Back in 1971, when the first V8-powered Mercedes Benz 350SL Roadster was introduced to the public at the Frankfurt Auto Show, who would have guessed that this model would become the most successful open motorcar in Mercedes' long and illustrious history. Built for over 17 years and constantly refined by the engineering department, the R107's final evolution, the US-delivery-only 560SL, was truly an impressive motorcar, as evidenced by its suggested retail price, which had increased over 500% from its original 1971 sticker.
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More poised and more powerful than a Rolls Royce Corniche, less of a poseur's car than a Porsche 911 Cabriolet, more prestigious than a Jaguar, and more practical than a Ferrari Mondial, the 560SL would set another milestone: it would become the last classic Mercedes Roadster built!
Its successor, the R129, was the first in a line of plasticized SLs, overweight and filled with computers and electronic gadgets that would make long-term upkeep prohibitively expensive and an eventual restoration outright impossible.
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The 1989 Mercedes 560SL presented here, VIN *WDBBA48D4AKA092391*, is from the last year of production. It was factory-ordered in triple black by none other than Mississippi blues legend John Lee Hooker (1917 - 2001) who resided in Palo Alto, Calif. at the time and babied his avowed "pride and joy" -- one of eight cars, mostly Mercedes-Benzes, he owned -- until his passing in 2001. The SL is a genuine California car that has never left the Golden State and still carries its original California license plates front and back.
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Upon John Lee Hooker's passing, his son and the trustee of his late father's estate, John Lee Hooker Jr., had the car auctioned off right here in our beautiful mission town, where it was acquired by a retired couple from Camarillo. Twelve years later, these nice folks are forced to give up driving due to advancing age; hence this unique collector's item is being made available again.
Note John Lee Hooker's scrawled signature on the power of attorney form above right. This superior, vastly influential artist and Rock and Roll hall of famer remained illiterate all his life, at the same time being a highly respected father figure to generations of musicians, from the Rolling Stones to Eric Clapton and Led Zeppelin, who recorded covers of his immortal songs.
Let's now inspect this marvelous motorcar in more detail, starting up front, with the engine compartment.
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This 560SL's engine bay is absolutely untouched, original, and exceptionally clean. It houses the original 5.6-liter SOHC V8 motor made entirely from REYNOLDS 390 light alloy, featuring BOSCH KE Motronic fuel injection. Giving the contemporary Porsche 911 Carrera a run for the money, it takes a mere 7.5 seconds to propel this veritable street rocket from a standing start to 60 mph. Top speed of the 560SL is 137mph, again, clearly Porsche 911 territory!
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The engine runs quiet and smooth, yet it pulls strongly from idle all the way to its 6,000 rpm redline. No untoward noises, smoke, or fluid leaks spoil the favorable first impression. Over-engineered in the true meaning of the term, it should provide many years of service, needing nothing more than regular maintenance.
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The good news continues down under. This SL is perfectly rust free and features all of its original finishes. It has never had rust nor needed any rust repair, nor is there any sign that the car has been involved in any fender bender. Click on the image to the left for an XXL-sized view |
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Above photos showing the undercarriage in more detail. Please make sure to enlarge them to their full size.
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Resplendent in its DB 050 (black) finish, the car's coachwork is virtually unmarked. No dings, dents, bubbles or any other blemishes mar the smoth and glossy surface. Apart from one very small touch up on the left rear fender, the paint finish could be called flawless. Having had just two owners in almost a quarter of a century, this sporting Daimler was never used as a daily driver, just as a pleasure car for sunny weekend outings, accumulating a mere 5,000 miles annually, on average.
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Mercedes' factory Gullideckel wheels feature chrome plating, are shod with MICHELIN radial tires in the correct dimension 205/65 R15.
Gold-plated fender trim was installed on Mr. Hooker's request and could be removed without a trace; we've retained it for authenticity's sake.
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Inside, the world's ultimate tanning machine exudes a luxurious Old World ambiente.
Burl Walnut veneer and Italian ROSER leather set dominant interior accents, worthy of a Rolls Royce or Bentley! Velour carpeting and floor mats are extra clean. Options include power windows, power-operated passenger-side rearview mirror, vacuum-operated power locking system, automatic climate control, and cruise control. Everything works as it should.
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The factory BECKER Grand Prix Electronic stereo radio, which also controls the HIRSCHMANN power antenna, works flawlessly, and is accompanied by a trunk-mounted CD-changer. Everything is stock and orignial here, from the steering wheel to the shift knob.
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560SL's comfortable leather chairs are height-adjustable and provide outstanding lateral support. The hides have aged beautifully and display just the tiniest bit of patina, barely enough to confirm they are "the real thing," not MB-Tex vinyl.
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Area behind the seats provides plenty of space for a set of duffle bags and golf clubs, or a furry companion or two.
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Black German canvas soft top is brand spankin' new. It's the expensive, genuine Mercedes-Benz item, with the tan herringbone fabric headliner and tri-pointed star embossed in the clear plastic rear window.
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The difference between a convertible and a Roadster is that the convertible top can be stowed out of sight, instead of leaving an unsighly bulge that has to be covered with a tonneau cover. Often showing signs of corrosion, on this car the convertible top bin is 100% rust free and as beautifully preserved as the rest of the car.
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Matching factory steel hardtop is in primo condition as well.
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Note original California license plate with current sticker and Mercedes of Beverly Hills license plate frame.
Let's move on to the trunk now.
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SL's trunk is fully lined with fine velour carpeting.
Factory spare -- still with red dot and instruction label attached -- and complete factory tool kit rest in their own dry, rust free compartment below the trunk floor. Everything is super clean here as well, close to concours condition!
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Revealing pictures of factory spare and trunk bottom -- this Benz has always been kept inside, away from the elements.
Ready for a test drive?
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Veterans' Day 2013 provided the perfect opportunity to excercise this Star Cruiser and snap some photos along the way.
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Driving this gorgeous Roadster, especially with the top down, one enters an uplifting zone of well-being. The car possesses an aura of unmatched quality and elegance, not found in any of its competitors. Park it in a circular driveway of the most expensive neighborhood and it still looks perfectly right, proving that no car ages as beautifully as a Mercedes R107 SL.
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Equipped with new BILSTEIN gas shocks on all 4 corners as well as various new suspension components (a $3,700.00 invoice for recent work that included a transmission reseal, too, accompanies the car), the ride is smooth and totally rattle-free, just as you would expect from a car of this caliber. Acceleration is powerful, accompanied by the growl of an old-fashioned big block engine. If you never had the opportunity to drive a 560SL, you can't possibly be prepared for the kick-in-the-pants experience!
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The SL surprises with a level of comfort and performance unsurpassed by the majority of cars built today. Many experts predict 560SLs to become blue chip collectibles within the next decade, following in the footsteps of their predecessors. Recently rising prices for nice examples like this one seem to confirm this.
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This particular car truly stands out: last year of production, California car with major celebrity provenance, factory triple black, low mileage, clean Carfax, and beautifully preserved. What more could you possibly wish for?
Boogie Chillen!
Addendum:
We sold Johnny Lee Hooker's Mercedes in Winter of 2013.
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