Highlights
- Outstanding and original example
- Immaculate inside and out
- Fantastic hard-top
- Genuine low mileage
The Appeal
A legendary fixture in the classic car world, the R107 is one of the most ubiquitous classics in the world of top-down motoring. It's an appeal that endures to this day, proudly sporting glamorous looks and a build quality that continues to impress. Combine that with excellent handling and it's no wonder that the car is so popular. Launched in 1971, the R107 became a pop culture icon, and by 1989 had appeared in Dallas, Hart to Hart, The Six Million Dollar Man, The Rockford Files and many other TV fixtures. It may not be the rarest car, but it's still sought after,
Thanks to low mileage, good storage conditions and a charmed life with plenty of maintenance, this highly original example ascends close to showroom order.
The History and Paperwork
- Dry-stored through its lifetime
- From a deceased estate
- MoT is valid until December 2023
- Past MoT certificates
- Full VDI check
- Thick file of historic invoices
- Original owner’s manual, service book, radio manual
The vendor acquired the car from the estate of a deceased previous owner, and understands that it has been dry-stored throughout its life. The fabulous condition of the car, both inside and out, would certainly back up that assertion. Of the three previous owners recorded on the V5, the vendor understands that two were members of the same family.
The service history is complete and shows that the car has done only around 3000 miles in the last twenty years.
The original leather folder contains all the manuals, including that for the radio, as well as all the original paperwork, and the service history book. There are a number of previous MoT certificates and invoices for work carried out, and the car has an MoT valid until December 2023.
The Interior
- Amazingly clean and original interior
- Clean, unmarked carpets
- Wood veneer immaculate
- Fabulous seats
- Door cards look like new
- Original Blaupunkt radio
- ‘+2’ seats look unused
- New mats
- Clean and tidy boot lining
- Original toolkit, first-aid kit, warning triangle
- Spare wheel and tyre
Nestling into its cream and beige plaid seating, this R107 feels like a timewarp. From the subtle wood trims to the cream door cards, the astonishing interior of this car feels like it could have just left the showroom: there are virtually no giveaways of the car’s age, a testament to a lifetime of careful, diligent ownership. It's clear from first glance that this has been the pride and joy of every driver to sit in its opulent cabin.
The seats are in fabulous condition, both front and back, proudly sporting one of the R107's most popular colour combinations. The ‘+2’ seats in the rear look unused, while the driver’s seat has only one slight scratch visible on the side bolster. Folding down the rear seats reveals a generous extra space for luggage, which is in good order.
The seats are in fabulous condition, both front and back, proudly sporting one of the R107's most popular colour combinations. The ‘+2’ seats in the rear look unused, while the driver’s seat has only one slight scratch visible on the side bolster. Folding down the rear seats reveals a generous extra space for luggage, which is in good order.
The carpets across the board are in extremely good condition, with no marks or discolouration, and a glance underneath those in the front reveals a clean and rust-free floorpan. The vendor has just bought new overmats, ensuring that even these are spotless.
The stylish wood veneer on the dash looks as new, with no cracks, splits or marks to the lacquer that we can discern, with all of the dials and switches appearing clean and easy to read. Every one of the generous internal options are working as expected - the electric windows, the vanity lights on the sun visors... to complete the authentic timewarp experience, the car even boasts its factory-fitted original Blaupunkt complete with its manual and code.
The boot is in excellent order with good, clean carpets - there is an original first-aid kit, apparently unused, along with the original warning triangle, jack, wheel brace and spare wheel. The tool-roll and tools are also present in excellent order.
Ultimately, with only very minor faults on display, this is an utterly superb example of the R107's
Ultimately, with only very minor faults on display, this is an utterly superb example of the R107's
The Exterior
- Fabulous Nautical Blue paintwork
- Chrome and badges as new
- Superb wheels
- Goodyear tyres all round
- Original hood in extremely good condition
- Immaculate hard-top
Sharp lines and a timeless character are fixtures of the R107's popularity, and as an ambassador for the model, this car is exceptional.
As with the interior, the car’s exterior looks as though it has just been driven out of the showroom. Finished in Nautical Blue - one of the most popular colours for the R107 - the eternal presentation of this car is immaculate, with no chips, scratches or scuffs that we can discern. To sweeten the deal, the car comes complete with its hard top, which looks to be as good as new - it even features the original, unfaded dealership sticker on the rear window.
This continues across the chromework, which is very brightly presented, and the headlight lenses, which appear to be clean and fracture-free. The soft-top is also in outstanding condition, with only a tiny slit in the nearside window panel and trim below where it's been folded.
This continues across the chromework, which is very brightly presented, and the headlight lenses, which appear to be clean and fracture-free. The soft-top is also in outstanding condition, with only a tiny slit in the nearside window panel and trim below where it's been folded.
The alloy wheels are also virtually ‘as new’ and there are sound Goodyear tyres all around, which all have plenty of life left in them.
Underneath, the car appears to have benefited from being kept clean and dry - we can't discern any signs of corrosion or reason for concern.
Underneath, the car appears to have benefited from being kept clean and dry - we can't discern any signs of corrosion or reason for concern.
The Mechanics
- 2962cc engine
- 4-speed auto gearbox
- Starts and runs beautifully
- Outstanding engine bay
- No knocks, bangs or excessive smoke to report
- Unmodified save for a new battery
- An exceptional example with a comprehensive service history
The car starts on first turn of the key, gear changes are smooth and quiet, and the engine sounds lovely. The vendor us assures that it drives as well as it looks. With its modest 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.
Open the bonnet and, again, it’s difficult to believe the car’s age and mileage. The engine looks amazing, and aside from a modern Bosch battery everything looks much as it must have done when new.
Summary
The R107 is a bona fide modern classic. For top-down motoring in style and comfort, there’s little to match it. Its looks are timeless and values continue to increase, especially as really good examples are now so hard to find. There’s virtually nothing to fault on this one – The vendor believes it’s probably the best of its kind in the country, and it’s hard to argue with the claim. If you’ve always wanted a 300SL, this is the one to buy.
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