Description
This is a lovely car, ready for the summer and the most desirable of the late R107 SL's! She is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 420SL, Automatic, 94k Miles, Finished in Signal Red with Black MB Tex Interior, she is in a good useable condition, has both Hard and Soft Tops and is ready for her next owner!
Built by Mercedes since 1954 across numerous generations, the SL - standing for ‘Super Leicht’ has proven to be a hit for Mercedes-Benz, being their second longest-running model after the ubiquitous G-Class. The R107 generation - as seen here - was introduced produced between 1971 and 1989, and was largely unchanged during this time, which is testament to just how good the original design and execution was. Available with a range of engines from a 2. 8-litre inline-six (280SL) up to the monstrous 5. 6-litre V8 in the 560SL, the R107 was based upon the W114 model architecture, and was available in either SL Roadster or SLC coupe’ format. Interestingly, the 280, 380 and 500 SL models continued after the demise of the SLC in September 1981, with the 380 and 500 receiving a re-tune, promoting greater efficiency and gained updated axle ratios - 3. 27:1 was raised to 2. 47:1 for the 380 - with the 380SL eventually bowing out in September 1985, to be replaced by the 420.
The 420 SL - such as the one we have here - was the rarest of the bunch, and arguably the pick of the ‘small’ V8-engined models, representing the final incarnation of the venerable M116 V8 engine, which was bored-out to 4. 2-litres of displacement, and produced 241bhp of power output. There were also numerous aesthetic refinements to both the interior and exterior, as these models were only offered post-facelift, from 1986-89. With only around 600 estimated to remain in the UK, the 420 SL is arguably the collectors choice of the R107 range, which brings us to this particular example.
First registered in 1987 - the second year of 420 SL production - and finished in the timeless and attractive colour combination of Signal Red (568) over a Black MB Tex interior (171) this SL has been cherished and loved throughout its lifetime, covering only 94, 000 miles in its 36 years of existence. She was ordered new, from the Official Mercedes-Benz dealer in Northampton, Arlington Motor Company Ltd, on the 4th December 1986 by its first owner, a Mr Alan Campbell, of Northampton, the original Purchase invoice is in the history folder. He purchased the car as a present for his wife, who used it regularly but only ever took the Hard Top off twice! The mileage crept up to 84k Miles in the following 25 years in their ownership, but in the last few years the car wasnt used much and fell into disrepair. Enter the SL Shop, famous suppliers of all types of SL who snapped up the 1 owner car for mild restoration. They worked on the car for the following 15 months and, when ready, retailed the car to its second owner, a Philip Larsen of Dover, in 2012, invoice also on file. The car now comes to us, showing only 2 owners in the last 36 years!
There are the original books with the car and the service book shows a few early stamps, but the first owner used a local garage for servicing for the majority of their ownership, so no invoices on file. The car has been regularly serviced in its life and is now showing 94k Miles and was serviced last year. The body is solid but showing little blemishes here and there but the car drives very well indeed! This is a rare opportunity to buy a low ownership, low mileage, post facelift, 420SL for a reasonable price! Please be quick, this could be £10k more expensive easily.
