I promised more Malaise Era Mercedes-Benzes not long ago, and it's been a few weeks since the last one, so this morning's DOTS will be a Benz hailing for the Late Malaise year of 1982. Yes, yes, we know- Mercedes-Benz never really succumbed to full-on Malaise, but we're talking era, not the Malaisitude of a specific vehicle here. I spotted this car just a block from the 1950 Pontiac Chieftan convertible and right near a couple of vintage Porsches you'll be seeing later.
This 380SL is a driver, still doing its job and looking pretty sharp. The paint is starting to oxidize a bit in the California sun, but there's no rust and no missing parts.
Of course, since it is a Mercedes, even minor repairs probably cost staggering sums. I've seen these things go for a few hundred bucks at the San Francisco towed-cars auction, no doubt because of the fear of repair costs.
But, dammit, it's a V8-powered sporty Mercedes-Benz! Now I want one!