Description
Kelham Hall | Newark, Nottinghamshire
Viewing: Tues 16th June from 12pm
Auction: Wed 17th June from 9am
Location: Main Street, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG23 5QX
1988 Mercedes-Benz 300SL
Recent £29, 000 refurbishment, 75, 000 miles
Estimate
£35, 000 - £40, 000
Registration No: F343 RVL
Chassis No: WDB1070412A090598
MOT: September 2026
Current registered keeper since 2002
Twelve main dealer stamps (PDI plus 11 service), three keys and a two-folder history file
Said to 'look stunning and drive great'
Desirable, 'final facelift' R107 in one of the best 'Silver Arrow' colour combinations
Revised for the final time ahead of the 1986 model year, Mercedes-Benz’s iconic R107-series SL range gained stiffer suspension, recalibrated power steering, improved rust-proofing, better brakes and larger fifteen-inch alloy wheels shod with lower profile tyres. A new chin spoiler reduced high speed lift by thirty percent, while the engine range was expanded to include the straight-six 300 and the V8 420 / 500 / 560 models. Lauded for its smoothness, turn of speed and fuel economy, the 300 SL was powered by a 2962cc SOHC engine allied to four-speed automatic transmission. With a quoted 185bhp / 188lbft on tap, the Roadster was reputedly capable of 0-60mph in 9. 1 seconds and 126mph. Accounting for 13, 742 sales (less than six percent of R107 production), the 300 SL was a familiar sight on the big and small screens with appearances in ‘A Fish Called Wanda’, ‘Lovejoy’ and ‘The Crown’ etc. Costing the equivalent of circa £92, 000 in today’s money before extras, the Mercedes-Benz was reassuringly expensive.
Built during the penultimate year of production to order number the details below for the UK market, chassis 090598 was finished in the stunning combination of Astral Silver Metallic with Medium Red / Burgundy leather upholstery. Additionally specified with a Black soft-top, outside temperature indicator, electric windows and rear seats, the Mercedes-Benz was supplied new to W. Russell Esq by Bargate Motors of Boston, Lincs. The latter continued to maintain the 300SL up until 25, 526 miles on 15th October 1996. Acquired by the renowned London advertising agency Abbott Mead Vickers the following June, the 2+2-seater was entrusted to main agents Malaya Bromley and Alan Day for servicing during their tenure. Passing to its current registered keeper in 2002, she continued the trend with Mercedes-Benz Bromley adding the last of eleven main dealer stamps at 60, 224 miles (plus the PDI). Looked after by local garages thereafter, the 300SL is warranted to have covered a modest 75, 000 miles from new. Totalling almost £29, 000, ‘F343 RVL’ has recently benefited from a through brake overhaul (new front callipers / pads / sensors, rear pads / handbrake pads), localised paintwork improvement (boot area, hardtop, lower front wing etc), front suspension fettling (strip down, new dampers), headlamp restoration, nickel plated wheel nuts, new centre caps, engine bay / underside detailing, refurbished alloys and fresh tyres etc. Notably well-preserved, the interior retains its period Blaupunkt Toronto stereo. Three keys are present and the history file extends to two folders. Deemed to ‘look stunning and drive great’, this desirable 300 SL is worthy of close inspection.
