Euro Market Find: Period Tuner 1977 Mercedes-Benz SL 280 in Cayenne Orange

What: 1977 Mercedes Benz SL 280 built by BB Manufaktur
Color: Cayenne Orange (cayenneorange; 406; Mercedes-Benz)
VIN: UD | F10095
Mileage: 17,500 km
Price at Time of this Writing: €61,990
CarFax: N/A
MonroneyLabels.com Window Sticker: N/A
Location: Nuremberg, Germany
Dealer listing: Auto Zitzmann GmbH

Why we love it:

While the third-generation Mercedes-Benz SL (C107) isn’t hasn’t proven as graceful at aging as the second-generation W113 Pagoda, it has come into its own as 80s cars begin to bask in the glow of Radwood and other Reagan era automotive celebration. Technically though, cars like this 1977 SL 280 pre-date the 80s/90s cut-off of an event like Radwood, but if you can talk your way through the entry line then we think you’d have a good chance at winning with a car like this example. Built by BB Tuning, Rainer Buchmann Frankfurt-based customization shop that built some of the wildest cars you might see, and with a heavy focus on Porsche and Mercedes-Benz.

Interestingly, this is a stock period correct Mercedes-Benz color. Like the build itself, Cayenne Orange appears to be peak trendy and bordering on kitsch-cool back in the late 1970s. In some ways it was so unique that it aged out quickly and today is undoubtedly cool… even if ironically so.

And speaking of both ironic cool and period trendy, that’s probably the best way to describe how BB Tuning builds such as this car remain today. Likely largely untouched from the day it finished its aftermarket tailored build by BB Tuning, the car commands a presence and a premium well above its bone-stock period counterparts… probably even over pristine Cayenne Orange examples.

Look past the Cayenne Orange paint and color-matched BBS wheels and you’ll find a most interesting interior. Tailored in marbled leather, popular at the time but seldom seen today, it’s not exactly tasteful by today’s standards, but it’s so period and unique that we have no doubt the new owner will love it just the same.

Embracing the period theme even more so is the audio system with components by Blaupunkt. Given the anemic audio comping from the factory at that time, aftermarket stereos were virtually required on builds such as this. Brands like Blaupunkt led the way in the German aftermarket, and this system is based on a Monza head unit with no less than 12 speakers throughout the marbled leather cabin.

Okay, this car’s not for everybody. But, we suspect if you get it then you’ll probably want to get it.