Quality speaks for itself – and there’s no denying the longevity of Mercedes-Benz’s legendary ‘R107’ SL, from its extensive 17-year production run to its status today as one of the world’s best-loved classic sports touring cars.
SLs have survived in their droves, as tasteful now as they were when new.
Introduced in 1972, the R107 SL was a symbol of wealth and good taste and one of the most aspirational cars money could buy.
In the UK, it survived the economic strife of the Seventies to end its life as a symbol of Eighties extravagance – a definition of the Yuppie Years that underscored a decade. It was a popular car, not least for its handsome styling (the work of Joseph Gallitzendörfer, who was a senior stylist with Mercedes-Benz for over 30 years). Its comfort, solidity, sturdiness and mechanical longevity were second-to-none.
This example is a 500SL, which is the most desirable of the standard SLs thank to its 230bhp 4,973cc V8 along with automatic transmission. That alone gives it appeal, but the story that goes with this one and its impeccable condition deliver much, much more. As R107s go, you’ll struggle to find better.
The history file on this SL is something else, documenting over 40 years of it being lovingly maintained by four owners, all of whom have clearly cherished and adored it.
It was supplied new in 1981 to an owner in Dorset and was registered as 6 FLG. He kept it until 1986 when it passed into the hands of its second owner, who owned it until the early 1990s. It then went to a third owner with the same surname, presumably his son, cousin or brother, before it was acquired in 2001 by the current owner, who bought it from a prestige car dealership in Cambridge.
It has since become part of the vendor’s family and is being sold in what he describes as a “very difficult” sale, as the entire family love the Mercedes. But with the younger members of the family at an age where they want to buy property, the SL is being sold to raise capital.
It comes with an extensive history file containing every invoice, receipt and service document right back to year one, along with all of its original MOT test certificates and even all of the old V5 registration documents. Literally everything is there, right back to August 1981 when the SL was first registered.
Since the vehicle has already been MOT'd the new owner will not have to worry about that.
As R107 interiors go, this one is superb, helped no doubt by the fact that the car has been kept under cover for most of its life and certainly for the past 21 years, as the owner has kept it in an outbuilding at his property.
As a result, there are none of the usual cracks on the dashboard nor any fading to the trip, veneers or warped door cards. It’s superb. The only negative here is the radio currently not working.
In the late 1990s, a previous keeper had the middle part of the driver’s seat refinished with new cloth inserts where the originals had worn. To do so he bought an entire roll of the correct Mercedes-Benz material, most of which is left and will be supplied with the car.
The tonneau cover and hood stowage area are excellent, with no rust to be seen in the rear deck, and all of the controls, work as they should.
The vendor has recently had some bodywork done on the SL to remove rust from the sills and wing bottoms, and a receipt in the history file documents around £7,000 in expenditure to get this sorted. The car was also repainted in its original Diamond Blue and the “Mexican Hat” alloy wheels refurbished.
It looks absolutely fantastic. It has also been fitted with a brand-new hood in 2021, which really looks the part. There’s also hardtop, seen here on a hardtop stand, but painted body colour and completely free of corrosion.
While the body was being tidied up, the vendor also had the exterior chrome refinished, making this a wonderful example of an R107 in peerlessly good condition.
The 4,973cc V8 engine starts well, holds a steady temperature and shows excellent oil pressure. The impeccable maintenance history should prove reassuring to any potential buyer, and the vendor reports that the car is brilliant to drive, operating without fault and with impressive reserves of power.
This is a pre-facelift 500 SL, which is about as good as an R107 gets in terms of collectability – only a late 560 would come close otherwise.
It’s in stunning condition, has a perfect roof and hardtop and looks amazing, but even more incredible is the file of history that goes with it. It’s a wonderful, wonderful car.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
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1981 Mercedes-Benz 500 SL
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