Highlights

Very rare Polar White with blue leather interior
Low mileage of only 47,800 miles
Complete engine rebuild in 2022 by Mercedes specialist Albert Lock
Recently fitted with a new power steering pump and wiring loom made in Germany
Well-maintained by marque specialists and main dealers
Just two former registered keepers
MOT valid until April 2026

The Appeal

This car is proof of how well-regarded the R129 is in classic circles and how it therefore merits serious investment as required. Finished in very rare Polar White with blue leather, it is a very low-mileage car that benefits from a full engine rebuild using OEM parts in 2022 by marque ‘guru’ Albert Lock.

The vendor, who is a former Aston Martin concours judge, acquired the car in 2021 and has cut no corners looking after this car. Alongside the mechanical rebuilds the car has received a new wiring loom, built for the car in Germany, and a new power steering pump. Servicing has been entrusted to specialists like HA Lock and Colin Ferns as well as the Guildford main dealer.

All of this merely adds to the appeal of the SL320, which is arguably the most usable of the many R129 variants. The M104 straight six is good for 230bhp and is well-regarded for its durability. Not that that is an issue on this car, which has covered only 10,000 miles on the rebuilt motor.

Supplied with a matching hard top and presented in very good condition, this well-maintained car comes with the added bonus of a lengthy MOT to April 2026. There were no mechanical or structural advisories on the test.

The vendor says:

“It is wonderful to drive. I love this car, but I rarely own a car for as long as this (4 1/4 years) and it's time for me to revisit my bucket list.”

History and Paperwork

First registered 1st August 1996
Three registered keepers
Current keeper since June 2021
VIN number WDB1290632F140972
Purchased from Porsche specialist Cridfords in June 2021 with 38,092 miles
Currently showing just under 48,000 miles we are told
MOT valid until 1st April 2026 with minor advisories to note
Engine rebuilt in 2022
Mercedes-Benz Guildford short service completed
Additional service work carried out by H.A. Lock and Mercedes specialist Colin Fern in Richmond
Car inspected by Albert Lock's specialist team during engine and gearbox rebuild
Comes with original key and spare key (without fob)
Current keeper is an ex-Aston Martin concourse judge
Private plate shown in photos is included in sale

The vendor says:

“I purchased the car from Porsche specialist Cridfords in June 2021 who had taken the car in on part exchange. The car had covered just 38,092 miles and was a two owner car. In 2022, I decided to give the car over to the Mercedes mechanic legend Albert Lock, who was tasked with rebuilding the engine- looking to scour original parts still in the box, as I am an ex Aston Martin concourse judge and I knew the rarest thing obtainable on the 1990s SLs is original new engine parts. The work took about a year. The engine and gearbox was totally disassembled down to each nut and bolt and four of the six pistons were replaced with in the box originals sourced in Belgium. Albert thinks they may be the last original pistons available. Furthermore, A H Lock also replaced main bearings, con rod bearings, reconditioned the original cylinder head, gaskets, valves head bulbs, collets, flywheels and camshaft bolts and 23 manifold nuts. The gearbox was in very good condition so only filters gaskets and oil changes were undertaken before the entire engine and gearbox were gradually rebuilt.

“The other two items that can go through age and are hard to find and replace is the wiring loom and steering pump. I gave these tasks to TM Motors in West Molesey- who oversaw a complete new wiring loom made in the factory in Germany and also we worked together to source an original and totally reconditioned power steering pump. The result is a strong engine that is essentially new with only a few thousand miles since this work took place. the car is currently showing just under 48,000 miles. The body work is Polar white and is excellent condition. The car had just been fitted with a new soft top just before I bought it. The car comes with the original hardtop. I have has a Mercedes Benz Guildford short service as well as the service work form HA Lock, and a Mercedes specialist in Richmond, Colin Fern. The radio is its original Blaupunkt.”

The Condition

Rare Polar White with matching hard top in good condition for age
There are some minor points to note to the paintwork in photos
These include a touched-in scuff to the bumper and frontal stone chips
Body kit and bodywork in very good order as shown
Fitted with a new dark blue soft top prior to vendor’s purchase of car in 2021
We are told that the underside is sound
No structural advisories on current MOT
Minor advisories to note for indicator lights on MOT
Factory specification multispoke alloys in very good condition as shown
Fitted with Bridgestone tyres which the vendor says are in excellent condition
Blue leather interior is said to be in good condition
Factory specification includes electric front seats with memory and heating functions
Both soft top and hard top roofs could use a professional clean, we are told
Auto locking works, but the owner manually locks due to the car's age
Original Blaupunkt radio fitted

The vendor says:

“The car was throughly inspected by Albert lock's specialist team when they rebuilt the engine and gearbox and to the best of my knowledge there are no issues anywhere and the underneath is sound.

“The interior is good - original blue leather seats are in excellent condition- the roof of both the soft top and hard top could do with a professional clean.”

The Mechanics

M104 straight six 230bhp 3,199cc engine
5spd automatic transmission
Vendor describes vehicle’s running condition below
Engine rebuilt in 2022 by Mercedes mechanic Albert Lock summarised below
New wiring loom made in Germany by TM Motors in West Molesey
Original and reconditioned power steering pump installed since 2021
Engine essentially new with only a few thousand miles since rebuild we are told
No mechanical or running gear advisories on MOT
Regularly serviced since 2021 by HA Lock, Colin Ferns and Mercedes Guildford

2022 engine rebuild summary:

Engine and gearbox completely disassembled to each nut and bolt we are told
Four of six pistons replaced with original new parts sourced from Belgium
Replaced main bearings, con rod bearings
Reconditioned the original cylinder head, gaskets, valves, head bulbs, and collets
Replaced flywheels, camshaft bolts, and 23 manifold nuts
Gearbox only needed filters, gaskets, and oil changes

The vendor says:

“The engine starts every time and runs at its full power (240bhp). The gearbox is also solid. with no knocking sounds or squeaks whatsoever.”

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..

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✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.

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Commentaires

michael••••

il y a 5 jours

Bonjour, Oui, belle voiture. Le toit se soulève-t-il et se rabaisse-t-il correctement ? Quel âge ont les pneus ? Avez-vous le déflecteur de vent ? Merci.

Traduit de: English

Krdomin••••

Vendeur

Bonjour, oui, le toit se lève et se rabaisse parfaitement. Il est important d’effectuer l’intégralité du cycle à chaque fois. J’ai monté deux nouveaux pneus et je ne me rappelle pas si j’ai remplacé les deux autres ou s’ils étaient déjà là, désolé. Oui, le déflecteur d’air d’origine est là - on dirait qu’il n’a jamais été utilisé. Le photographe pro a en fait pris une photo de ceci – donc C&C l’aura probablement quelque part. J’espère que cela vous aidera — n’hésitez pas à me faire part de toute question supplémentaire. Bien cordialement KR

markjoh••••

il y a 6 jours

Bonjour, belle voiture. Pourquoi le moteur a-t-il dû être refait dès le départ ? Merci.

Bonjour ... il y a eu un problème de calage et le moteur a explosé dans un nuage de fumée blanche. Je l'ai emmené chez un spécialiste et ils ont démonté tout le moteur sans que je leur demande. Puis plusieurs composants clés du moteur ont disparu. Dégoûté, j'avais toujours entendu parler d'Albert Lock, alors j'ai expédié le moteur (en pièces) ainsi que le reste de la voiture vers lui, et il a trouvé une tonne de pièces originales encore neuves dans leurs boîtes (pratiquement impossibles à trouver) et a reconstruit le moteur. Il lui a fallu un an.