HIGHLIGHTS

Only 76k Miles from new
Comprehensive service history
Exceptional condition inside and out
2 Owners From new
Factory rear seats
Immaculate Hard Top and Soft Top
Cherished plate included in sale

THE APPEAL

When the R107 was launched as the successor to the W113 Pagoda SL in 1971, few would have imagined that the new model would last until 1989. Yet the longer the car stayed in the range, the more popular it became.

1986 Onwards R107s are particularly sought-after, featuring a galvanised chassis for longer life, improved suspension and added body strengthening, plus the chin spoiler. In essence, the elegant R107 shape remained largely the same from its introduction in 1971 until the end of production in 1989. Combining glamorous looks, all weather practicality and supreme reliability with the thrills of top-down motoring, it’s perhaps no surprise that the R107 survived in the Mercedes line-up for as long as it did. Numerous appearances in TV dramas and Hollywood movies have undoubtedly helped secure the model’s iconic status and desirability. Not many classic cars can boast this level of engineering integrity and such glamorous looks!

The 300SL replaced the previous 280SL model for the 1986 model year and this is such an example. Thanks to it’s low ownership, modest mileage, excellent storage conditions and a pampered life with plenty of maintenance, this highly original example ascends to an extremely high standard. Finished in a rare & evocative colourway, Deep Blue (code 900), with colour matching Hard Top, over Grey Karo sport check (078) and complimented with a Dark Blue (501) soft top. An elegant combination that only enhances this superbly presented car’s desirability.

THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK

Garaged through its lifetime
Full VDI check
Original owner’s manual and service book
Box file full of historic invoices and MOTs
Full set of keys with remote central locking

With only two registered owners from new, the vendor believes that it has been garaged throughout its life. The excellent condition of the car would certainly be a testament to this assertion. The maintenance history is comprehensive, includes 26 service stamps, assorted invoices and shows that the car has done less than 2000 miles in the last ten years.

There is a box file containing original leather folder with the original owner's manual, service books, radio manual and assorted invoices. There are also a number of historic MOTs present and reassuringly the car has a full MoT valid until June 2024 passed with no advisories.

THE INTERIOR

Original interior in outstanding condition
Factory rear seats
New ribbed carpet overmats as per factory
New walnut veneer console
Front and rear Grey Karo (MB 078) sport check trim
Original Blaupunkt radio with manual
Original toolkit, first-aid kit, warning triangle
Spare wheel and tyre

Obviously cossetted throughout its life, this is an utterly superb example of the iconic R107. Open the doors and you are entering a time warp of veneer and sports check trim. The ribbed over mats are new and were imported from Germany to directly match the factory ones in colour and material. The largest section of walnut veneer around the gear lever is new and enhances the feeling of luxury.

The original front seats show very few signs of wear, the bolster has a few tiny marks as you would expect, and the rear seats look to have never been used. Both door panels are in excellent condition indeed you can still see some of the original protective film from when the car was very first delivered. The plastic kick-plates are original and have some minor discolouration to them. The fitted carpets are clean, with very little wear, and those in the front footwell have clearly always been protected by over mats.

The dashboard, switchgear and dials all look to be in excellent condition and everything seems to work as it should. The car has electric windows, heated wing mirrors and an original Blaupunkt radio together with its operating manual – the electric wing aerial is working as it should on inspection. It all makes for a smart and comfortable driving environment, and to drive this car, top-down, on a sunny summer’s day, would be a supreme driving experience.

In the boot, the lining is unmarked and underneath there is a spare wheel and tyre in good order. There’s also an original first-aid kit. Under the spare wheel, the boot floor shows no evidence of rust and looks clean and tidy.

THE EXTERIOR

Rare Deep Blue (MB900) paintwork
Chrome and badges excellent
Superb wheels
Professionally undersealed
Good tyres all round
Original Dark Blue (MB501) hood in as new condition
Immaculate hard-top

The car looks simply stunning in its Deep Blue paintwork and the condition of the finish is a testament to its cosseted life. As with any car of this age upon close inspection a few tiny blemishes are visible. These are very minor but we are being picky, though: overall the car looks fantastic.

The brightwork, bumpers and badges all look good, and although the rubber strip on the trim is starting to show signs of its age it’s all intact and not perished. All four wheels are in excellent condition, and the tyres have plenty of life left in them.

The soft-top is original and is in remarkable condition, with no milkiness to the rear glass and no tears to be seen, another clue to its pampered life! The roadster is also supplied with its matching hard top which appears to have been hardly ever used and is immaculate.

THE MECHANICS

Frugal yet powerful 2962cc engine
Smooth 4-speed auto gearbox
Just given a full service
New MOT with no advisories
Outstanding engine bay
An exceptional example with comprehensive service history

The car starts on first turn of the key, and the straight six engine sounds lovely and runs as it should - it has only just been serviced. The auto ‘box slots readily into gear and the car pulls away smoothly and quietly. Under the bonnet, everything is remarkably clean for a car that is over 30 years old, it is obvious this is an engine that has been carefully maintained.

A modern battery has been fitted and everything electrical seems to work properly. Under the car, recently professionally undersealed, all looks reassuringly sound and proper, there are no signs of rust or of any leaks. Over the course of a 3-hour photo shoot the car was started and moved around constantly without any trouble at all.

With its low mileage and that comprehensive service history, in addition to the R107’s reputation for longevity and reliability, the car should offer many more years of trouble-free motoring.

SUMMARY

The R107 has a reputation as a safe and reliable luxury two-seater; it’s a car that was built to very high standards. Values continue to increase, especially as really good examples, in a colour scheme as desirable as this, are now so rare.

We really did struggle to find fault with this low mileage roadster and with properly cared for late R107s increasingly hard to find, this beauty is clearly an example that has been carefully stored and cherished throughout its life. The rare colourway is superb, the interior shows almost no sign of its age and It runs beautifully, what more could you wish for…? There really 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.

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