Readers’ Rides:
Mercedes-Benz 420SL
Added on Oct. 1 by duffelpud
I recently acquired this low-production European SL from the friend of the original owner’s son. It was shipped over from Germany in the 80’s as a gray market MB and has been meticulously cared for with the exception of having been parked for too long and not driven enough. The most recent lapse resulted in a disturbing amount of smoke in the exhaust. That’s when I came into posession of the vehicle and discovered the culprit was not a blown engine, as thought, but deteriorated valve stem seals (a relatively easy fix).
This car is a dream to drive with its mid-range acceleration reminescent of a recent ride in a Pitts aerobatic biplane. I’ve yet to top it out but at 125mph there are plenty of horses still waiting beneath its ominous bonnet. I never would have imagined owning such a dream of an automobile, but a little luck and perfect timing brought ‘Sugar’ home.
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