1984 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL (R107)
Highlights
- Supplied with both soft top and hard roof
- Beautiful condition throughout
- Exceptionally low mileage for its year
- Full leather interior
- Well maintained throughout its life
The Appeal
Renowned as a reliable and sturdily built touring convertible, Mercedes’ R107 SL series are a highly sought-after classic whose values remain constant and strong. This 1984 example offers all the well-known virtues of the model; elegant, understated lines, a comfortable cabin, a capacious boot and an easy driving style. Indeed, should you decide to do so, an R107 could almost be used as an everyday car.
This car is fitted with Mercedes’ tried and very trusted six-cylinder engine – more than enough performance for the task of motoring around Europe, but less expensive at the pumps than the V8s.
This car is fitted with Mercedes’ tried and very trusted six-cylinder engine – more than enough performance for the task of motoring around Europe, but less expensive at the pumps than the V8s.
The History and Paperwork
- Comprehensively stamped service book
- First registered in the UK in October 1984
- We are told the car benefits from an earlier repaint
- Vendor informs us the car has always been dry stored and doesn’t see rain
- Vehicle has covered very few miles in the last 12 years
It’s lovely to see a car that has been well cared for by all of its owners; the Mercedes’ service book shows regular stamps through all of the car’s years on the road. And considering the car is almost 40 years old, 49,000 miles driven seems very acceptable.
The vendor informs us the car was completely overhauled and recommissioned 13 years ago just before they took ownership.
The vendor informs us the car was completely overhauled and recommissioned 13 years ago just before they took ownership.
The Interior
- Light brown/sand perforated leather is supple with the gentlest patina
- Roomy and comfortable
- Walnut burr retains a good gloss
- Interior handles and fittings are sturdy and firm
- Carpets are clean
- Sat Nav system installed
Many 280SLs were trimmed in the durable ‘MB-Tex’ but this particular example was treated to a full leather interior. The hides retain a good colour with only the lightest creasing, while seat panels remain crisply defined. Interior fittings, whether wood, plastic or leather remain straight with no signs of warping or colour fade. Each panel fits snugly to its neighbour with no dirt or discolouration in joins and seams. The big door panels and their sturdy handles remain straight and firmly fixed in place. Chrome accents throughout the interior are bright and scratch-free.
Both the steering wheel and the gear selector remain in good condition, showing no ring scratches or fading to the finish. Switches and sliders are in general also good. The original Blaupunk hifi also comes with the car. Carpets are very clean, and the mats have neat bound edges.
The Exterior
- Paintwork retains an excellent gloss
- All panels straight
- Good chrome
- Body panels is in good condition with no discernable dents visible
- The chrome accents are bright and well-maintained
- All badges present and correct
- Brown soft top complements body colour nicely
- Later Gullideckel 15-slot wheels are in great condition with no scratches
The shape of this elegant yet soberly restrained roadster remains taut, with all of those horizontal parallel lines on either side lining up neatly with the corresponding trim/shape on the next panel. Shut lines are narrow on all doors and lids, and the long doors open without groaning or sagging.
The beautiful yellow paintwork - makes a change from red or silver – remains consistent across the car. The finish doesn’t fade in seams or below bumpers, and there are no worrying blemishes around wheel arches or headlights. The finish around door edges and in hinge cavities is also excellent.
The nicely complementing brown hood is also in top condition, with strong seams and no signs of mold or fading. The soft top folds smoothly into its tray and the steel tonneau closes easily and fits flush with the rear deck.
The chrome is an attractive feature of the car. All sections are straight and retain a deep luster, with good joins and no dicolouration. Trim sections sit neatly alongside their plastic counterparts and all neatly follow the lines of the car .
The Mechanics
- Tidy engine bay
- Bulkhead/firewall sound
- Solid underneath
- Clean and solid boot area
- Later Gullideckel 15-slot wheels are in great condition with no scratches
- New exhaust, brakes and has covered a few hundred miles since.
The underside of the Mercedes appears very sound and gently weathered. Inner wings and sills appear solid (as do the undersides of doors), while suspension components look clean and free-moving. The exhaust and tyres look healthy. The alloy wheels themselves (the slightly later ‘Gullideckel’ 15-slot pattern) are in excellent shape.
The engine bay can be described as workmanlike, with the straight ‘six’ and its ancillaries looking a little weathered, but everything appearing as if it has wellbeen attended to. There are no apparent leaks, and hoses and H/T leads look supple and of a good colour. There are no cracks or perishing rubbers/plastc here, and the distributor cap and the wiring looks very tidy.
The steel engine bay itself appears robust and rust free – the inner wings and the bulkhead appear very tidy – while at the other end of the car, the boot space looks equally sound. Both lids open without creaking and remain raised on their struts.
Summary
This is a fine example of an evergreen classic tourer. Its owner will enjoy all those SL qualities; classically elegant looks accompanied by refined road manners, while enjoying the improved fuel economy and lower servicing costs of the six-cylinder engine. And, they will easily be able to pick this car out from amongst all those red, black and silver ones. A well-sorted Mercedes, ready for the road.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1984
- Make Mercedes
- Model SL Class 280 SL
- Colour Beige
- Odometer 48,957 Miles
- Engine size 2746
Listing Details
- Seller Type Private
- Town Sheffield
- Location Yorkshire
- Country United Kingdom
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