Mercedes 560SL, Yellow, for sale in Charlotte, North Carolina, for $19,995.

Even 22 years after the last one rolled off the assembly line, the Mercedes 560SL remains an A-list celebrity. Instantly identifiable and eminently elegant, the R107 chassis delivered luxury, performance, and a certain undeniable upscale appeal that still commands respect today. Clean examples are becoming increasingly difficult to find, although we here at Streetside Classics specialize in finding rust-free southern examples, and this 1987 example is no exception.

With a sticker that would translate to almost $110,000 of today's dollars, these were unquestionably a rich person's automobile. As a result, the high-quality construction was matched by typically high-quality maintenance, and the people who owned these cars could afford others for when the weather turned against them. This one in particular shows just 69,370 original miles, suggesting that it has never been a daily driver, and the original paint and bodywork bear this out. The cream finish is an elegant choice, and actually hides dirt and road grime better than most other colors, making this a low-maintenance car that you can use regularly. Of course, the bodywork is 100% original, and the vault-like build quality is evident every time you close the door or latch the convertible top. The paint remains glossy, and there are no needs in the cosmetics department.

The interior is mostly original, save for a few tasteful upgrades that enhance the driving experience. The chocolate brown leather seats are in beautiful condition, showing only very minor wear that belies the age and mileage figures. Matching MB-Tex door panels are excellent, the carpets are clean, and the black dash hasn't been cooked under the sun, but protected in a garage. The package shelf behind the seats has been augmented with a pair of powerful stereo speakers that deliver crisp performance, and fed by a new AM/FM/CD stereo head unit in the dash. Other modifications include a VDO temperature gauge in the center A/C vent, and since VDO was the original gauge supplier, it looks factory. Overhead there's a clean convertible top and all 560SLs were equipped with removable hardtops, which this one retains.

The 5.6 liter V8 under the hood was the largest fitted to the R107 chassis, and delivered smooth torque that moves the 2-seater effortlessly. With great V8 sounds coming from the tailpipe, these engines are virtually indestructible if they've been properly maintained, so finding one that has been serviced regularly is crucial. Everything works as it should, and the 4-speed automatic transmission slips through the gears with a mechanical precision that is uniquely German. The all-independent chassis is competent, the brakes are powerful, and it rides on classic Mercedes alloys wearing recent Michelin radials.

For an A-list ride for a C-list price, the 560SL is impossible to ignore. If you haven't driven one yet, we invite you to come down and try one on for size. You'll love how it looks on you. Call today!