The holy grail of 280 SL Roadster is the US spec four speed 1971 variant. This is a real and documented '71 with not only four-speed manual transmission, but factory air conditioning and limited slip differential from new. It is estimated that 1971's with this option combination built for the US market number less than 25. I've attached the original factory build card to back up thestatementsabout the original options.
Here is how the numbers break out:1971 US spec cars built: 830% with manual transmission: 20% (estimated) 170 cars (rounding up)% of manual transmission with factory air: 10%This means that approximately 17 cars were built with both options.Number of cars built with limited slip: Unknown, but small fraction of manual transmission cars.
The car is a nice driver with one repaint on an otherwise very original car. It was delivered new to upstate NY where it would live most of its live in garaged storage and used in a manner that prevented rust and corrosion. The paint was done in the 1980's.
Overall, the body is good. The paint has chips and other touch up areas. In general it is well applied but given the age of it, it is nothing more than driver quality at this point. The trim is very good with most of it just about new in appearance. The rear window surround is pitted and the door handles are nice original. The rest of the trim I wouldn't touch. The felting in the windows and door jambs is original.
Inside the car is a very tidy original interior. The MB tex on the seats is in good condition but like many of these cars, the seats have compressed after years of use. Thecarpetsare original and very nice. Th ewood is also original and straight butdefinitelyneeds refinishing. The instruments are all original and in good shape and function well.
The car has its original tools and manuals as well as its original hard top.
Theenginebay is clean...notgrimy at all. It has not been detailed in any way. The underside is very clean with no rust or rust repair. The trunk has its original floor and is also very clean. It has a spare and original jack. The soft top is original with no holes or tears. It does have some fraying on the nit spots. The hard top is the original that came with the car. The roof liner has some stains but the top is otherwise inperfectlyfine condition.
The car starts and drives well. It is areliableand well sorted driver.
This car can be purchased and enjoyed as is or can be treated to a restoration to being it back to showroom. The starting paint is anexcellentsolid car with no rust or rust repair and very good mechanicals.
Of all 280 SL roadsters built, the most sought after are the 1971's. Of those, cars with their original manual transmissions and factory air reign supreme with a large cadre of buyers and strong demand at all times. Here is your chance to acquire a documented car at a very reasonable reserve. Take a look at what '71's with manual sell for.....you'll be hard pressed to find an air manual US spec car to ever sell publicly.
Good luck. As always, I welcome questions..just click on the contact seller link. I have dozens more pictures..just tell me what you need to see. The car is in East Hartford, CT and inspections are encouraged andwelcomed.