The Mercedes R107 SL500 is one of their longest produced models with production (including facelifts) ranging from 1971 to 1989.. This gives you some idea just how popular they were and its not hard to see why.
Excellent build quality, classy understated looks and in this form a throbbing great V8 under the bonnet which is in turn transformed into power under your right foot.
Overall the SL is a class act and in great condition for it's age.
The vehicle was purchased in 1995, when it was 10 years old by the current family, then living in Germany. When they relocated to the UK their cherished car accompanied them and it was officially imported in 2001.
Since 1995 the vehicle has been used in the fine weather months, taken off the road in the winter and garaged all year round. Due to its remarkable reliability it has served the owners’ need for several European road trips to visit family and friends across the channel with no hitches. This timeless, stylish model has been declared off the road via SORN since before the pandemic, but has been recommissioned and passed an Mot in July 2021, now due to a change in family circumstances with much sadness this beautiful family heirloom needs to find a new home.
There is a vast amount of paperwork with this vehicle documenting works, servicing and parts purchased during the family’s ownership.
There are a number of original owners handbooks for the vehicle itself and stereo system etc, along with historic German papers documenting previous owners and an experts report/valuation and the import.
The car has benefitted from extremely low priced classic car insurance over many years.
The interior on this SL is classic with lots of plush black leather, chrome and veneered wood. This is naturally only fitting as it’s the SL500. It’s a really pleasant place to be and is in very nice condition. The seats have seen a re-trim and only have very minor wear and of course being an original German import it is LHD.
The car is fitted with the original radio/cassette player, which also includes Dolby Digital surround which works well with a telescopic electric aerial that appears magically from the rear wing. There are two rear leather upholstered seats with lap seatbelts in this example which have seen very little use and are an upgrade from the carpeted bank/shelf in other models.
The steering wheel shows minor wear, there is a blemish on the dash from a previous repair and the veneered centre storage console (upgrade) looks to be losing its lacquer.
In the footwells the front floor pans have been replaced on this example along with the boot floor and there are no interior leaks, the necessary documentation to substantiate this work in present.
There is a full size original spare in the boot along with the original Mercedes tool kit and a few additions required for driving on the continent.
Overall for a 36 year old vehicle it is in well loved condition and has clearly been well maintained and enjoyed.
The exterior of this car looks great in the anthracite grey, which really shows off its lines. Accentuated by the chrome work, it's a head turner for sure and you can see why many fans of the SL almost uniformly agree that it's ageing well.
This particular example comes supplied with the original hardtop as well a convertible black fabric roof which has been replaced with a new one at some point and is in excellent condition, it is manually operated with no expensive electric motors to concern the new owner, two original roof leavers are included. The car looks fantastic with the roof up or down, but let’s face it this cool SL is a stunner coasting along with the wind in your hair and the sun on your face, that’s the whole point of this vehicle, yet the hardtop lends itself to a cosy warm environment in the colder months if desired.
There is a set of Ronals with a deep dish spoke design currently on the vehicle, they look great and are in tidy condition with only minimal curbing and corrosion. The tyres have plenty of tread and the car comes with the added advantage of its 4 original alloys that have been refurbished and can be fitted by the new owner if required.
The car has been fitted with an expensive aftermarket stainless steel exhaust system that allows that stunning engine note to be heard, the deep powerful sound is truly impressive.
The car has been well maintained on the inside and the outside is no exception, looking at the paperwork no expense has been spared in any repairs or upkeep. The car appears to have had new genuine wings professionally fitted and sprayed at some point with the car even being driven back to Hamburg for a trusted specialist to undertake work on the car.
This is a 2 + 2 seater sports tourer made by Mercedes, a V8 engine upfront with power (and lovely V8 soundtrack) sent to the rear. Nimble handling, luxurious leather interior with heated seats, stunning sleek looks roof up or down and an additional hardtop making driving in winter that little bit cosier.
This particular SL500 has been used and enjoyed, well cared for and in turn well loved by its current owners for the past 26 years.
Would you like to be the new owner? Let's be honest, who wouldn't?
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