FUN WITH A RED HOT FINISH !!
RARE CARFAX DOCUMENTED 48,500 MILE CALIFORNIA CAR
HISTORY
This absolutely gorgeous example of pristine Mercedes Benz history was purchased new by Mr. Ken Bernstein on October 7, 990 at Jim Slemons Imports, 301 Quail Street, ewport Beach, alifornia. This is recorded in the original Mercedes Benz Owners Service and Warranty Information booklet that is included with the car.
The rest is Carfax history, ocumenting the low miles this fine automobile has today, aving been driven an average of just under 2,000 miles a year!
A little over 4 years ago, purchased this classic from an elderly couple, ex and Arlene Osborn. Their title had been issued to them on June 29, 000 when, t that date, he title documented that the odometer reading was 23,789 miles. The miles on the car, hen I purchased it, ere around 32,000.So! My wife and I have enjoyed over 15,000 miles of memories in the past 4 years, ncluding trips to see the grand kids, own to San Diego for my 50 year high school class reunion, nd more. However, e both agree that, t this point in our lives we need to streamline, ell a car or two, art with some toys, ake a vacation, nd let someone else enjoy this excellent tribute to German manufacture and engineering.
COSMETICS
The R129 500SL is one of the last, est Mercedes-Benz automobiles. It's designer, he legendary Bruno Sacco, alled it "the most perfect car of my career." Furthermore, he quality of materials and engineering throughout is unmatched by pretty much anything sold since these cars were new. With this fine, ow mileage example in mind, ou may well decide that now is the time to GET THE BEST AND FORGET THE REST!When I first saw this Mercedes, thought "Oh, y goodness." Here is a sports car that looks, n my opinion, very bit as good in person as it does in the photographs. From where I stand, t is PRISTINE original. Obviously, t has always been garaged and well cared for. But there's more.
The following is just one example of the good fortune that has followed this car:When you get a chance, ake another look at some of the photographs showing the air dam below the front bumper. It has NEVER BEEN HIT or repaired. NOT A SCRATCH. This is very rare because, s I'm sure you know, he comparatively frail air dams on many cars are quite vulnerable when heading into a parking space with even a medium height curb. And everywhere you look it's the same. The entire car, NCLUDING the air dam has never been hit. The FACTORY ORIGINAL PAINT looks, o me, ery close to the finish of a Mercedes that has just driven off the showroom floor. Of course, here is no cancerous rust.
Another thing. NO front end ROAD RASH. You need look no further for evidence of the legendary impervious quality of the original paint on this automobile, ust one of many reasons why a buyer was willing to step up, n 1991, nd pay well over $100,000 in today's dollars to purchase this high end luxury automobile.
All chrome, ubber, enses, nsignias, lass, ngine compartment cosmetics and more are in the same superb to near-new condition. The windshield is excellent. Includes 4 matching high-speed Mastercraft Touring LSR 255/55R16 radials that I put on the car shortly after purchasing it. Today, see little sign of tread wear, nd the sidewalls are without crack or evidence of aging.
Furthermore, can find NO PARKING LOT DINGS ... anywhere. And no touched-up scratches. On the trunk lid is a very small blemish where someone probably has closed it on something. My best guess is that whatever was put inside at the time was just a little too high, nd upon closing, he lid was tapped from underneath, ausing a very small dimple outside. You have to look close.
THE INTERIOR leather must have been well cared for with conditioner over the years (which I have done as well), s the seats are beautiful and supple, ithout cracking or damage. All carpets, ncluding trunk carpeting, he area behind the seats, loor mats, oor panels, isors, hrome interior door openers, INT CONDITION leather steering wheel, ash, ear view mirror, earshift knob, ood grain decor, ard top headliner, auges, eat belts, enter console, witches and more are in superb original condition. This is a fresh smelling, on-smoker car. It doesn't get much better than this!The previous owners assured me that the soft top was in good condition, ut I've never removed the hard top, r inspected the soft top personally. I'm an old surfer dude, nd when I was young did battle with the sun. But the sun won! And so I've left that beautiful hard top in place.
MECHANICS
But the best is yet to come! This red rocket runs and drives, n many ways, ike a brand new car. The ground-breaking M119 dual overhead cam, 2-valve, ll-aluminum V-8 engine fires right up, as excellent oil pressure, oes not smoke or drip oil, uns cool and strong, nd does everything that these legendary power plants have been doing so well for so many years.
Matched with a surprisingly lively 4-speed automatic, he engine delivers tons of smooth rev range - and sounds magnificent doing it. And the well-tuned chassis handles just about everything you can throw at it with grace, omfort and agility. The transmission falls in gear nicely, nd shifts like a good Mercedes should. The brakes and emergency brake also work very well.The power steering pump will sometimes leave a small amount of fluid on the garage floor. This has not changed during the 4 years that I've owned it and, n my opinion is minimal. My Mercedes mechanic checks the reservoir every once in a while, nd occasionally will add a small amount to top it off. Otherwise, e says, ust leave it alone.
WHAT WORKS? All power windows, auges (including the clock, hich keeps good time), teering column adjustment, teering lock with ignition/starter switch, eadlights, ncluding high and low beams, eadlights 'on' warning buzzer (activated when the engine is off and you open the driver door), rake lights, unning lights, ear license plate light, runk light, nterior reading lights, oor panel lights, ront and rear turn signal lights, ash turn signal flashers, mergency flashers, nd the emergency brake release and console storage compartment light. To the best of my knowledge all dash warning lights work.
The AC blows ice cold, nd the heater works well, s does the automatic climate control adjuster. Also working is the sliding arm rest (on top of the center console), he radio, peakers, indshield wipers, ll AC and heat vent adjusters, igarette lighter, sh tray release button, ighter and ash tray cover, mall center console wood grain storage compartment cover, emote rear view mirror adjuster, entral locking, ncluding trunk and gas cap locks (activated either by an interior switch or by turning the outside door lock key in either door), he latch to open the center console storage compartment, river and passenger chrome seat back release levers, ight and left exterior door mirror remotes, eat belts, ll power seat adjusters, ront window defogger, he rear storage compartment latches and more.
Some of the things that I have never used (and have therefore not tested) are the adaptive damping system adjustment switch, now chain switch, he switch to store the steering column memory, eat memory switches, oll bar switches, oft top and hard top switches, eadlight windshield wipers, ear window defroster, he anti theft alarm system, nd the heated seats. Based on the condition of the rest of the car, here's little question in my mind that these things work as well. Currently, ne of the hinges on the lid of the driver door storage compartment is loose, eaving the inside of the lid not quite flush with the door panel. Also, he Sony CDX-A30 compact disc player does not work.The above is based on my personal observation, nd is not a professional inspection or warranty. You can expect that some things may not work up to your own, r your mechanics standards, nd that work will most likely be found that you or your mechanic would like to do.
INCLUDED
Included with the car are receipts documenting work that I've had done over time, uch as regular synthetic oil changes and, hortly after I purchased the car, ew front brake pads, new battery, erpentine belt, eplaced coolant, rake fluid, ower steering fluid, nd a complete transmission service.
Also included are good California title and current registration, ast paid a couple of months ago (when the car was most recently smogged), copy of the previously mentioned former title in Rex and Arlene Osborn's name, ustom folding dash sun reflector, actory spare and jack. Bill of Sale will include "This car sold as is, ith no guarantees or warranties expressed or implied." The next to last photograph above shows other items included, uch as an as-new, eather-proof custom fit car cover by California Car Covers, actory first aid kit, ercedes roadside emergency kit, leather storage packet containing the ORIGINAL 1991 Mercedes Owner's Manual, Car Care Guide, M and FM Stereo Radio with Cassette Player Operation Guide, upplemental Restraint system booklet and the previously mentioned Mercedes-Benz Owners Service and Warranty Information - 1991. I had 3 extra keys made at Walters Mercedes-Benz in Riverside, alifornia, hich are a nice addition to the key I already had, lus the remote key.
PAYMENT TERMS
$500 deposit via Paypal on or before 2 days from close of auction. Balance due on or before 7 days from close of auction via cash (in person), r bank wire transfer of funds, lease.
FUN WITH A RED HOT FINISH
One of these days you just might open the door of that special sports car, trap yourself in, nd take off down the highway. Such an exciting automobile as this beautiful 1991 Mercedes 500SL may well suit you perfectly. Certainly this unspoiled, uperb running and driving, igh quality California classic is ready to go. This could be just the one you've been waiting for. Don't settle for less. When it's all said and done, ou can have FUN WITH A RED HOT FINISH !!
Any questions? Feel free to email or call me at (909) 838-9160
All the eBest,
Craig Kendall