This 38K Mile 1984 Mercedes-Benz 380 SL is a Classic Example of What Makes a Vintage Benz So Amazing

SOLD While the 560SL is unarguably the most collectible of the R107 SL lineup, the previously overlooked 380s are coming in to their own. In many ways, the 380 was the ultimate incarnation of the original R107, with a more classic suspension, more chrome, the classic door handles, the bunt-cake wheels, and a very light aluminum V8 under the hood that emphasized balance over power. The final two years of 380 had a factory dual row timing chain installed, erasing a rare design error from Mercedes-Benz that cost them a lot of customer trust in the earlier cars.
This car would have had a sticker price in the $45K range, more than four times what the original 350SL cost in 1972. It was a true luxury item, built to exacting standards, and arguably built by the finest engineers and construction team in the automotive industry. Driving an SL like this one reflected taste, wealth, and class on its owner.
The transition to modern design standards was easier on Mercedes-Benz than many other car makers, because they were always a forward thinking company that valued engineering over profit. These cars were not built to a dollar amount - they were built to an engineering standard, with a price put on them afterward. Innovations like crumple zones, modern seatbelts, electronic engine management, side-impact bracing, and more allowed Mercedes-Benz to breeze through the modernization of engine and safety standards in cars, something a lot of other companies suffered through.
To sum up, Mercedes-Benz products of this vintage were some of the finest vehicles ever produced, and were made to last indefinitely - an engineering platform no longer feasible today. We will be seeing cars like this on the street long after other cars of the era - and more modern eras - have faded away.
SOLD**SOLD**SOLD

[@manofthehour6856]

"Wht the hell is made in Germany today....other than some questionable pornography?" . . . oh Bill, the commentary is almost as great as the cars!

[@azariahamari8300]

InstaBlaster.

[@wernerbloemwagen6878]

Thís is Bobby Ewing and DALLAS personified. BEAUTIFUL!

[@Aldo-Music-Channel]

What a beautiful car! Bill is the best, fantastic informative insight that is very much appreciated 👌 👍 😎 🎵 🎵

[@trevordantzler5781]

He never fails " Gulfstream....." hate to see people go hungry".

[@DragosDomnara]

hahaha I thought the same thing

[@arminsteinke2301]

Yes Bill its finally time! This bird issue has to come to an end in a epic apocalyptic massacre Endgame.

[@brspeedysgarage]

I didn’t know the 380s were V8s, I figured a 6. Interesting

[@EnriqueLopez-hb5jn]

Nice example of a 380 SL, awesome condition, inside & out,👍👍👍👍👍

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

I worked at a Mercedes dealership body shop in the early 2000's and I wasn't impressed with the build quality of their vehicles at the time. But I do like the older cars. Especially the styling. BMW too. But the over technical modern vehicles have nothing that I want. I've worked on several 2020-2022 models at the body shop I work at now and they're clearly going steadily down hill in terms of quality. This is probably the newest version that I like.

[@805NAVE]

22:22 😂😂😂😂 I love it Bill lol! Gorgeous car too

[@kingofmexico5268]

Damn birds 🐦

[@tylerleff6605]

Absolutely wonderful video. Super informative, I really enjoyed it. You are very knowledgeable and hysterical. Made my day!

[@jonboy9912]

Those US bumpers and headlights are just awful and not original!

[@antonioescobar6413]

Immaculate....what a jewel...

[@richardcollins5918]

Woww this car is mint, beautiful example of a preserved R107

[@csfan65]

Our family doctor had this car in the late '70s and I used to just sit and stare at it. The car became my dream car then and it still is today. I will have one of these someday!

[@MikeBMW]

Bill, great review, love the car! The bird left and is now flying airplanes to better follow your cool reviews. You know, those birds can be rather wily! :) Oh, and your detailer deserves at least a C+ on that.

[@cynergyfinancial]

This guy is hilarious I love his commentary he's very detailed and brings a sense of humor in his description .

[@RootBeerGMT]

As a pilot, he makes me laugh

[@vincentvincent4898]

Beautiful Car! Bill, did you major in communications? You should have your own talk show. Your wit, the depth of your vocabulary and correctness of your grammar is impressive, and should be utilized in radio or T.V. In the meantime, keep up the car commentaries!

[@deltaman3921]

...........no need to apologize Bill, I agree with you wholeheartedly regarding the bumpers and headlights on these beautiful cars. I'll compare these with ANYTHING producedHo nowadays, hands down. Truly a beautiful beautiful car from the ground up, I'd love to own one.

[@stephenfisher7255]

Just love Bills cars and his halarious commentaries. Helping me through the corona virus lockdown here in Brisbane Australia.... Magnificent Mercedes R107 . My Mum had one in the 80’s to get her to golf ...I Loved getting dropped at school in it ...

[@jamesfrench7299]

Stephen Fisher a private school boy hmmm?

[@martinlyons7463]

Great to listen to you again Bill, it’s morning here in New Zealand 🇳🇿 and I am smiling while having breakfast 😊. Thank you. Esp as I also have a Merc.

[@DavePlaysTrombone]

84-85 380SL is the absolute best entry-level R107. It could be easily argued that it's also the best for someone who wants to daily drive a 107.

[@rachelcontreraz4885]

I love to hear the passion in your explanation and in the delivery. No doubt you are a true auto aficionado!

[@Rockyxplore]

Great Video! love the comments and wit! the color is Signal Red not bright red ....Bobby Ewing drove a 450sl I owned an Olde English Red 380sl..the color is the color of mahogany -gorgeous! w palomino interior ...very slow !!! the car couldn't get on the L.I.E. without trepidation so I bought 560sl black w maroon interior....what a difference! I loved both cars! and am now buying a '84 red 380sl w palomino interior soo go figure!

[@JorgeJasso-x9w]

This gentleman could easily convince Mercedes Benz to buy it back! 😂❤

[@stevehalbert9092]

Purchased Mercedes 1980 450 SL today April 8,2020 in New Orleans.The vehicle is classic and timeless.Multiple people asked to buy car from me while cruising around with top off.Commentator does informative with comedic comments.Bil probably lost his calling as a comic

[@stammelblindarcher4477]

I have an '89 560, the last year of the R107. 148+k and counting. Thank hou for reviewing that 380.

[@Duncanmable]

Bill is a magician: top down, hardtop behind the vehicle, then soft top up and hardtop gone, then soft top back down and in the mirror you can see the hard top back behind the vehicle. Magic or editing?

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

The magic of Bill

[@matthewvasquez9278]

Love your Reviews, funny, informative and entertaining

[@McFlysGarage]

Glad I picked up my 380SL before they get popular

[@anthonybertone2336]

You need a drink, remember it’s 5 o clock somewhere

[@SpencerF6]

You're a legend...!!! Subscribed!

[@sachemrock]

Another great video Bill! I agree with you regarding the federal regulation bumpers and headlights, it’s what we know in the US. Would the car be even more beautiful without those bumpers, the answer is a resounding yes but this is still a beautiful design! Keep up the good work and keep fighting the good fight against the planes and birds! 😆

[@formerdeputyassistant1775]

So precious. I own a 1982 red and palomino. 68k, wish it looked like that.

[@HeCute_]

Ahhhh the more I look at videos of old Mercedeses like this I wanna buy one lol. Great video Bill

[@jimguida604]

I had an 85 for 20 years and it was a joy. I sure miss it.

[@sethhuber25]

I want one of these! I have a 380sel and it is a big boat. I feel like this engine could motivate that car a little more than it does in mine

[@ronaldtartaglia4459]

Bill, I just love you reviews so much I can watch you talk about anything. I try to find the most obscure quote in each one of your videos for fun. And this one I love that you compare the latch to a latch that would be on a tiger tank hilarious I knew I made my comment too soon. "Gulfstream I hate to see people going hungry" I had to stop the video that point because I was going to wet my pants.😂

[@tyvanhworkout]

Love your commentary and glad u stated the unthinkable....and I'm with you...I love the U.S. bumpers and headlights! The Euro spec looks cheap and chintzy; don't know why everyone loves them so! I'd buy it in a heartbeat but unfortunately it's not in my budget. I have a modern day C-class coupe which I love but this thing is what made mercedes Mercedes!

[@292carroll]

Bill, we’ve had a great KZbin relationship I’ve enjoyed all your car reviews but I just discovered Marianne - wowie wow wow!!!

[@brynleytalbot778]

Dan Carroll The porncar presenter. And "Arnie" her sidekick cameraman. But this 380SL evokes American Gigolo and Richard Gere which outclasses even MarieAnne.

[@mtomiuk8133]

Hello, I am looking at an 1985 380 SL. It has some rust on the undercarriage with some flaking and two perforations the size of silver dollars. Can this be repaired? Is it a big deal? Thanks!

[@RootBeerGMT]

Ok, now I want one. 380 or 560-whatever. Just make it low miles with everything working

[@RONALD511]

DROVE ONE EXACTLY LIKE THIS 3 MONTH'S LOVED IT.

[@HerbzAutoCare]

Great video! Sounds like you're just mad you dont have a plane 😂

[@tajetaje9238]

I enjoy your videos Bill thank you for sharing it with us but this car for me is panography

[@vladimirtserademowitz5040]

Simply Stunning, nice to see a cherished Roadster still going. And BTW: #ClintonsKilledEpstein

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

The Clinton's didn't kill Epstein. hilary killed Epstein. Get it straight.

[@bdb5678]

ive gotta ask - can a 6'3, 250 lbs man fit in the drivers seat? thanks

[@gazistar5526]

Excellent review excellent narrator

[@lloyd63]

He's gonna go at it with the bird like Peter Griffin battled the chicken.

[@airkingflyer3515]

Wow what a pristine example

[@MrJones-ge5sl]

Always informative and entertaining...

[@SouthsideKidd550]

This car screams "Beverly Hills Cop"

[@joecapozzoli9449]

“When you pull up to the massage parlor” 😂

[@recl971]

Bill is the best

[@lloyd63]

Nice job by Dalton getting rid of that awful brake dust that blackens the front wheels.

[@MarkBarrey]

What the hell does to tonic mean, Bill

[@antonioescobar6413]

denoting the Germanic branch of the Indo-European language family.

[@antonioescobar6413]

Teutonic....

[@HeCute_]

Antonio Escobar , Teutonic just means anything Germanic, not just language. Although specifically it means ethnic groups from Northern Europe(but not the Celts)

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

It's not "to tonic" but rather "2 tonics" for don't drink and not drive 2 tonics. What else could it possibly mean?

[@lp2565]

Not on the dealer inventory. Must have sold as soon as the video hit. Damn.

[@PiranhaJaw22]

those brake pads are worn and squealiing

[@gouyad]

Is this still available? I see all the cars as Sale Pending?

[@V8_screw_electric_cars]

500 was the best but that was Europe only.

[@jakotadones4300]

Love your videos! Quick question, where in the car do they store the chrome handles needed to take the hard top?

[@jakotadones4300]

Oh haha nevermind :) time 21:47

[@javierbarrientos9927]

The soft top is operated electrically or by hannd?

[@timh1907]

By hand

[@anthonybaker967]

Beautiful👌👌

[@TheSimonhammond]

Devon Miles.

[@NeverTalkToCops1]

IF you drive the thing, it will be an endless money pit.

[@timomomomo969]

Money pit if you have a Chrysler budget maybe. So stick to chryslers.