Mr. Dang Le Nguyen Vu, Chairman of Trung Nguyen Group and affectionately known as “Qua,” is an avid car collector with a fleet of nearly 700 automobiles worth over 3,000 billion VND. His collection rivals the inventory of hypercar and megacar showrooms in Dubai, London, and the USA.
Qua Vu cruising in his Mercedes-Benz 560SL
Among his extensive collection, Qua Vu owns over 35 Mercedes-Benz vehicles, affectionately known for their three-pointed star logo. His collection includes a variety of two-door models, ranging from vintage sports cars to modern supercars. Today, we take a closer look at one of the rarest cars in his collection, the Mercedes-Benz 560SL.
The Rarity of Mercedes-Benz 560SL in Vietnam
While there are many vintage car enthusiasts and collectors in Vietnam, only a handful of them have revealed their collections to the public. Based on the sightings of these rare cars, it is estimated that there are only two Mercedes-Benz 560SL sports cars in the country.
One of these rare cars is the recently acquired Mercedes-Benz 560SL driven by Qua Vu himself. The other is a hardtop variant in a distinctive yellow hue, currently on display at a used car showroom in Thu Duc City. It is said to have previously belonged to a well-known film director.
The Appeal of Qua Vu’s Mercedes-Benz 560SL
Qua Vu’s collection of vintage cars includes the Mercedes-Benz 190SL, and the 560SL is a perfect addition as its third-generation successor. The 230SL, the second model in the lineage, is also believed to be present in Vietnam, currently on sale for nearly 5 billion VND.
The Mercedes-Benz 560SL was produced from 1971 to 1989, and Qua Vu’s car is a 1985 model. Originally, this car featured a red body with a green soft top, but Qua Vu opted to repaint it white, which beautifully complements the original soft top.
The exterior and interior of the car remain largely original, and Qua Vu could further enhance it by ordering a hardtop. The SL-Class has gone through six generations since its introduction in 1954, and Qua Vu is a known admirer of these sporty vehicles.
The Mercedes-Benz 560SL stands out with its square design, featuring a long grille with the iconic three-pointed star logo in the center, rounded headlights at the corners, and a protruding front bumper. The extended bumper, which adds 203 mm to the length, is a requirement by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the USA to prevent damage in low-speed collisions of up to 8 km/h.
The car rides on a set of multi-spoke alloy wheels. The rear design is simple, with large rectangular taillights. A unique feature is the glass panel behind the soft top, adding a touch of elegance.
The interior of Qua Vu’s Mercedes-Benz 560SL is a stunning display of green upholstery, matching the soft top, contrasted by wooden and leather accents. The rear seats are ideal for storing luggage or converting into a bed for the driver or passengers to rest.
The sporty three-spoke steering wheel features the Mercedes-Benz logo, and the dashboard has a classic design with wooden and leather trim. Qua Vu added custom touches with two compartments for coffee thermoses and a cigar ashtray.
Performance and Price
Under the hood of Qua Vu’s Mercedes-Benz 560SL is a powerful V8 engine with a 5.5-liter displacement, producing 306 horsepower and 389 Nm of torque. This car can accelerate from 0 to 96 km/h in just 7.4 seconds.
Interestingly, the 560SL model was only introduced in select markets outside of Europe, particularly in the USA, Australia, and Japan. Currently, the Mercedes-Benz 560SL fetches prices ranging from $9,000 to $62,000 on classic car websites abroad, depending on its condition. Qua Vu’s car was previously listed for 2.5 billion VND.
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