Why This Car Is Special

The 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560SL sits at the top of the R107 SL lineup — the most powerful, most capable version of a roadster that Mercedes built continuously for 18 years, from 1971 through 1989. That run makes the R107 one of the longest-produced sports cars in automotive history, and the 560SL represents its final evolution. Mercedes introduced the 560SL for the 1986 model year specifically for the North American market, pairing the enlarged M117 5.6-liter V8 with a strengthened drivetrain to meet the performance expectations of American buyers who found the outgoing 380SL underpowered. The result was a car that could run 0 to 60 mph in around seven seconds — respectable for a 3,500-pound luxury roadster in the mid-1980s.

What made the 560SL particularly significant in its final years was how much technology Mercedes packed into a body design that dated back to 1971. By 1986, the 560SL came standard with four-wheel disc brakes, a driver airbag (SRS), and anti-lock brakes — safety features that were genuinely rare on American roads at the time. The ABS system alone put this car ahead of most domestic competition. The 560SL was also one of only a handful of cars sold in the United States in 1986 with a driver-side airbag as standard equipment. That combination of open-air grand touring character and genuine safety hardware helps explain why well-kept 560SLs continue to hold their value decades after production ended.

This particular car wears Smoke Silver Metallic over a black leather interior and comes with both the removable hardtop and the convertible soft top — giving the owner three distinct configurations depending on the weather and the occasion.

Features List

• M117 5.6L V8 engine with Bosch fuel injection
• 4-speed automatic transmission
• Limited-slip differential
• 4-wheel disc brakes
• ABS antilock braking system
• Driver airbag (SRS)
• Power steering
• Air conditioning
• Removable hardtop
• Convertible soft top
• Basket-weave alloy wheels
• Dual exhaust tips
• Wood-rim steering wheel
• Black leather bucket seats with headrests
• Center console
• Power windows
• Power mirrors
• AM/FM stereo with cassette
• Tachometer
• Clean undercarriage

Mechanical

The M117 engine in this 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560SL displaces 5,547cc and was rated at 227 horsepower and 279 lb-ft of torque when new. It is a naturally aspirated, single-overhead-cam V8 with Bosch K-Jetronic continuous fuel injection. The M117 was derived from the same engine family that powered the 450SEL 6.9, and in the 560SL it was paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the rear axle through a driveshaft with a flexible guibo coupling — a design that reduces drivetrain vibration and is a known maintenance item on these cars.

This car includes a limited-slip differential, which was a meaningful upgrade on the R107 platform. Combined with the rear semi-trailing arm independent suspension, the LSD improves traction and composure under power in a way that makes a noticeable difference on wet roads or when exiting corners with authority. The suspension geometry on the R107 uses unequal-length wishbones up front and the semi-trailing arms in the rear — a setup that delivers a well-damped ride without sacrificing handling predictability.

The braking system is fully up to the task: four-wheel ventilated disc brakes with ABS, which Mercedes fitted to the 560SL as standard equipment. Lifting on a hoist, the undercarriage of this car tells a useful story. The floor pans are solid, the structural rails are intact, and there is no evidence of prior rust remediation or body work below the rockers. For a nearly 40-year-old convertible, a clean undercarriage is one of the most important things a buyer can verify, and this one passes that inspection without qualification.

Interior

The cabin of this 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560SL is trimmed in black leather throughout. The bucket seats show the expected patina of a used car from this era — the leather has developed a natural softness and some light surface wear consistent with age — but the structure of both seats is intact and the bolstering holds its shape. The ribbed seat design is original to the R107 and gives the cabin its characteristic period-correct look.

The center console houses the 4-speed automatic shifter, and the dashboard follows the R107's familiar three-pod instrument layout, with a large central speedometer flanked by ancillary gauges. A tachometer is fitted, which was not standard on all R107 configurations. The gauge cluster in the photographs shows clearly labeled ANTILOCK and SRS indicator lights, confirming the presence of both systems. The odometer reads 60,423 miles.

The wood-rim steering wheel is an aftermarket piece — a three-spoke chrome-spoked unit with a warm-toned hardwood rim — that departs from the factory-original four-spoke leather wheel. Whether that registers as a positive or a negative is a matter of personal preference, but it is worth noting for buyers who prioritize originality. The shift knob appears to be a matching red-toned wood piece, consistent with the steering wheel. The AM/FM stereo cassette head unit in the dash appears to be a period-appropriate Mercedes unit. Power windows and power mirrors are functional factory equipment. Air conditioning is present.

Exterior

This 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560SL is finished in Smoke Silver Metallic — a medium-toned silver with a subtle warm undertone that suits the R107's long hood and fastback proportions well. The paint has not been subjected to any major respray work that is visible in the photographs, and the panel gaps are consistent and tight throughout. The chrome trim on the windshield surround, door handles, and rear bumper retains its detail without pitting. The rubber bumper overriders, a design feature added to U.S.-spec R107s to meet federal impact standards, are present and intact front and rear.

The car rides on the factory-style basket-weave alloy wheels — a design closely associated with the late-production R107 — wrapped in Hankook tires. The dual exhaust tips exit below the rear bumper on the driver's side, a configuration standard to the 560SL. Both the removable hardtop and the convertible soft top are included with this car. The hardtop, when fitted, transforms the 560SL's profile into something close to a fixed-roof coupe, with a noticeably stiffer and quieter character. The soft top allows the car to be driven as a proper open roadster. Having both in serviceable condition gives this car meaningful daily and seasonal versatility.

Conclusion

The 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560SL is the definitive version of the R107 — more engine displacement, more safety technology, and a long enough production history that parts and specialist knowledge are widely available. This example presents in Smoke Silver Metallic with a black leather interior, dual tops, a clean undercarriage, and an odometer reading just over 60,000 miles. The safety package — ABS, four-wheel discs, and driver airbag — was genuinely advanced for 1986 and adds a layer of confidence that earlier SL models simply do not offer. If you have been searching for a well-preserved 560SL that has not been through a respray or a rust repair, this car deserves a close look.

To ask questions or schedule an appointment to see this 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560SL in person, call Skyway Classics at 941-254-6608.

Disclaimer

Information found on the website is presented as given to us by the owner of the car, whether on consignment or from the owner we bought it from. Some Photos, materials for videos, descriptions and other information are provided by the consignor/seller and is deemed reliable, but Skyway Classics does not warranty or guarantee this information. Skyway Classics is not responsible for information that may incorrect or a publishing error. The decision to purchase should be based solely on the buyers personal inspection of the vehicle or by a professional inspection service prior to offer or purchase being made.