Description
1981 MERCEDES-BENZ 280 SL (R107)
Believed to be original, and with a very low mileage for its age, this Mercedes-Benz 280 SL is a prime example of one of the most popular, usable and enjoyable of all Three-Pointed Star classics
PRICE £poa
YEAR 1981
ENGINE 2746cc/ 6-cyl/ DOHC/ Bosch K-Jetronic with Lambda fuel injection
POWER 182bhp@6000rpm
MAXIMUM SPEED 129mph
0-60MPH 9. 5sec
GEARBOX RWD, four-speed automatic
MILEAGE 60, 619 miles
MOT 12 months from sale
CHASSIS NUMBER the details below
ENGINE NUMBER the details below
COLOUR Signal Red
INTERIOR Cream Beige Sports Check
WIDTH 1790mm
LENGTH 4630mm
BACKGROUND
When it comes to high quality classics, few can compare to Mercedes-Benz’s R107 range. Handsome, reliable and durable in equal measure, this third generation of SL - the letters stand for ‘Super-Leicht’ (Superlight), although the cars are anything but that - was so good-looking and advanced when born in 1971 that it was able to remain in production, largely unchanged, right the way through to 1989. That was over twice as long as the previous W113 ‘Pagoda’ series of SL, which in itself was very far from being an inferior model to anything at the time.
At its launch, the R107 SL convertible, accompanied by its four-seater fixed roof coupé C107 variant, had a very up-to-date style, turning away from the curves of the previous cars in favour of a more strident, angular appearance, as was the trend at the time. It had the chiselled good looks of a film star and, indeed, part of the R107’s popularity came from its many roles in TV shows and cinema movies. It became especially associated with Dallas, the US soap opera where there always seemed to be one parked outside the Ewing’s Southfork Ranch. This association with rich, lavish lifestyles did the car no harm whatsoever, especially in America, a huge market for the model.
Mechanically, much of the running gear came from the mid-sized W114 saloon and coupé range, initially combined with the V8 engine of the W108/ 109 cars; a tried-and-tested unit that found a great home in the smaller SLs. Initially, just a 3. 5-litre engine was offered, with the car being publicly known as the 350 SL. This was followed by the 4. 5-litre 450 SL in 1973, and then the more economically-minded 280 SL (as here), which introduced a six-cylinder engine in order to better battle the era’s fuel crises.
A minor facelift in 1980 didn’t do too much to the looks, but just dialled in some mechanical upgrades, changes to the cabin, and new V8 engines, resulting in the demise of the 350 and 450 and the advent of the 380 and 500 SLs in their place. The 280 SL was discontinued in 1985, superseded by the 3. 0-litre 300 SL, which revived a great name from Mercedes-Benz’s past, while the new V8 420 SL also popped up to replace the 380 SL. There was also the flagship 560 SL, immensely well-endowed with a 5. 6-litre V8, but this didn’t make it to Britain, being sold only in the USA, Australia and Japan.
The last SL was built in August 1989, marking a total of 237, 287 produced overall. As well as being a huge sales success for Mercedes-Benz, they have also become one of the marque’s most definitive models, loved by legions of enthusiasts throughout the world.
OUR CAR
This isn’t a classic it’s easy to overlook. With its vibrant Signal Red bodywork, it’s a real head-turner, even amid other SLs. Having been built in 1981, it’s one of the post-facelift examples of the 280 SL, so incorporates a lot of the improvements that Mercedes-Benz made over the years. The cabin is finished in a Cream Beige - that was the official term given - along with MB Tex seats inset with Sports Check fabric. The hood is black.
The car stayed with its first owner right the way through until 2006, being initially acquired as part of a deal when the gentleman in question sold his company. He obviously looked after it and used it sparingly, for when he came to sell it, a quarter of a century later, it had only done just over 55, 000 miles. It does seem that the car was stored from 1994 to 2001 though, which would help explain some of the comparative lack of usage. Since then, it’s only gone up to a smidgeon over 60, 000 miles. Given that the robust engines of these SLs are capable of huge distances, this one is practically only just run in. While there’s no current MoT, one will be put on for any new buyer.
The documentation includes the original Mercedes-Benz booklets, such as the list of European dealerships, engine parts booklet and owner’s manual. There’s also the service record; however, as this has some water damage, there’s also a less fragile reproduction copy. A facsimile of the owner’s manual is also in the box file that contains all the paperwork, along with extensive MoT history and other assorted bills. Recent servicing was carried out at 58, 438, 58, 710 and 59, 274 miles, so the car has received due care and attention lately.
While there’s no evidence of the the car ever having been restored - it’s just survived remarkably well in original condition - we believe the gearbox was rebuilt not long ago.
BODYWORK
Given that the car is believed to be original, then its condition is remarkable. As well-constructed as these cars were, to still look like this after 40 years - even if stored for some of that time - is a tribute to the conscientiousness of its past owners. When problems strike, they often do around the jacking points, which are part of the sills. However, all are very solid here.
The paintwork is in lovely order, with that superb and very bright Signal Red paint having few flaws. Stonechips are minimal, even around the front, and although some have been touched up, the job has been done so well that you need to look closely to find them. Inside the petrol flap, you’ll find the tyre pressure data sticker is still in place and barely marked by the passage of time. The most obvious blemish you’ll find is the extreme edge of the driver’s door having lost some paint, presumably where it scraped a surface when being opened. This has been touched up well though.
All the chromework is similarly good, with only some minor scuffing on the corners of the rubber inserts. Colour-coded wheeltrims are fitted, rather than alloy wheels, and they’re also very finely preserved. The thin aluminium can easily be bent out of shape, but none of the four display any of that. Neither is there any damage.
The tyres match all around; they’re Kumho Solus KH17 195/ 70 R14 91H items all around, date-stamped 2013. There’s plenty of tread left, and the sidewalls are in very good order. By verifying with the MoT history, they have covered just a few thousand miles.
The manually-operated black hood has seen such little use that it’s still very tight and taut. The black fabric is in just as good order as everything else on this car; you won’t find any tears, fraying or areas of wear. All three plastic windows are clear, and still offer excellent visibility.
INTERIOR
Given how pale Cream Beige is for an interior colour, keeping it clean can be a challenge. Here though, there’s very little sign of any wear or tear. The carpets, protected by overmats, are very good, with very little in the way of marks from grubby shoes, and even areas such as the door pulls on the spotless door cards show no discolouring. There’s not even any scuffing on the seats from people getting in and out. There is a small mark on the driver’s seat right-hand side, which looks like it might have been made by a pen, so some judicious cleaning may get rid of this, leaving the interior pretty much faultless.
The wood veneer that runs through the dash and also decorates the centre console is also in great order, with only a few tiny areas where the veneer is beginning to lift, mainly around switches. Under normal viewing, nothing is noticeable.
A Caliber retro-styled radio / CD player is fitted, with auxiliary, USB and SD card inputs, which suits the SL’s interior very well. It may look like the sort of Becker unit that the car would have come with when new, but it offers much better sound and ICE options. It’s connected to an electric aerial that quickly extends and retracts with the ignition. The area behind the rear seats has a first aid kit professionally installed, and there’s a fire extinguisher fitted in the passenger footwell, directly in front of the seat squab.
All the electrics function as intended, with the windows being very swift to go and and down. The oil pressure gauge does show a little temperamentality sometimes, not always giving a reading. The clock, which often gives up the ghost on these cars after a number of years, is functioning fine.
The boot is fully carpeted with the same colour material as elsewhere in the car. Lifting up the carpet reveals a solid and sound boot floor, plus a Kumho spare wheel that matches the ones on the axles and doesn’t look like it has ever been used.
ENGINE AND RUNNING GEAR
Underneath the bonnet, the engine has been well-detailed, and hardly any of the sort of dirt and grime often found in such a working environment. Even the cam covers have managed to escape the mottled effect that often strikes these areas. Everything looks standard, a lot of the original stickers are still in place and holding up well, and there’s no obvious damage to the wiring or paperwork.
The car has been thoroughly undersealed, and there are no signs of corrosion beyond the usual cosmetic, superficial stuff. Neither does the MoT history show any signs of problems in the past.
The engine runs superbly and the car drives well. It starts instantly, there’s no roughness when cold, and no concerning noises from within. 182bhp is a pleasing amount of power to play with, and the SL is lively and responsive across the range of its four-speed automatic transmission, which shifts smoothly and appropriately. The car behaves exactly as it should; a nice turn of speed, especially when prompted by kickdown, with excellent, sharp handling and very effective brakes.
SUMMARY
This is an excellent example of its breed, and made all the more special because of its originality and low mileage. It’s very much how the car must have been when just a few years old. Many SLs have now gone way past the 60, 000 miles that this one has done, or been over-restored to the point where they’ve lost some of their patina and character. This one hasn’t, and certainly seems very healthy, with years ahead of it before any significant body or mechanical work is likely, assuming it is properly looked after. These are tough and desirable classics, with excellent specialist support, and they’re also very desirable too.
Whilst Greenside Cars Ltd has tried to ensure information and assessments are accurate and complete, we are aware that some errors and omissions may occur from time to time. We are not able, therefore, to guarantee the accuracy of information and cannot accept liability for loss or damage arising from it. We highly recommend that you examine any vehicle to check the reliability of the information supplied. Please contact us for further details, images, or to arrange a viewing of this Mercedes-Benz 280 SL.
