1983 Mercedes-Benz 380 SL 2-Door Coupe
2021.0001.0017, Savoy Collection
Engine: 234 cu. in. (3.8L) Light alloy block, OHC, V8
Output: 156 HP @ 4,750 RPM
Transmission: 4-Speed Automatic
Wheelbase: 97 in.
Overall Length: 182 in.
Weight: 3,505 lbs.
Top Speed: 115 MPH
No. Produced: unknown
Original Price: $43,030
Manufacturer: Daimler-Benz
Daimler-Benz held a firm policy pre-war. To produce great automobiles, one cannot chase fads or modish trends. Emphasis must be on technical excellence, safety, a comfortable driving experience, high-class workmanship, quality engines, and body styling. However, in 1945, the company made this statement, “Daimler-Benz has ceased to exist.” The company wasn’t dead and its resurrection after the war was miraculous, but it was time for a change.
The 380 SL debuted in 1980 as the latest version of the Sport Leicht series, which first launched in the 1950s. At that time, the SL series was one of Mercedes-Benz’s longest-running and most iconic model lines. In contrast to their boxy sedans, the 380 SL featured a sleek and graceful design, embodying a sense of luxurious sportiness. Mercedes-Benz successfully combined the exhilarating driving experience of a sports car with the comfort and luxury that owners had come to expect. The SL series demonstrated that Mercedes-Benz could reinvent itself without sacrificing the quality, craftsmanship, and technical excellence for which it is renowned.