1988 Mercedes-Benz 300SL
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**Auction end date has been pushed back from 28th to 30th September**
Highlights
- Stunning very original example
- Full service history
- Immaculate hard-top and excellent soft-top
- Private plate included in the sale
- Ultra rare Mercedes colour
The Appeal
Launched in 1971, the R107 survived in the Mercedes line-up until 1989 and the longer it stayed in the range, the more popular it became. Combining glamorous looks, practicality and reliability with the thrills of top-down motoring, it’s perhaps no surprise that the model survived in the Mercedes range for those eighteen years. Regular appearances in 1980s US TV dramas (Dallas, Hart to Hart, The Six Million Dollar Man, The Rockford Files) undoubtedly helped to secure the model’s iconic status and desirability.
Post-1985 (third-generation) R107s are particularly sought-after, featuring the late-run upgrades: improved suspension and added body strengthening, plus the chin spoiler. In essence, though, the R107 shape remained largely the same from its introduction in 1971 until the end of production in 1989.
MPW 6V is a remarkably good example of the model and looks wonderful in its blue/green metallic paintwork - in the very rare, original Mercedes-Benz colour (877)
The History and Paperwork
- Full service history with stamped service book
- MoT valid until May 2023
- Historic MOT certificates and tax discs
- Original owner’s manual's and service book.
- Significant amount of invoices and paperwork
First registered in October 1988, MPW 6V acquired its (personalised) registration number ten years later; the vendor will leave the registration on the car. It comes complete with a wonderfully comprehensive history file – previous MOT certificates and tax discs, plus a number of invoices including, notably, one from April 2021 totalling £4,397. This records a major overhaul of the suspension, new brake discs and pads (front and rear), along with other work.
The Interior
- Amazingly clean and original interior
- Smart beige genuine leather 'heated' seats
- Factory fitted rear seats
- Excellent door panels
- Original tool roll, first-aid kit, warning triangle
It’s clear from even a cursory look around the interior that the car has been well looked after. The beige leather seats are in superb condition with only the driver’s seat showing slight evidence of wear, as is to be expected on a car of this age. The car features the (optional extra) heated seats and (unusually) these work perfectly, the vendor having recently replaced the relays.
Meanwhile the ‘+2’ rear seats look to have hardly been used; the rear seat-backs fold down to reveal a clean carpet liner and to create a more useful luggage space.
The carpets show only some minor discolouration and very little wear.
The dashboard, centre-console, dials and switchgear all look superb, and the door panels are in first-class condition. There’s a fire extinguisher in the passenger footwell, while the two levers for locking the hard-top and soft-top into place are in the glove box.
In the boot, the beige carpet lining is clean and has no signs of wear or staining. There’s an original tool-roll, complete with tools, and an original first-aid kit whose contents appear never to have been disturbed. Under the carpet lining and a plastic cover is the spare wheel, which is also in excellent condition and looks unused.
The Exterior
- Ageless looks
- Rare blue/green paintwork
- Wheels and tyres in excellent condition
- Hard-top in fantastic condition
- Superb soft-top
The car’s blue/green paintwork (sometimes known as ‘Petrol Blue’) really sets it apart from the more usual colour schemes found on R107s. It’s a colour that suits the car, and the paint is in excellent condition, bar a few scuffs where the hard-top has been previously fitted and removed. The vendor has resisted having these rectified, preferring to retain the car’s outstanding originality.
All four wheels are in extremely good condition, with only one or two minor blemishes, and the vendor has recently fitted new tyres all round.
The badges and brightwork all look good, with only some minor patination on the boot handle and some slight bubbling on the rear bumper.
All in all, the car looks superb and belies its age and mileage.
The Mechanics
- Starts easily and runs beautifully
- 2962cc engine
- 4-speed auto gearbox
- Clean and tidy engine bay
The car starts on first turn of the key. It has a lovely engine note, and is a delight to drive. The vendor assures us that it drives and handles really well, and the quality of the ride was apparent even while manoeuvring the car around for our photo shoot. The gearbox engages quietly and smoothly, the driving position is comfortable and supportive, and one can readily imagine relaxed weekend drives with the top down.
Under the bonnet, everything is clean and well-ordered and again testifies to the careful tenure of previous owners. Beneath the car, the exhaust looks to be recent and there’s no sign of corrosion or of leaks.
Summary
A true modern classic, for open-top motoring in style and comfort there’s very little to match the R107. MPW 6 V is clearly a car that has been well cared-for and comes with that reassuring file of paperwork and a full service history. Add to the package that unusual (and rather lovely) paint colour, and a hard-top in immaculate condition, and you have an attractive and desirable car that’s bound to turn heads, and that’s as usable outside of the summer months as it is on a sunny day.
Notice to bidders
Notice to bidders
All items in this listing are sold on an “As Is - Where Is” basis. Photos and listing descriptions should be used as a guide only. Although every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of the information in this listing and Car & Classic performs a level of due diligence prior to the auction, we do not warrant the accuracy of the listings. The seller assumes all responsibility for this listing. Inspection is highly recommended prior to bidding. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion.
Please take care when making a bid as once your bid is placed, it cannot be withdrawn and will not be cancelled. If you are unsure do not bid as no refunds will be given.
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Vehicle specification
- Year 1988
- Make Mercedes
- Model 300SL
- Colour Blue/Green
- Odometer 108,060 Miles
- Engine size 2962
Auction Details
- Seller Type Private
- Town Reading
- Location Berkshire
- Country United Kingdom
32
bids
- an•••• £24,250 30/09/22
- Lo•••• £24,000 30/09/22
- an•••• £23,750 30/09/22
- Lo•••• £23,500 30/09/22
- an•••• £23,250 30/09/22
- Lo•••• £23,000 30/09/22
- an•••• £22,750 30/09/22
- Lo•••• £22,500 30/09/22
- th•••• £22,250 30/09/22
- Lo•••• £22,000 30/09/22
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