Highlights

Long term family ownership
Only 77,000 miles from new
Powerful yet frugal V8 - pick of the R107 range
Enormous documented service history
Fabulous condition inside and out
Factory rear seats
Immaculate hard top

The Appeal

The R107 production run lasted from 1971 all the way up to 1989, a testament to its success. The V8 powered 420 SL, introduced as a facelift model in 1986, is by far the rarest; total worldwide production reached just 2148 units. Compare that to the 13742 300SL and 11812 500SL built and you start to see this model as not only the sweet spot in the range, but a safer investment for the future.

As well as enjoying the various upgrades found in all final generation R107 (including the galvanised chassis, additional bodyshell stiffening, thicker anti-roll bars and deeper chin spoiler), it came equipped with the all-aluminium 4.2-litre V8, the final evolution of the M116 engine (as opposed to the M117 that came in the 5.0-litre 500).

Essentially lifted out of the W126 S-Class, it boasted big-valve heads and oodles of torque; producing 215bhp and a stump-pulling 239lb.ft, real-world performance was just a fraction off that of the 500 SL, but fuel consumption was almost identical to the ubiquitous 300SL. So it was every bit as elegant, comfortable and agile as any other R107, but in 420 guise it represented an intelligent fusion of brawn and everyday usability. In 2023, it’s a more compelling proposition than ever.

Only 48 420SLs, made in 1986, remain on the road in the UK and this is one of them, the vendor believes It is the only 420SL left in the country in this colour scheme. The V8 models usually had a higher specification than the lesser six cylinder cars and this one is no different, boasting heated front seats, factory rear seats, an umbrella holder on the drivers seat back, cruise control and an outside temperature gauge. This superb example is finished in the most evocative of colour schemes, Champagne Metallic over Cream Beige sports check, an elegant combination that really elevates the car above the more common hues.

With its low mileage, fabulous condition, comprehensive documented history and complete originality all pointing to a pampered, no expense spared life. This really is as cool a roadster as you could hope to find, on a short drive we encountered the best kind of attention from passers by, nothing but smiling faces and the odd wave!

The History and Paperwork

Over 50 invoices totalling nearly £26,000
31 services carried out backed up by stamps and invoices
Garaged through its lifetime
Full VDI check provided by the vendor
Original owner’s manual and service book
Family owned since 1991, bill of sale still present
Very rare original pre-delivery inspection sheet
Full set of keys

The vendor acquired the car from the estate of a deceased previous owner, a Doctor that had owned the car since 1991, and understands that it has been dry-stored throughout its life. The fabulous condition of the car, both inside and out, would certainly back up that assertion. Of the four previous owners recorded on the V5, the vendor understands that at least two were members of the same family.

Present is a box file containing over 50 invoices for maintenance work that amounts to £25,950. The service history is complete and shows that the car has covered only 5000 miles in the last ten years. The bill of sale in 1991 is still present as is a handwritten letter from the dealer to the owner as well as the very rare pre delivery inspection sheet from 1986.

The leather book pack contains all the manuals, including that for the radio, as well as all the original paperwork, and the service history book. There are a number of previous MOT certificates and the recent VDI check, the car has an MoT valid until May 2024. This enormous amount of fully documented history makes this rare convertible rather special and is very reassuring, it all adds up to a wonderful proposition for the (very lucky) new owner!

The Interior

Time warp interior in outstanding condition
Factory rear seats
Rare heated seats option
Front and rear Cream Beige Karo (MB 075) sport check trim
Original Blaupunkt radio with manual
Original toolkit, first-aid kit, warning triangle
Spare wheel and tyre

Obviously cossetted throughout its life, this is an utterly superb example of the iconic R107. Open the doors and you are entering a time warp of veneer and sports check trim. The front seats show very few signs of wear, the bolster has a few tiny marks as you would expect, and the rear seats look to have never been used. Both door panels are in excellent condition. The kick-plates protectors are new OEM items, the fitted carpets are clean, with very little wear, and those in the front footwell have clearly always been protected by over mats.

The dashboard, switchgear and dials all look to be in excellent original condition and everything seems to work as it should. The car has electric windows, heated seats, heated wing mirrors and an original Blaupunkt radio together with its operating manual – the electric wing aerial is working. The light and airy cabin really is smart and a luxurious place to be, to drive this car, top-down, on a sunny summer’s day, would be a supreme driving experience.

In the boot, the lining is all correct, there is a little discolouration to the small section of carpet under the toolkit, underneath there is a spare wheel and tyre in good order with the original Mercedes information sheet still in place. There’s also an original first-aid kit, both hood latch levers, tyre jack and hazard warning triangle. Under the spare wheel, the boot floor shows no evidence of rust and looks clean and proper. Originality is key with these cars so it is reassuring that all these items are present and correct.

The Exterior

Rare Champagne Metallic (MB473) paintwork
Chrome and badges all correct
Superb wheels, recently refurbished
Professionally undersealed
Good tyres all round
Original black hood in good condition
Immaculate colour coded hard-top

The car looks simply stunning in its gleaming paintwork and the condition of the finish is a testament to its cosseted life. As with any car of this age upon close inspection a few tiny blemishes are visible. These are very minor but we are being picky, overall the car looks fantastic.

The brightwork, bumpers and badges all look good, and although the rubber strips on the rear have minor dents (doing the task they are there for) and the rubber trim on the front bumper is starting to show signs of its age it’s all intact and original. We noted a very thin blister on the rear bumper chrome but really quite minor. All four wheels are in excellent condition having recently been professionally refurbished, and the matching Goodyear Eagle tyres all round have plenty of life left in them.

The soft-top is original and is in very good condition, another clue to its pampered life! The roadster is also supplied with its matching hard top which appears to have been hardly ever used and is immaculate.

The Mechanics

Frugal yet powerful V8 4.2 litre M116 engine
Smooth 4-speed auto gearbox
Just given a full service
New MOT
Outstanding engine bay
An exceptional example with comprehensive service history

The car starts on the first turn of the key, and the V8 engine just purrs into life and runs as it should - it has only just been serviced. The auto ‘box slots readily into gear and the car pulls away smoothly and quietly. You really can feel that torque from the outset, a completely different experience and quite an upgrade over the lesser 3 litre versions. Under the bonnet, everything is remarkably clean for a car that is over 30 years old, it is obvious this is an engine that has been carefully maintained.

A modern battery has been fitted and everything electrical seems to work properly. Under the car, recently professionally undersealed, all looks reassuringly sound and as it should be, there are no signs of rust or of any leaks. Over the course of a long photo shoot the car was started and moved around constantly without any trouble at all.

With its low mileage and that comprehensive service history, in addition to the R107’s reputation for longevity and reliability, this rather special car should offer many more years of trouble-free motoring.

Summary

The R107 is a genuine modern classic combining glamour and engineering integrity like no other car. For top-down motoring in style and comfort, there’s little to match it. Its looks are timeless and values continue to increase, especially as really good examples, in the most desirable colour ways, are now so hard to find. Add to the mix that silky smooth V8 engine and sensational on the road presence and this really is as good as it gets.

We really did struggle to find fault with this low mileage roadster and this rarest version is clearly an example that has been carefully stored and cherished throughout its life. We were absolutely smitten with the cool and classy colour scheme, which is simply stunning in the flesh, the superb interior shows almost no sign of its age and that refined V8 runs like a dream, add in that enormous maintenance history and there really can’t be many better than this one on the market - If you’ve always wanted an SL, treat yourself, this is the one to buy.

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