I know that it’s winter, and I know that it probably isn’t the best time of year to consider buying a classic convertible. However, is there anything wrong with being prepared? Winter will eventually end, and once the warm weather sets in, hitting the road in a car like this 1994 Mercedes-Benz 500 SL Roadster sounds like a tempting proposition. The beauty of the 500 SL is that it provides striking good looks, stunning performance, and enough luxury to make any journey feel like a special occasion. If that sounds like a winning proposition, you will find the Mighty Merc located in Polk City, Florida, and listed for sale here on Barn Finds Classifieds. You can drive this beauty away for a mere $5,500.

When you look at the 500 SL directly from the side, you see a car that appears to have clean and conservative styling. When you start looking at it from an angle, you begin to realize that this might not be any automotive wimp. The pumped wheel arches hint that there might be some muscle behind this classic. Those arches are crammed full of shiny 16″ factory alloy wheels, which appear to be in perfect condition. The Red paint shines beautifully, while the Beige soft-top is in excellent order. The trim above one headlight is broken, but that’s about the only noticeable flaw with the exterior. The rest of it presents superbly and is guaranteed to turn heads wherever it goes.

Here’s the muscle that would seem to justify those big factory wheels and the pumped external appearance. We find that residing under the hood is a 4,973cc 32-valve V8, pumping out a healthy 315hp. Those rampant German ponies find their way to the rear wheels via a 4-speed automatic transmission. Safety and comfort are increased by the inclusion of power steering and 4-wheel power disc brakes with ABS. Does that make it fast? Just a bit! A 14.4-second ¼ mile ET makes the Merc a true Autobahn-stormer. It is refreshing that the seller doesn’t make any outrageously low mileage claims, with the odometer showing 105,000 miles. He says that the V8 runs strongly and that the transmission shifts smoothly. The 500 also rolls on reasonably new tires.

There’s no need to open the doors to get a look inside this classic. With the top down, the interior is there for the world to see. There aren’t many things to criticize inside the SL. It looks like the lid on the console has been replaced at some point because the color doesn’t match. Finding the correct replacement shouldn’t be difficult, although it might be possible to get this one refinished in the right color. There is some wear on the leather on the driver’s seat’s outer edge, but it is nothing dramatic. The rest of the interior presents well, which is an outstanding achievement when you are talking about upholstery and carpet that are this light. There is an aftermarket Bluetooth CD player fitted, but the original is included in the sale. As well as ice-cold air conditioning, the Mercedes comes equipped with dual airbags, power windows, power locks, power seats, cruise, and a tilt wheel.

Looking at this 1994 Mercedes-Benz 500 SL Roadster in profile doesn’t provide any real indication of the performance potential that hides below the surface. However, when you bury the right boot, this is a classic that would come to life in no uncertain way. Drive it sedately, and it would cruise with an eerie level of comfort, quietness, and refinement. There are probably faster classics on the market today, but on a “bang-for-your-bucks” basis, this is an affordable classic that is well worth consideration. Remember: Winter isn’t going to last forever.