Mercedes 500 SL - Brief but colorful history

"Hoover" definition - picks up all the loose fluff on the side of the road!

When I arrived in the USA from South Africa, I was fortunate to purchase this pristine example direct from Derrick Milhous, the original owner. When Derrick was 20 years old his dad said he could have any car he wanted, but it would be the last car his dad would ever buy for him. 

Derrick looked around for something completely unique and decided on the recently released Mercedes 500SL which was not going to be released in the US, thus guaranteeing it's unique status. Furthermore, only 2,000 of this particular model were made. Derrick's dad had a friend who imported exotic cars from overseas and the car was imported into the US. 

In those days it was not exactly legit to import your own gray market vehicle, and it had to have at least 15,000miles on it to bring it into the country legally without paying sales tax. Derrick wanted none of that and so had the car consigned to Nevada. That's here he took delivery of it in 1984 paying $45,000 for it. He then drove it back to California illegally.

Additionally because it had to comply with environmental laws, and because Derrick lived in LA, it had to pass the strictest emissions laws. To make it easier it was decided to register the car to the family trust in Oregon where the laws were more relaxed.

The LA cops new about the scam and pulled Derrick over every couple of weeks. They could only ticket him for the non-compliant headlights - they weren't the sealed beam type as required by CA law. 

Derrick would get ticketed, pay the fine, install the US 380/450/560 type headlights, go through the DMV inspection, and then revert back to the very cool and unique euro headlights. 

Whenever he was stopped the cops would always ask - "whose car is this?" He would reply "my dads  - it belongs to his business in Oregon" The cops eventually figured out that his dad actually lived in Newport Beach California and then the game was up.

He was given 90 days to to pay the sales tax and register the car in California and he had to put $5000 in bond. His attorneys overturned the bond and a lawsuit was initiated against Derrick. Eventually the lawsuit was overturned, he made the modifications and the car passed the CA emissions and vehicle compliance requirements.

Derrick used the 500 SL as his daily driver, religiously servicing it at the authorized MB dealerships insisting on Original MB parts. Even when he had his one and only accident - a light scrape against another car only slightly damaging the right front panel, he had the entire panel replaced rather than have it repaired. The car was also factory fitted with a rare one-off Becker Radio

Eventually Derrick got married and had to quit the bachelor life. He had to think of a family and the 500 SL did not fit into his plans. He refers to those good old days as his "BS" days - "before Samantha" - his lovely wife. 

Derrick loved his 500 SL and was keen to see it go to another enthusiast who would love and care for it. He has many great memories of the car and he said to me that it was the best car that he had ever owned and would probably ever own.

When I purchased the car, I was fortunate enough to be invited in to see the contents of the "Milhous warehouse". As a car enthusiast, I have to say that it was one of the highlights of my life. The 3 floors of the climate controlled warehouse are decorated in period accurate renditions of middle American life. Their are original 50's gas pumps, old big red round Coca Cola coolers, and even some of the finest original Wurlitzer organs all in working order.

But the main attraction is the staggering selection of some of the finest examples of historic automobiles I have ever seen. My jaw dropped when I walked in the door. For me it was the first time that I had ever seen some of the most photographed and written about cars, up close and in real life.

And then I realized that I had just purchased my dream vehicle from someone who has spent his life restoring fine automobiles, and it made me realize just how special my life was and how lucky I was to have met up with Derrick.

   Current Time

I owned the car since from June 1995 to July 2001. I too pampered the black beauty and drove less than 4,000 stylish miles each year. It too served as my bachelor toy - my "Hoover" - for picking up the loose fluff on the side of the road! 

I too have many exciting and wonderful stories that relate to my bachelor days with this beautiful classic. To say that it assisted me in my hedonistic pursuits of sucking the marrow out of life would be totally unjust - this car MADE many of my adventures happen. I could not have wished for a better car for that period of my life. And I treated it with the love and care that it deserves.

It spent every night inside under cover snuggled in its own soft wrap, and was only been serviced by authorized Mercedes dealership and only original MB parts have been used. It is still 100% ALL ORIGINAL - including the immaculate original black paint. There are some spots where the paint  is a bit thin, and while there are a couple of tiny paint chips, there is not one dent on the entire pristine body. 

The interior was good, but the leather seats were showing signs of wear. The convertible top and window are pristine and the hardtop is immaculate - it had its own cover and storage rack.

Mechanically the car was downright stunning - it didn't use any oil, passed the Florida emissions tests with flying colors and did 150 mph without hesitation, and there are very few cars on the road today that can stay with it. Its not that I liked to push it, but every once in a while it was nice to wake that sleeping V8 monster up from its all too effortless idle and go and shake the cobwebs loose on the freeway. 

The 500 SL is by far the fastest of all the 107 style models and the MB dealer mechanics all rave about how fast she accelerates. She is much faster accelerating and free running than the anemic US 450/560SL's. Because of the engine and lack of breathing restrictions, the Euro 500SL enjoys a higher resale value and the "gray market" status is a misnomer as all parts are readily available ex-stock from all MB dealers.

   Specifications

"THE ULTIMATE TOY"

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"DETAIL SHOTS"