When the successor to the W113 Pagoda SL was launched in 1971, few – including Mercedes itself – would have suspected that the new model, the R107, would last until 1989. Yet the longer the car stayed in the range, the more popular it became. Production peaked in its 15th year and between them the R107 and C107 variants sold more than 300,000 units, with two-thirds of those sold into the US market.
The SL (R107) variant was a 2-seater convertible/roadster with standard soft-top and optional hardtop, and optional folding seats for the rear bench. The 500SL, with the 4973cc V8 aluminium engine, was manufactured from 1980 to 1989.
From 1986 onwards, R107 bodyshells were galvanised and these are the most sought-after cars. Renowned for outstanding build quality, reliability and longevity, the R107 remains as popular as ever and good examples are becoming very hard to find.
History and Paperwork
Full service history
Supplied new by Normand Park Lane
MoT until November 2023
Recent £5k recommission
Original owner’s manual and associated booklets
Original manual for the Blaupunkt stereo
Invoices for recent work
D 846 FYT was first registered in December 1986. It has recently been given a full recommission by the vendor, with invoices for more than £5000 for this work included in the paperwork, and the work included a full service, a gearbox service and oil change, and underseal applied beneath the car. The MoT is valid until November 2023.
The car comes with a thick folder of paperwork including the original owners’ manual and service record book, with full service records (mostly carried out at main-dealers), plus the original manual for the stereo. There’s even an unused Normand Park Lane window sticker. The car comes with three keys.
The Interior
Grey leather seats in excellent condition
Rear +2 seats unmarked
Re-trimmed rear side panels
New factory-correct mats
Original tool-roll and tools
Heated seats and factory air conditioning - both rare options on a R107
Original first-aid kit
Fire extinguisher
Spare wheel and tyre in good order
With a reputation for style and comfort, the R107’s interior doesn’t disappoint. Even at first glance, it’s clear that this car has been carefully looked after and cherished. The interior looks superb, with very little wear evident on the grey leather seats; the driver’s seat-back has recently been retrimmed, while the rear ‘+2’ seats look as new. The original carpets all look superb, and the mats have recently been replaced with factory-correct, hand-made replacements imported from Germany.
The dashboard, centre console, dials and door cards are all superb – there are no cracks or obvious wear in the walnut veneer – while in the rear the side-panels have recently been retrimmed after the removal of aftermarket speakers.
There’s an original Blaupunkt radio/cassette player which works well and has recently been overhauled – a receipt for this in the paperwork. There’s also a fire extinguisher mounted in the passenger footwell.
In the boot, the liner is clean with no obvious stains or wear; beneath this is a spare wheel and tyre in very good condition. There’s also a tool roll with original tools, and a first-aid kit that appears never to have been used. Behind a cover to one side is an original warning triangle.
The Exterior
Timeless looks
Astral silver paintwork
Refurbished wheels
Two new tyres
New rear badge
Excellent soft-top
Immaculate hardtop
The R107’s clean lines have stood the test of time – it’s still an iconic design. This car looks fantastic in its Astral Silver paintwork – a relatively rare colour on the R107. It really sparkled in the autumn sunlight on the day of our photo shoot.
As an ’86 car, this one comes with the added reassurance of that galvanised bodyshell. It’s in simply remarkable condition for its age and mileage – look very closely and there’s a tiny chip on the nearside front wing, but it’s otherwise immaculate. The badges, lights and brightwork all look great, with the 500SL badge on the bootlid being a recently replaced Mercedes part. The soft-top is also in excellent condition, with no scratches or clouding in the rear windows and no obvious marks.
The alloy wheels have recently been refurbished and balanced, and look fantastic. Both rear tyres are brand new.
The car comes complete with a hardtop, which has also been refurbished and looks virtually as new.
The Mechanicals
4973cc V8 engine
Starts and runs beautifully
Underside recently undersealed
Recent gearbox overhaul
Mercedes pitched the R107 as a comfortable, luxurious car that could be driven quickly when asked, and this one lives up to that reputation. The car starts first time, the engine has a lovely note, and the vendor assures us that it drives and handles as well as its condition would suggest. Even just manoeuvring the car around for the photo shoot, the comfortable and supportive driving position was apparent. Gearchanges from the auto ‘box are smooth and quiet – this has recently been serviced and the gearbox oil changed.
Under the bonnet, everything is clean and well-ordered and again testifies to the careful tenure of previous owners. Beneath the car, there’s no sign of corrosion or of leaks, and the underside has recently been treated with underseal.
Summary
A true modern classic, for open-top motoring in style and comfort there’s very little to match the R107. With a reputation as a safe and reliable luxury two-seater, it’s a car that was built to high standards and, with good late examples increasingly hard to find, D846 FYT is clearly a car has been carefully stored, looked after and cherished throughout its life; the recent recommission has certainly enhanced an already superb car. The paintwork is excellent and the interior shows almost no sign of its age. It runs beautifully, and there’s the reassurance of that full service history.
If you want a well-built, comfortable and stylish sports car the R107 has to be high on the list of candidates, and there can’t be many better than this one on the market.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
