1981 Mercedes Prices
In this installment of the Mercedes-Market original Mercedes MSRP prices series we’ll be having a look at all the 1981 model year Mercedes models and prices offered in the United States. We have just one price card for the 1981 model year. I don’t think that’s because there was just one card and no price increases throughout the year, but because the Mercedes dealership salesperson who gave us all of these cards he collected over the years just didn’t happen to keep the others for this particular year. This is a pretty early card for the 1981 model year Mercedes, as it’s dated November 3, 1980.
1981 marked a shift away from the 4.5 liter V8 engines Mercedes had been using in the cars at the top end of the vehicle line up in favor of their new, smaller, more fuel efficient 3.8 liter V8. Performance was sacrificed of course, as the 1981 380 SL had an almost 9 second 0 – 60 mph time.
The first 6 models listed on the price card are all W123 body cars and those offerings remained unchanged from the 1980 model year. The W116 280 SE was no longer available, as it was replaced by the new W126 S class cars, specifically the 300 SD diesel and 380 SEL gasoline powered V8.
The 380 SL was introduced with a base price of $39,309 delivered to West coast ports for 1981, a more than $3,000 price increase from the previous year’s 450 SL. One improvement to the R107 SL with the introduction of the 380 was a 4 speed transmission, replacing the 3 speed unit used in 450 SLs throughout the 1970s.
The S class coupe, once again, was the top of the Mercedes range. The C107 380 SLC had an original MSRP of a whopping $46,919 delivered to West coast ports in 1981. Isn’t it interesting that what was expensive then, isn’t necessarily expensive now? The Mercedes SLC is a bit of an anomaly in that regard. while they were the most expensive car when new, any 300 TD wagon in comparable condition to an SLC today would be worth much more on the collector car market.
1981 Mercedes Optional Equipment
Looking over the optional equipment for 1981 reminds us that things were still pretty primitive in the early 1980s. It’s hard to believe that even in 1981 rear seat head rests were optional equipment across the Mercedes Benz range. The power sunroof option remained expensive costing $795 on the various models. The 300 TD wagon still only offered a manual sliding sunroof, no power sunroof was offered. Velour seating was still available in the U.S., although rarely chosen as an option from what we’ve actually seen in these cars over the years. All cars were fitted with ‘bundt’ style alloy wheels by now, except the entry level 240 D. They were optional on the 280 E and 300 D.