・Fabulous V8 engine mated to an automatic gearbox
・Complete with matching hard top

The 350 SL was first released by Mercedes Benz in 1971 and continued in production for 19 years up until 1989.

As an open topped 2-seater, it was a bit of a mould breaker for Mercedes and the luxury sports car market generally. Featuring a powerful engine up front but combined with sumptuous interior turned this 2-seater into more of an open topped grand tourer which opened up a whole new market for Mercedes and others who followed in their footsteps.

This Metallic Green SL (The vendor believes the official colour is actually Silver Green Metallic) was first registered on the 1st of May 1972 by supplying dealers Rob Walker of Warminster in Wiltshire.

Service records show perhaps a move by the owner to Dorset before the car started being serviced in Sheffield in 1978.

 It has since remained in the area and was purchased locally by only the third owners in October 1992 as their first venture into classic car ownership. The vendor recalls mileage to be approximately 105,000 miles at the time, so this Merc has only covered roughly 8,000 miles over the last 29 years.

Lack of use led to the SL being taken off the road and garaged in 2011, but it’s recently been taken out of storage, Mot’d and put back on the road ready for a sale.

There is a current V5c registration document in the vendor's name along with an Mot running through to July 2022.

There is also the original service book with stamps up to 98,000 miles in 1987, original drivers manual and other booklets in the Mercedes supplied folder.

In the history file there are a number of receipts for previous work carried out, old mot certificates etc.

The interior presents well, seats are in good condition and the dash too looks impressive. The vendor tells us that some of dials and switches are not working; the cruise control and electric aerial were not working when the vendor bought the car, and is unable to confirm the reason as to why. The radio, clock and dashboard lights are also not working, and although the seller believes these issues may be fuse related, they have emphasised that they cannot confirm what is causing the problem.

Carpets are good throughout; with the driver footwell carpet mat having been replaced, whilst the passenger side remains original. Door cards are generally good, although there is a little damage to the drivers door card as our pictures will show.

Overall a very usable interior which will give a new owner many years of service.

Looking good for the photoshoot on a wonderfully sunny day in The Peak District, the 350 SL is finished in the classic Mercedes colour of the 70’s Metallic Green

The car has had some body work undertaken over the past years, notably new sills, rear wheel arches, inner front wings etc in ’94, with the work totalling  £3,618 .

Body work would appear to be sound, but on close inspection there are spots of surface rust showing through in places, notably where the hard top has rubbed around the tops of the rear wings.

There are a number of small chips on most panels, scratches on the boot lid and crazing on the front driver’s side wing top & hopefully the photos show these clearly.

All would appear to be superficial, but a little attention to detailing would improve the overall looks without excessive outlay.

This SL comes with a genuine hard top again painted in Metallic Green& the soft top appears to be in good condition and easily raised and lowered as required. It is a manually operated roof.

Driven by the vendor out to the shoot location, he stated that it drove very well with the engine & gearbox performing as they should.

Certainly, the engine started and ran smoothly when being moved around with no visible smoke or unusual noises from suspension, steering or engine & gearbox.

Soft top, wind in your hair motoring, throbbing V8 under the bonnet, automatic gearbox and Mercedes build quality, the SL has a lot going for it.

With a very strong enthusiastic owners club, there will always be like minded fellow owners to enjoy a drive with & with that large boot, somewhere to put overnight bags & the golf clubs to enjoy a stay over.

Roomy, comfortable and fast, an attractive alternative to early 70’s British classics.