Mercedes-Benz 380SL 1983 WDB1070451A000982

Mercedes-Benz 380SL
Automobiles d'Exception à Retromobile,
Paris
Year:
1983
Auction House:
Bonhams
Chassis number:
WDB1070451A000982
Date
February 07 2009
Engine number:
Unknown
Registration number:
Unknown
Body number:
Unknown
Sold for:
€ 29.900
Magnifiquement construits, élégamment dessinés et extrêmement bien équipés, les coupés et cabriolets haut de
gamme de Mercedes-Benz ont été longtemps considérés comme les symboles de la richesse et du prestige liés à
une clientèle exigeante et distinguée. La 380 SL que nous avons l avantage de proposer ici, propriété de la baronne
Edmond de Rothschild, est toujours immatriculée à son nom.
Le type 380 SL était en production depuis trois ans lorsque la baronne de Rothschild prit livraison de sa voiture en
septembre 1983. Lancés en mars 1980, le roadster 380 SL et le coupé 380 SLC avaient conservé la caisse Type
107 introduite en 1971-1972 sous une forme pratiquement inchangée, la seule différence notable concernant l ajout
d un spoiler avant. Les nouveaux modèles qui remplaçaient la série des 350 furent produits parallèlement aux 280 et
500 SL/SLC extérieurement semblables. Leur moteur était une version du V8 à arbres à cames en tête de 3,5 litres
portée à 3 818 cm3 et améliorée. Les trains roulants étaient conformes aux pratiques habituelles de Mercedes avec
quatre roues indépendantes et quatre freins à disques, tandis que la nouvelle boîte automatique était standard. La
vitesse maximale se situait aux environs de 210 km/h.
Un peu plus d un an après, la 380 SL fut remotorisée avec un V8 à course allongée de 3 839 cm3 en vue d en
réduire la consommation et les émissions toxiques. La puissance maximale diminua légèrement de 218 à 204 ch
(DIN).
La 380 SL de la baronne de Rothschild fut achetée neuve et immatriculée pour la première fois le 30 septembre
1983. La voiture est suisse et s accompagne de son Permis de Circulation suisse à son nom (périmé depuis le 22
janvier 2007). Toujours remisée dans un garage, la voiture qui affiche au total 80 040 km au compteur est
pratiquement à l état neuf. La présence d un volant Nardi à jante en bois est la seule entorse aux spécifications
standard.
Superbly constructed, elegantly styled and supremely well-equipped, Mercedes-Benz s top-of-the range SL coupés
and cabriolets have long been recognised as symbols of wealth and prestige, attracting a distinguished and
discerning clientele. The 380SL we are privileged to offer here is the property of the Baroness Edmond de Rothschild
and is registered in her name.
The world s foremost banking dynasty, the Rothschilds can trace the origin of their business back to the late 18th
Century, when Mayer Amschel Rothschild, previously a dealer in coins, began providing financial services to Crown
Prince Wilhelm of Hesse-Kassel in what was then the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Mayer despatched his sons to
Europe s capitals to found branches there, the Paris job falling to his youngest son, Jacob (James) Mayer Rothschild,
who set up de Rothschild Frères in 1817.
James Rothschild s great grandson, Baron Edmond de Rothschild, married Nadine Lhopitalier in 1963. The marriage
startled French society: Miss Lhopitalier came from relatively humble origins and was a movie actress at the time,
using the stage name Tallier; she was also a Catholic but converted to Judaism soon after their marriage. Later in
1963 she gave birth to a son, Benjamin, who succeeded his father, Edmond, as Chairman of the LCF Rothschild
Group in 1997.
As well as international finance, the name of Rothschild is inextricably linked to the production of fine wines. In 1853
the family acquired Château Brane Mouton (renamed Château Mouton Rothschild) adding Château Lafite to its
portfolio in 1868, while there have been further acquisitions such as Château Clarke in the 20th Century. One of the
most recent of these is Château Malmaison, which belongs to Nadine de Rothschild. As well as being a qualified
viniculturist she is also a distinguished writer with seven books to her credit including the best-selling The Baroness
Will Return at 5 and founder of the Académie Nadine de Rothschild .
The Mercedes-Benz 380SL model had been in production for three years when Baroness de Rothschild took delivery
of hers in September 1983. Launched in March 1980, the 380SL roadster and 380SLC coupe retained the Type 107
bodyshell first introduced in 1971/72 in virtually unchanged form, the most noticeable difference being the addition of
a front spoiler. The newcomers supplanted the outgoing '350' models and were produced alongside the outwardly
similar 280 and 500SL/SLCs. Their power unit was an enlarged (to 3,818cc) and improved version of the existing 3.5litre overhead-cam V8. The running gear followed Mercedes-Benz's established pattern, comprising all-independent
suspension and four-wheel disc brakes, while the new four-speed automatic transmission was standard equipment.
Top speed was in excess of 130mph.
After little more than a year the 380SL was re-engined with a longer-stroke, 3,839cc V8 in the interests of better fuel
economy and reduced emissions. Maximum power decreased slightly from 218bhp to 204bhp (DIN).
Baroness de Rothschild s 380SL was purchased new and first registered on 30th September 1983. It is Swiss
registered and comes with Swiss Permis de Circulation in her name (cancelled 22.01.2007). Always kept garaged,
the car displays a total of 80,040 kilometres on the odometer and is in mint condition for its age. The desirable
addition of a Nardi wood-rim steering wheel is the only deviation from standard specification.
The Property of Baroness Edmond de Rothschild1983 Mercedes-Benz 380SL
Chassis no. WDB1070451A000982