Manual Gearbox: 1973 Mercedes-Benz 350SL R107

The Mercedes-Benz R107 series roadster/coupes were sold from 1971 through 1989.  This remarkably long production life is credited to the graceful design and mechanical robustness that gave the cars of a great reputation and kept buyers returning to the showroom each year without the need for drastic changes.  The market for these cars is good right now for buyers and should start to pick up right around the time that AI makes us all unemployed and gasoline is only sold in small jugs at specialty shops. Find this 1973 Mercedes-Benz 350SL offered for $8500 in Salt Lake City, UT via craigslist. Tip from Erik202.

5-Speed Manual Swapped R107: 1981 Mercedes-Benz 380SL

This next car is offered by the seller as a "project" but it is much nicer than 99% of the projects offered for sale...it passes smog and has a manual gearbox swapped behind the 3.8 liter V8.  Sure, it needs some cosmetic work on the interior and needs new rear glass, but the real kicker is that these R107 Mercedes-Benz coupes are so under-priced in the market compared to anything else with two seats and German build quality.  Buy one. Buy another.  Get a barn.  Make the news in 30 years. Find this 1981 Mercedes-Benz 380SL offered for $5500 in Concord, CA via craigslist.

Future Collectible: 1974 Mercedes-Benz 450 SL R107

I don't want to say this too loudly because I might jinx it, but the gorgeous Mercedes-Benz R107 generation SL roadster is probably near the bottom of its depreciation curve.  Prices are cheap, particularly compared to older 60s Benzes with 2-doors but it offers a more sophisticated ride for a bargain price.  The R107 was introduced in 1971 and lasted for an incredibly long 18 years of production and was finally replaced in 1989 by the smoother but less cool looking R129, but if you want a deal on a classic, reliable and drivable 2-seat roadster, the R107 is the way to go.  Find this 1974 Mercedes-Benz 450 SL offered for $7888 in San Rafael, CA via craigslist.

White Knight: 1985 Mercedes-Benz 380 SL R107

Tip from Jeff who writes: As a kid, I remember that my mother LOVED this things. One of my earlier car related memories is of her and I driving down the road in one while she euphorically chanted, "Oh my god! Oh my god!!" She was genuinely excited... about driving a car. Mom and I have too much water under the bridge nowadays, but I do love that about her. If I had this kind of "expendable change" lying around I would buy it for her.  Find this 1985 Mercedes-Benz 380 SL offered for $8995 in Houston, TX via craigslist.

Auction Watch: 1973 Mercedes 450SL

Find this 1973 Mercedes 450SL for sale in Chalfont, PA bid to $2,125 on eBay with a Buy it Now of $6950.00 ending on Saturday.   The Lorinser body kit and pristine BBS Mahle wheels would be so much more appealing if the car was not painted a shade of turkey gravy!

Stuttgart Lake City: 1974 Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC C107

I've never claimed to understand the classic car market, but for the life of me, I can't understand why the R107/C107 Mercedes-Benz SL/SLC are so cheap in today's "everything that is old is cool and gold" marketplace.  I probably should just keep my mouth shut and pack my garage full of cheap examples of these...but I'm just gonna sit here and ponder out loud.  Find this 1974 Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC offered for $3,000 near SF Bay Area, CA via craigslist.

Do You See One Oh Seven? 1975 Mercedes-Benz 280SLC

Most of the best deals on cars for sale around the web come from private sellers, but occasionally a car ends up at a small dealer or private consignment shop that is still desirable despite the undesirable price markup.  But, everybody's gotta eat, right?  Find this 1975 Mercedes-Benz 280SL offered here on eBay for $13,900 in Pleasanton, CA.

Crane Owned: 1982 Mercedes-Benz 500SL AMG

Harvey Crane Jr was the man behind the company known as Crane Cams  that has been building and selling custom cams since 1953.  Crane pass away in 2013, but not before being inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame, East Coast Drag Racing Hall of Fame, and doing more for the automotive valve than just about anybody else.  To honor his legacy, you could buy one of his camshafts for your hot rod or you could buy his old Mercedes.  Find this 1982 Mercedes Benz 500SL offered for an undisclosed price in Saddle River, NJ via craigslist. Tip from Cory.

Auction Watch: 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560SL Roadster

Take a look at this 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560SL Roadster here on eBay bidding for $6,125 with auction ending Friday at 7PM PST.

Portfolio Mismanagement: 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SL R107

The Mercedes-Benz R107 2-door roadster has been a pretty good value for the past decade or so, with prices languishing around the cost of a good engine rebuild.  That might be changing in the next few years as Hagerty has registered a serious uptick in value according to their online reports, but that doesn't mean you can't find a cheap version with the big V8 and a King Kong hood ornament.  Find this 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SL offered for $2500 in Rhode Island via craigslist.  Tip from Art C.

Euro Style R107: 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300SL

The R107 generation Mercedes-Benz two-seat drop-top mated the mechanical components of the W114 sedan with the engines from the W108.  This paradigm of reliability (yes K2, 80s Germans cars are reliable...ish) was packaged from 1971 through 1989 under one of the best looking bodies ever to come from Stuttgart any auto manufacturer. Even the post 1974 US market editions with cow-catcher bumpers looked good, but a Euro market slim bumper version with a manual gearbox for a few grand -- be still my beating heart!!  Find this 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300SL offered for $3,900 somewhere in Southern California via cars.com.  Tip from Steven.

5k: 4-Speeds, All Class: 1980 Mercedes-Benz 280SL R107

The Mercedes-Benz R107 series roadster/coupes were sold from 1971 through 1989.  This remarkably long production life is credited to the graceful design and mechanical robustness that gave the cars of a great reputation and kept buyers returning to the showroom each year without the need for drastic changes.  The market for these cars is good right now for buyers and should start to pick up right around the time we are all riding around in driverless electric hovering google tubes and gasoline is only sold in small jugs at specialty shops.  Enjoy the gasoline while you can by picking up this 1980 Mercedes-Benz 280SL R107 offered for $5500 in Troutdale, OR via craigslist.  Tip from Alex V.

15k: Low Mile Original: 1975 Mercedes-Benz 450SL R107

The R107 generation Mercedes two-seater mated the mechanical components of the W114 sedan with the engines from the W108.  Everything was wrapped under one of the best looking bodies ever to come from Stuttgart and even the post 1974 US market editions with cow-catcher bumpers looked gorgeous. Find this 1975 Mercedes-Benz 450 SL with only 19k miles on the odometer for sale in Portland, OR currently bidding for $15,200 with a few hours to go.

10k: 570 SL: 1985 Mercedes-Benz 380SL R107 w\ GM LT1 V8

The Mercedes-Benz R107 was introduced in 1971 as a 2-seat soft-top roadster (with optional hard-top) and relied heavily on chassis components borrowed from the W114 E-Class and engines from the W116 S-Class.  The iconic shape of the R107 lasted for an incredibly long 18 years of production and was finally replaced in 1989 by the smoother but less cool looking R129.  Find this 1985 Mercedes-Benz 380 SL with GM LT1 V8 swap for sale in Evansville, IN currently bidding on ebay for $1,131 reserve-not-met with buy-it-now of $10,500.  Thanks to tip from Jim K.