In the gray market surge of the 1980s, Mercedes’ R107 convertible was one of the most popular cars to be whisked through various ports of call with its pretty Euro bits still attached. One of the most desirable specimens were cars like this 1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SL here on eBay, which offered a more powerful V8 engine than U.S. models at the time. It’s listed with no reserve and six days left in the auction. 

Keep in mind: this being a 1985 model meant it was available before the 560SL showed up stateside. So if you were an R107 shopper in late 1984 and knew Europe had a V8 model with about 50 more b.h.p. than the next closest offering at your local dealer – well, if you had the right connections, gray market was the way to go. It’s worth mentioning the 500SL was still quicker than the later 560SL, thanks to the lack of emissions equipment.

The interior has held up remarkably well on this car, with an uncracked dashboard and leather seating surfaces that remain tear-free and clean. The seller doesn’t offer much in the way of details about its mechanical condition, but we can’t stop staring at those pretty chrome European-market bumpers and vacuum-controlled glass headlights, which were also specific to the Euro models. The rare-as-hens-teeth manual isn’t present here, but the automatics were at least reliable.

Strangely, the R107s still seem like they are way too affordable for their own good. These are livable classics that offer the kind of reliability 1980s Mercedes are famous for. And even in its gray market classification, most parts will still be relatively easy to track down. With its rust-free condition and no-reserve listing, this is one to watch if you’re hunting for a clean Mercedes cabriolet with manageable upkeep requirements.