Highlights

Exceptionally original example
Immaculate condition inside and out
Very rare factory airbag option
One Previous keeper shown on V5C
Full service history
Both hard top and folding soft top are in fantastic condition
Factory optional rear seats fitted
Genuine 51,251 miles backed up with history

The Appeal

Perhaps one of the most enduring classics in automotive history, the R107 roadster needs little introduction. Glamorous looks, astounding build quality and a rewarding all-weather driving experience all add to the extraordinary appeal. It is still much sought after, particularly the later facelifted 300 SL, only sold for three years between 1986 and 1989, with its rust-proofed body and legendary 3-litre straight six. The refined engine is powerful but more frugal than the older power plants, and it quickly became the sweet spot in the range. This superb example is one of these more desirable, later facelifted cars.

Condition is everything, and thanks to its very low mileage, fastidious maintenance, as well as careful storage, this highly original SL presents in stunning order throughout. Beautifully presented in a very elegant colourway of Smoke Silver Metallic (702) over Black Karo (071) sport check, aficionados of the model consider this one of the most desirable combinations. This vehicle is simply exceptional, in virtually showroom condition and must be one of the best R107 roadsters on the market today.

History and Paperwork

Garaged throughout its lifetime
Advisory-free MOT until 2027
Full VDI check carried out by the vendor
Original owner’s manual, service book and radio manual
Original Pre Delivery Inspection Sheet
Original sales brochure
Dealer sticker, plates, keyfob and tax disc holder still present

When the vendor acquired the car he understood that it had been dry-stored throughout its life, the fabulous, original condition of the car, both inside and out, would certainly back up that assertion. Supplied new by Mercedes-Benz main dealers Alexandra Garage of Grimsby the first lady owner lived within a mile of the dealership where the car spent virtually all its life. The service history is remarkably well recorded with twenty servicing stamps from new and shows that the car has been used sparingly, yet still dealer-maintained, when required, covering fewer than 10,000 miles in the last twenty years.

After the previous keeper passed away, the car was no longer driven on the open road and kept garaged, yet the car was still trailered to the dealer every few years for a service. Since then, the current vendor has ensured the car has been brought back to a remarkable standard, with the last invoice showing an expenditure of over £3,000. The car still carries the supplying dealer plates, window sticker, keyring and tax disc holder. The original leather folder contains all the manuals, including that for the radio, as well as all the original stamped service book with all important data card. Even the instruction cards for the spare wheel and fuel consumption guide are present. Amazingly, the original spare key in its factory leather fob seems never to have been used. Another spare key is also included. Reassuring history like this only adds to the car’s desirability and long-term investment potential.

The Condition

Chrome and badges all excellent
Factory driver’s airbag
Factory original black hood in outstanding condition
Amazing all original interior
Clean, unmarked under carpets
Brand new OEM windscreen
Ridged overmats as per factory
Period Blaupunkt radio
+2 Rear seats look unused
Original toolkit, first-aid kit, warning triangle
Premium Continental tyres all round, including unused spare

This car really does look as though it has just been driven out of the showroom. Finished in metallic Smoke Silver (702) - one of the most popular and evocative colours for the R107 - the external presentation is immaculate, particularly for a car that is over 40 years old. It comes complete with its colour coded, numbers matching hard top, with a light headlining.

The good news continues across the chromework which is very smart and the headlight lenses appear to be clean and fracture-free. The vendor notes a tiny touch up above the wheel arch, so small if we hadn’t mentioned it you wouldn’t have noticed it! Reassuringly instead of repairing a small chip to the windscreen the vendor went to the expense of having an OEM tinted replacement professionally supplied and fitted.

The soft-top is also in outstanding condition, with all the original windows clear and crease-free. The alloy wheels are also very original and these are complemented by matching premium Continental tyres all round. Underneath, the SL appears to have benefited from being under-sealed and is clean and proper - we can't discern any signs of corrosion or reason for concern.

Nestling into its factory sport check seating, it feels like you’re back in 1986 it is just so factory fresh. The seats are unmarked and offer excellent support. From the lovely walnut wood trims to the colour coded door cards, the astonishing interior of this car feels like it could have just left the showroom: there are virtually no giveaways of the car’s age, a testament to a lifetime of careful, diligent ownership. It's clear from first glance that this has been the pride and joy of every driver to sit in its opulent cabin. The seats are in fabulous condition, proudly sporting one of the R107s most popular colour combinations. The ‘+2’ seats in the rear look unused. Folding down the rear seats reveals a generous extra space for luggage, which is in good order.

The carpets across the board are in extremely good condition, with no marks or discolouration, and a glance underneath those in the front reveals a clean and rust-free floor pan. The factory ribbed over mats are still present and in good clean order; The stylish wood veneer on the dash looks wonderful, with no cracks or splits to the lacquer that we can discern, with all of the dials and switches appearing clean and easy to read. Every one of the generous internal options are working as expected - the electric windows, the vanity lights on the sun visors. Its factory fire extinguisher and holder are still present. The car left the factory with a drivers airbag, one of the rarest and most expensive of all R107 options.

To complete the authentic time warp experience, the car even boasts a Chromelondon refurbished period Blaupunkt radio cassette, complete with its manual! The boot is in excellent order with good, clean carpets - there is an original factory first-aid kit, apparently unused, along with the original warning triangle, jack, wheel brace and spare wheel. The factory tool roll in cloth and tools are also present in excellent order. Ultimately this is an utterly superb example of the 300SL.

The Mechanics

Powered by Mercedes-Benz’s legendary 2,962 cc straight-six
Refined four-speed automatic gearbox
Starts and runs beautifully according to the vendor
Outstanding engine bay presentation
Starts on first turn of the key
An exceptional example with an excellent service history

Having only just received a full service, the SL reportedly starts on first turn of the key, gear changes are smooth and quiet, and the engine sounds lovely. The vendor assures us that it drives as well as it looks, during the four-hour photo shoot the car started on the button and was moved to and fro with no issues at all. With its very low mileage and comprehensive history, in addition to the R107’s reputation for longevity and reliability, the car should offer many more years of trouble-free motoring.

Open the bonnet and, again, it’s difficult to believe the car’s age and mileage. The engine looks amazing, and aside from a modern Bosch battery everything looks much as it must have done when new. The vendor believes this is probably the best, most original of its kind in the country. If you’ve always wanted an exceptional 300SL, this is the one to bid on and hopefully make your own.

BEFORE YOU BUY

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