1989 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL
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Highlights
• Excellent condition throughout
• Good service history
• Leather interior in great condition
• Recently fitted Becker Radio and speakers
The Background
Created with the American market in mind, the R107 soon became synonymous with glamour as the wealthy flocked to the car. This sartorial elegance has not waned over the years, with the high-grade materials, build quality and timeless cut of the styling still retaining an air of solidity to this day.
With 18 years of continuous development, Mercedes saw that their flagship roadster received regular improvements to the economy, safety and comfort of the design over its production run. The car became a modern classic the moment it left the production line in 1989 and now ranks as one of the classic car worlds favourite all-round open top tourers.
With 18 years of continuous development, Mercedes saw that their flagship roadster received regular improvements to the economy, safety and comfort of the design over its production run. The car became a modern classic the moment it left the production line in 1989 and now ranks as one of the classic car worlds favourite all-round open top tourers.
Late versions of any car are often considered to be the best, and this 1989 300 SL is a perfect example of this. Benefiting from the mid-'80s 185 bhp straight-six 3-litre engine, galvanised body parts are well as significant improvements to its braking, equipment and appearance, it was registered just 4 months before the last one rolled off the production line in Stuttgart.
Finished in the desirable Anthracite Grey Metallic it is complete with its body-coloured hardtop, leather interior finished off with a delightful interior presentation. It has seen a recent and sympathetic overhaul and has seen just 5 previous owners. It also comes with a good record of its service history.
Finished in the desirable Anthracite Grey Metallic it is complete with its body-coloured hardtop, leather interior finished off with a delightful interior presentation. It has seen a recent and sympathetic overhaul and has seen just 5 previous owners. It also comes with a good record of its service history.
The History
The owner has long had a keen eye for these cars, having established a connection with the brand as a former employee of Mercedes. Originally he approached the previous owner about purchasing another SL from their collection, but he was distracted by this 1989 example. Upon discovering its originality as well as a decent record of its provenance, he quickly made the decision to take this car on instead.
It was by no means perfect, a few issues needed to be resolved but once he entrusted his vision to his mechanic, the car was brought up to a high level which included mostly cosmetic items, rather than any unneeded structural or mechanical repairs.
He was careful not to go overboard because part of the car's appeal is its originality, and he freely admits to being a little OCD and had to restrain himself from making everything flawless!
He also told us that the desire to focus on the hunt, rescue, and repair is the driving force behind the car's sale, as well as a pending wedding. However, he also mentioned that if he was to keep any of his past SL’s, then this would be the one.
It was by no means perfect, a few issues needed to be resolved but once he entrusted his vision to his mechanic, the car was brought up to a high level which included mostly cosmetic items, rather than any unneeded structural or mechanical repairs.
He was careful not to go overboard because part of the car's appeal is its originality, and he freely admits to being a little OCD and had to restrain himself from making everything flawless!
He also told us that the desire to focus on the hunt, rescue, and repair is the driving force behind the car's sale, as well as a pending wedding. However, he also mentioned that if he was to keep any of his past SL’s, then this would be the one.
The Paperwork
The car started its life having first been registered at Mercedes Brighton in April 1989 and each of its 5 previous owners maintained a good servicing schedule, with its booklet stamped up to 2015. A previous owner has also taken the measures to document each of its previous owners, helping to paint a picture of the cars life.
The paper trail of photocopied V5’s suggests that the first owner didn’t keep it for long and it found its way to the North of the country until the late 90’s when it came down to the South-east and eventually in Ipswich. The car's mileage has settled over the last 15 years, with roughly 3,000 miles on the MOTs indicating light occasional use, although it was nevertheless serviced on a regular basis.
The car comes with a handful of receipts, covering sundry and service items, with very recent paperwork which includes a delightful Becker Radio and dashboard speakers. The car will come with a full years MOT with no advisories.
The paper trail of photocopied V5’s suggests that the first owner didn’t keep it for long and it found its way to the North of the country until the late 90’s when it came down to the South-east and eventually in Ipswich. The car's mileage has settled over the last 15 years, with roughly 3,000 miles on the MOTs indicating light occasional use, although it was nevertheless serviced on a regular basis.
The car comes with a handful of receipts, covering sundry and service items, with very recent paperwork which includes a delightful Becker Radio and dashboard speakers. The car will come with a full years MOT with no advisories.
The Interior
The general consensus of the cabin suggests a car that has been well cared for, with no issues other than the usual age-related factors. The seats have a typical level of minor wear, most noticeable on the driver's side, but asides from the odd cracked beading and a little scuffing on the bolster, the leather is in good condition and free from rips or damage.
The carpets and mats are clean throughout, with no suggestion of dampness observed inside the cabin, hood well and in the boot. The car was specified new without the rear seat option, as a result, the rear section of in very good condition both physically and structurally. Door cards are neat and clean with no significant signs of wear, with grab handles and trim all fitting as well as expected.
The carpets and mats are clean throughout, with no suggestion of dampness observed inside the cabin, hood well and in the boot. The car was specified new without the rear seat option, as a result, the rear section of in very good condition both physically and structurally. Door cards are neat and clean with no significant signs of wear, with grab handles and trim all fitting as well as expected.
The headlining of the hardtop is in decent order, with no damage to the rear padding around the back, with just a few marks observed on the material above the passengers which appear to be superficial.
The dashboard is in delightful shape, with no significant issues worth dwelling on, the top of the facia is crack-free and shows no signs of sun damage. The dials, switches and controls are in good condition, with minor wear on some of the switches but all are said to be functional.
The electric windows lower and raise with no drama or straining. The veneer centre console has been well preserved, with no cracks or damage. The handbrake casing is the only notable issue - it's very rare to find these plastic items without damage. The rest of the interior plastics are good, with no major damage. The steering wheel and gear stick are in good condition, and have resisted the years well.
The boot comes complete with its tool kit, as well as an intact first-aid kit.
The dashboard is in delightful shape, with no significant issues worth dwelling on, the top of the facia is crack-free and shows no signs of sun damage. The dials, switches and controls are in good condition, with minor wear on some of the switches but all are said to be functional.
The electric windows lower and raise with no drama or straining. The veneer centre console has been well preserved, with no cracks or damage. The handbrake casing is the only notable issue - it's very rare to find these plastic items without damage. The rest of the interior plastics are good, with no major damage. The steering wheel and gear stick are in good condition, and have resisted the years well.
The boot comes complete with its tool kit, as well as an intact first-aid kit.
The Exterior
First impression counts don’t they? Well if they do then this example leaves a positive feeling. The car’s presentation, with the flush-fitting panels, well-kept paint and decent tightly fitting trim suggests a car that has seen a great deal of care over the years. The panel gaps are true and equal throughout, as the doors open and close with minimal force and no suggestion of sagging hinges or excessively worn struts.
The car’s structure is really very tight throughout, with no evidence of surface corrosion noted on the body. The arches and lower sections of the car are solid, with no issues noted in the engine bay or boot luggage area. A casual glance under the interior footwells reveals a solid floor pan with a similar story confirmed following an underside check.
The engine bay is very clean, with no significant blemishes, the chassis rails are solid, with the bulkhead looking decent. There were no distracting blemishes observed on the panels, with the car appearing to be dent free.
The car’s structure is really very tight throughout, with no evidence of surface corrosion noted on the body. The arches and lower sections of the car are solid, with no issues noted in the engine bay or boot luggage area. A casual glance under the interior footwells reveals a solid floor pan with a similar story confirmed following an underside check.
The engine bay is very clean, with no significant blemishes, the chassis rails are solid, with the bulkhead looking decent. There were no distracting blemishes observed on the panels, with the car appearing to be dent free.
The Anthracite Grey Metallic paint suits the lines of the handsome chiselled lines well. The paint finish is very good throughout, with the bonnet known to have seen a respray, but with no signs of poor masking or overspray evident. It’s easy to forget that the car is over 30 years old, and while there are a few minor age-related marks noted, they seem to be mostly limited to the rear deck and boot - presumably where consecutive owners have lifted the weighty hardtop off the car. That said, it’s scuffing rather than anything serious. The front of the car is free from major road damage, with no significant chips noted on the panel work with the door edges being free from any damage.
The soft top is in good condition, with no suggestion of wear or rips, with not much more than a little loose stitching and a minor crack observed on one of the rear plastic quarters. The hardtop is solid and clean, having been subject to a repaint 20 years ago. The glass is good throughout, with no damage in terms of cracks or chips, just little laminate imperfections observed on the corner of the off-side of the front screen.
The glass and door rubbers are decent, with no suggestion of water ingress. The chrome trim has resisted the years well, with the body embellishments in fine order and no evidence of pitting or damage. The body trim rubbers have a touch of age in places but remain tidy. The rear offside section of the bumper shows corrosion damage, but this constitutes the only item of distracting exterior damage. Of course, being an R107, it can be obtained by a phone call or a few clicks online. The lights and lenses are good, with no cracks or damage, one of the rear items has been subject to a recent replacement.
The glass and door rubbers are decent, with no suggestion of water ingress. The chrome trim has resisted the years well, with the body embellishments in fine order and no evidence of pitting or damage. The body trim rubbers have a touch of age in places but remain tidy. The rear offside section of the bumper shows corrosion damage, but this constitutes the only item of distracting exterior damage. Of course, being an R107, it can be obtained by a phone call or a few clicks online. The lights and lenses are good, with no cracks or damage, one of the rear items has been subject to a recent replacement.
The 15” flat face alloy wheels have been subject to a refurb and as a result, the alloys are now in super condition. Both tyres on the off-side of the car are likely to be over 20 years old but are fully legal with good thread and no signs of damage. The other two tyres on the other side and more recent and are also in good order. It comes with two sets of keys, a set of locking wheel nuts and MB dust-caps.
The Mechanics
Mechanically the car is said to be in very good shape. It starts up with no issues, with the idle ticking over nicely. The engine sounded healthy, with no knocking, whining or tapping to be heard. The exhaust is in good condition, with no issues with its performance.
The car has recently been in the hands of the owners mechanic, who has noted that there are no issues with any knocking in regards to the steering or suspension during the short test drives, and mentioned it drives well.
The engine shows an honest picture of the car and in line with the owner's desire to retain that level of originality; if the new owner wishes to detail the engine then it shouldn’t be an onerous task to do so and ultimately worth it, considering the very clean nature of the running gear. The car has seen regular mechanical attention so the operation of the brakes and damping does not present any immediate issues.
While the car was being moved, the brakes didn’t grind. No oil or fluid leaks were observed, with the power steering operating with no squeals. All of the cars under-bonnet data plates and factory info are intact.
The car has recently been in the hands of the owners mechanic, who has noted that there are no issues with any knocking in regards to the steering or suspension during the short test drives, and mentioned it drives well.
The engine shows an honest picture of the car and in line with the owner's desire to retain that level of originality; if the new owner wishes to detail the engine then it shouldn’t be an onerous task to do so and ultimately worth it, considering the very clean nature of the running gear. The car has seen regular mechanical attention so the operation of the brakes and damping does not present any immediate issues.
While the car was being moved, the brakes didn’t grind. No oil or fluid leaks were observed, with the power steering operating with no squeals. All of the cars under-bonnet data plates and factory info are intact.
The Appeal
Late-model 300SL’s with evidence of care are among the most sought after of the R107 series cars, with this example having been sympathetically renovated without ruining its originality.
The later straight-six engines offer a good compromise for use on modern roads, as they are cheaper to run than the V8’s and have a positive reputation for durability as well as acceptable running costs. All these factors, as well as its superb part availability and upscale image, makes this car a popular choice for many owners.
The SL simply provides a perfect solution to classic open-top motoring for a modern age.
The later straight-six engines offer a good compromise for use on modern roads, as they are cheaper to run than the V8’s and have a positive reputation for durability as well as acceptable running costs. All these factors, as well as its superb part availability and upscale image, makes this car a popular choice for many owners.
The SL simply provides a perfect solution to classic open-top motoring for a modern age.
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.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1989
- Make Mercedes
- Model 300SL
- Colour Anthracite Grey Metallic
- Odometer 100,705 Miles
- Engine size 2962
Auction Details
- Seller Type Private
- Location Berkshire
- Country United Kingdom
21
bids
- ro•••• £27,500 17/08/21
- ro•••• £27,250 17/08/21
- ro•••• £27,000 17/08/21
- ro•••• £26,750 17/08/21
- Mi•••• £26,500 17/08/21
- ro•••• £26,250 17/08/21
- Mi•••• £26,000 17/08/21
- Se•••• £25,750 17/08/21
- 31•••• £25,500 17/08/21
- ro•••• £25,000 17/08/21
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