2008 Formula 1 — 12 minute Synopsis
By John | April 26, 2008
Topics: SL Market News | No Comments »
Are 300SL Roadsters “finally” eclipsing Gullwing Prices
By John | February 7, 2008
Question: Sportscar Market Magazine's 2008 Price Guide is putting 300SL Roadster values higher then the Mercedes-Benz Gullwings. Can this be true?
Olson Replies: The SL Market Letter has been charting this relationship since these models were new. The 300SL "Gullwing" Coupe is one the few great cars where a closed body-type has commanded higher prices than its convertible counterpart. This has prompted decades of prognostication that Roadsters would eventually eclipse Gullwings. Besides, 300SL Roadsters do contain more parts than Gullwings…. full restorations can involve 20% more labor on parts to be rescued or replaced. Roadster reupholstering takes five hides of leather. Even when new, Roadsters cost 25% more. And enthusiasts know that Roadsters had dozens of refinements. All reasons for them to be higher priced today. The following chart shows that after recovering from a low of 56%, Roadsters took 17 years to claw their way to 85% of Gullwings (using averaged prices). During the last ten years they have more-or-less hit a plateau between 80% and 85% of Gullwing values.
The 2007 auction scene has seen several surprises. Not only several 300SL Roadster sales passed $700,000, but they were early production, iron block cars, not late, alloy engine, disc brake models. Read the rest of this entry »
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Salute to Roy Spencer…
By John | January 28, 2008
Roy Spencer has posted a summary of the Mercedes SL scene, as of 2008, that's so good I might have written it myself! "An SL for any Size Billfold" might be another name for this four-part article covering four decades of SLs. Whether you're curious about adding another decade to your SL collection or still seek your first, take a gander at these four articles:
- View SL Market Analysis Part 1 - 1950s and 1960s
- View SL Market Analysis Part 2 - 1960s and 1970s
- View SL Market Analysis Part 3 - 1980s
- View SL Market Analysis Part 4 - 1980s
A few cautions about prices: While 1950s and 1960s SLs now sell for many times their original price and are still climbing, two things temper newer decades… 1) the role of attrition and 2) quanities built (which are growing with each decade). If your goal is simply a great, fun car, any decade will work. If your agenda includes an appreciating asset, maybe a hobby that pays for itself… try repeating "Buy the oldest SL I'm brave enough to buy" about a dozen times. Or, if you're into "Buy Low, Sell high" — that bridge is now at approximately 1972. The decade of the 1970s has some terrific bargains… unrestored original cars that will never need to be restored if you become their faithful custodian as they move into their golden years. If you've got more bucks than years left – go for the gold now! But read Roy's series first. AND include the SL Market Letters in your shopping; our subscription based newsletter covers price trends and includes a comprehensive classified listings for the Mercedes-Benz SL.
Topics: SL Market News | No Comments »
Recession and Scottsdale
By slmarket | January 24, 2008
OLSON: Not as much as you might think. While anyone in financial straights may be forced to dispense (temporarily) with their hobby it is also true that:
- a low percentage are financed, and none are hedged as stocks and/or currency
- cars are portable, helping international appeal, unlike land in Peoria or Essen
- selection is based 1st on pleasure, pride & identity, 2nd (or 4th) on money
- selling is given the same priorities
Topics: Mercedes-Benz Auctions, SL Market News | No Comments »
Mercedes-Benz Transmission Transplants
By John | January 14, 2008
Question from subscriber ….
Hello John. I wanted to pick your brain on a transmission question. I have a '71 280SL. According to some rumors floating around, a manual from an '86 300E, would fit the 113. Supposedly, the 300E manual is a smooth 5 speed. Do you know if this would be a fit and if so, would it simply be a plug-n-play arrangement ?? I would love to convert my auto to a really nice manual. Thanks. Attila.
Reply by Olson ….
No, a 1980s transmission is not a "natural" implant. Bell housing would require significant change, length of trans. is different — requiring custom spacers, and worst, it is a "side shifter" — the control levers do not come out of the top of the box as on the 113 manual transmissions…. this means more improvisation and odd location for the lever coming out of the tunnel. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Mercedes-Benz Modifications, SL Market News | 1 Comment »
Publishers of the SL Market Letter - Mercedes-Benz SL Newsletter
By slmarket | December 19, 2007
Welcome to SL Market - a leading authority on the SL Mercedes-Benz and publishers of the SL Market Letter, which is a newsletter dedicated to the Mercedes-Benz SL. It features trends and news as well as up-to-date listings of Mercedes-Benz SLs for sale all over the world, as well as coupes, 600, 6.3, 6.9 and other low-production Mercedes-Benz models. We discuss current market values and provide Mercedes-Benz technical articles in each issue.
Written by John Olson, a well-known world authority on Mercedes-Benz automobiles and car collecting in general, the SL Market Letter is read by thousands of Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts, collectors and investors.
Topics: SL Market News | No Comments »
SL Mercedes-Benz Consultant - John Olson
By slmarket | November 1, 2007
Purchasing, selling, restorations…each of these usually involves big bucks! If you need help or coaching on the phone before your current car decision, you've come to the right place. Editor John R. Olson is available for two hours every weekday for over-the-phone consulting on any Mercedes-Benz related subject.
While the SL Market Letter leans toward models most likely to hold long-term value, the questions that John receives are 50/50 between newer and older models. If John is unavailable when you call, leave a message stating when you will call back, and John will do his best to accomodate you. Or contact us by email. This service has become popular with people who are new to Mercedes-Benz or new to the specific model that they now seek.
Topics: SL Consultant | 2 Comments »
Mileage Conundrum - Mercedes-Benz Collectible Cars
By slmarket | October 21, 2007
Source: SL Market Letter #329
Author: John Olson
While crunching price trends numbers for the SL MARKET LETTER other information crops up. About a third of sellers include their car's mileage in ads — usually those people with the lowest mileage. Other people either don't know their car's mileage or wish they didn't. As many things in life this is a double-edged sword. We've all heard mechanics say we must drive our cars; use 'em or lose 'em. A study on engine wear described in the book THE SL EXPERIENCE (Delusions of Low Mileage, page 184) cautions that 12,000 miles on a city-driven car can cause as much cam shaft wear as five times that mileage on the highway.
Intended usage is the big factor in choosing or bypassing the lowest mileage cars. If you drive the car regularly, or even two seasons of the year, you will "consume" the key thing that makes low mile cars special. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Mercedes-Benz Articles | No Comments »
Car Auctions, Buyer Beware
By slmarket | September 21, 2007
Source: SL Market Letter #311
Author: John Olson
I still remember my early auction experience 25 years ago, trying to buy a 300SL at a well publicized annual extravaganza then held in Oklahoma City.The car had a magnificent paint job, but was buttoned up tight with only a number on its windshield announcing its auction sequence. For hours I tried to locate the owner.
While waiting for anyone with facts about the car another beautiful Mercedes, a 280SE 3.5 Convertible came up to the auction block. I recognized one of the bidders and walked over to him. He stopped bidding considerably below what I thought was a reasonable price and the car did sell for less than I felt it should. I did not bid because I still had my mind on the Gull Wing but when I asked my friend why he didn't buy the car his reply sobered me. "Too many unknowns. Couldn't talk to the owner or drive it. Wish there was a compression test posted on the windshield instead of just a number." I walked back to the GW which was now moving in a line with a driver aboard. He opened the hood and trunk, but was indeed just a driver, knowing little beyond how the get it running. I couldn't see any glaring problems. Not ready for a concours but it was hard not to like that paint or the thought of owning the car. All the valuable parts were present and accounted for. Minutes later I heard myself opening the bidding. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Mercedes-Benz Articles, Mercedes-Benz Auctions | No Comments »
Vintage Mercedes-Benz Fuel Injection 1954-1971
By slmarket | August 21, 2007
Source: SL Market Letter #223
Author: John Olson
THE FIRST CARS SOLD to the public with fuel injection were Mercedes-Benz 260D (diesels) in 1936. Gasoline applications were more difficult, though M-B's Racing Department was planning its introduction for the 1940 Grand Prix racing season. The outbreak of WWII. circumvented M-B's 1940 participation. Within three years the technology surfaced in both German and U.S. combat aircraft.
The idea of precisely metered gas/air ratios at each cylinder was attractive, as carburetors were infamous for uneven distribution. A big reason for multiple carburetors (six of them on some V-12 Ferraris) was not so much for volume of output (though it helped) as to bring the delivery systems closer to their assigned cylinders. For cars Bosch had to smooth out low R.P.M. fuel delivery (not so critical in airplanes where 2/3 throttle or more was the norm). Automatic adjustments for altitude, humidity & temperature changes were a bonus inherited from planes. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Mercedes-Benz Articles | No Comments »
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