old SL advice needed

I've always loved the Mercedes SL series cars.

Recently an 83 380SL has come up for sale by me. It's black/gray with

125,000 miles. Looks very clean in the pictures i've seen. Having never owned an old Merc before, would this be a car I could use everyday? When I go look at it, what should I check for? It's at a dealer so hopefully it will have service records but i'm not counting on it. Lastly, how much should I expect to pay? I was hoping I could get a great deal right before winter. It does have the factory hard top on the car right now. And if there is anything else you can add about the 380SL, i'd love to learn as much as I can. Thanks.
Reply to
Elma
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There are some special interest SL sites that may be helpful, do a Google search for them. The 3.8L V-8 isn't very powerful yet the chassis is relatively heavy so a 380SL's performance is bland - if that's OK with you.

Early 3.8L V-8s had a single timing chain - most were converted to dual chains for durability, be sure the one you buy, if any, has been too.

Reply to
T.G. Lambach

Just open the oil cap and you can tell if it has double chain or not... double chain is like 1" width as compared to 1/2" for the single chain.

Reply to
Tiger

What does the soft top look like?

And it will be underpowered. (find a 560SL)

Reply to
Save Da World

What was the US speed limit again? 70 miles?

Ximinez

Reply to
The Spanish Inquisition

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