A lovely looking 280SL in a popular colourway – Champagne Metallic over Brazil Sports Check
A low mileage, lightly used example – just 2,300 miles per year on average
Complete with contrasting removeable hard top and tailored cover for the ultimate flexibility
The Appeal
The R107 arrived with some big shoes to fill. It’s predecessor, the esteemed W113 “pagoda,” was a worldwide success for Mercedes Benz. The R107, however, went on to sell over six times as many cars as its illustrious predecessor. Its success is really no surprise when you think about it.
The R107 is a superbly engineered coupe which is as comfortable as it is durable all whilst offering great cabin and luggage space and the benefits of a removeable hard top and an easily operated soft top. The cars looked great too. Sporting, yet sophisticated. A combination that delivered a car that fitted in everywhere. This included on the cast list of many popular 1980’s TV shows including Dallas and Heart to Heart.
The History and Paperwork
A UK specification car supplied new in 1984
Clearly a lightly used example with low mileage of under 86,000 miles
The car has benefitted from significant expenditure in the last 5,000 miles or so
This includes attention to the bulkhead and cylinder head and timing chain work
Invoices are present totalling an expenditure in excess of £6,000 in the last 5,000 miles or so
Other paperwork includes V5 in name of current owner
The car benefits from a current MOT with no advisories
The Interior
The interior of this R107 features the popular and period-correct Sports Check fabric in the “Brazil” colourway
The seat centres are box pleated and dressed in the Brazil Sports Check fabric
The seat bolsters are dressed in dark brown MB Tex vinyl
All seats and coverings and structures appear to be in great used condition throughout
Door cards are finished in a mixture of Brazil Sports Check fabric and dark brown MB Tex
They also appear to be in excellent condition
Carpets are in a complimentary dark brown and appear to present very well
The vinyl dashboard elements and signature large four spoke steering wheel appear to be original, and period correct
A few small heat-cracks are evident in the dash top (pictured)
The inner hood lining presents in a good, used condition
The fabric interiors of R107’s of this period are instantly recognisable from their distinctive check patterns and their high-quality engineering values. This example is certainly no exception, and the dark brown colourway suits the car very well and is a refreshing antidote to the swathes of black of more modern interiors.
The Exterior
The exterior of the 280SL looks great in the distinctive Champagne Metallic paintwork
Paintwork appears to be in a deep and lustrous condition with no significant areas of deterioration noted or reported
Panel gaps look tight and symmetrical – a given for these impeccably engineered cars
The soft top is presented in a complimentary dark brown vinyl
The hood is in good used condition with just a couple of small cracks (pictured) in the Polyglas of the rear quarterlights – an easy fix for a specialist
The car is fitted with the familiar “Mexican Hat” Mercedes Benz alloy wheels
The alloys appear to be in good original condition and are fitted with the correct profile Dunlop SP Sport tyres
A removeable hard top in contrasting Russet Brown is included (pictured) and is reported to be in excellent condition
This 280SL has a very authentic, period look thanks to the Champagne Metallic paintwork, contrasting brown hood and signature “Mexican Hat” alloy wheels. A really eye-catching combination which manages to encapsulate the zeitgeist of the mid 1980’s very effectively. It is all in great, original condition too.
The Mechanics
The 280SL is fitted with the respected 2746cc, inline six-cylinder engine
A smooth and powerful unit originally rated at 182 bhp and 176 Ib-ft of torque
Power is fed smoothly to the rear wheels via a four-speed automatic gearbox
This combination is considered by many to offer the best combination of power, refinement and economy
The current owner attests to the car driving very well and confirming that all mechanical systems are working as they should
The low mileage and the documented maintenance activities have clearly benefitted this 280SL
A silky smooth straight-six engine and a smooth changing 4-speed automatic gearbox was one of the key elements that made the R107 so popular the world over. This is a car that is equally at home on a fast A road as it is wafting gently along a scenic coastal route. This example is reported to entirely true to that “car for all seasons” ethos, with the current owner offering high praise to his car and how well it drives.
Summary
Here we have a very original and period correct example of the R107 280SL in, arguably, one of the best period colourways. It looks great in all of its guises – hard top on, soft-top up or with the roof down. This car would look entirely at home parked outside Southfork Ranch.
It is a low mileage and well cared for example too. From the engineering apogee of Mercedes Benz this is a delightful example which will doubles provide its new owner with many more years of pleasure and enjoyment.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
Please see our FAQs
here
and our Terms & Conditions
here
Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
More about buying with us
1984 Mercedes-Benz 280SL (R107)
About Max Bids
The max bid process allows you to bid without any hassle.
Enter your maximum bid and we will then bid on your behalf to ensure you're the highest bidder - just enough to keep you in the lead and only up until your maximum.
Anti-sniping
Car & Classic prevent auction snipers from bidding in the last seconds to win an auction.
Auctions are extended by 3 minutes if anyone bids within the last 2 minutes to allow other bidders to react and counter-bid.
Auto-bidding increments
If your maximum bid is equal to or below the reserve price, your maximum bid will be applied in full if you are the highest bidder.
If you are the highest bidder and place a maximum bid above the reserve, we will automatically put in the reserve as your first bid.
Once the reserve has been met, Car & Classic will make sure you are the highest bidder using only the bidding increments stated below.
We will keep you in the lead up until your maximum bid OR the increment closest to your maximum bid, providing your maximum bid is enough to cover the increment value.
Bid Amount
Increment
£0 to £9,999
£100.00
£10,000 to £49,999
£250.00
£50,000 to £99,999
£500.00
£100,000 +
£1,000.00
Automatically outbid immediately
When you place a max bid and are outbid immediately that means that another bidder has placed a max bid limit which is higher than yours.
You can bid again and we will use our automatic bid system to try and get you as the highest bidder.
Matching max bids
When there are two max bids of the same value, the one placed first remains the lead bidder.
Pre-authorisation
We may hold a pre-authorisation charge on your card until the end of the auction when the hold will be cancelled. If you win, we'll take a security deposit which counts towards the payment for the vehicle and isn't any extra cost to you.
What are pre-bids?
A pre-bid means you're able to place a bid before the official start of the auction.
You will be notified whether or not you are the highest bidder when the auction starts.
Problem with your bid
Bids are contractually binding. To help protect you, we have some rules in place if we think it's been mistyped. Please check and amend what you have entered.