Description
• Comprehensively restored 2016 to 2024 and resprayed in red
• Further £6, 000 of improvements and welding work in 2024
• Recently completed a 2, 500-mile round trip to Red Bull Ring
• 185bhp straight six 2. 8L engine with rare 5-speed manual
• Only 99, 000 miles from new
• Large history file of historic and recent maintenance
• Garaged in a dehumidified environment
The R107 reputation as a mile-munching cruiser means that most were specified as automatics. But 23% of 280SL customers opted for the engaging 5spd manual and discovered the SL’s broader range of sporting credentials.
This car left the works in 1983 so-equipped and has recently completed a 2, 500-mile trouble-free trip to the Red Bull Ring. That was the culmination of a lengthy restoration process that began in 2016 and was completed last year. The work included a colour switch to red alongside extensive structural and mechanical work.
The vendor acquired the car near to completion and expended a further £6, 000 to get it up to the standard he wanted. This included further welding work to the boot floor and sills and replacing hundreds of screws and washers with robust stainless steel items.
That work is a credit to him and an opportunity for the buyer to acquire a very smart R107 where all the investment and work has already taken place. Alongside that rare manual box the car has desirable ‘Mexican Hat’ alloys and a factory rear seat option.
The vendor says:
This car is not 'Mint' or 'Concours' ..... However, it's very clean, a lovely colour combo, mechanically sound, no leaks, safe and thoroughly enjoyable to drive because it's a MANUAL 5 speed..... a must for a classic car.”
• Presents well in red overall with minimal marks due to respray
• Bodywork extensively restored by current and previous keepers
• Recent welding work in 2024 as detailed in photos
• Straight bodywork in good order with well kept arches, sills and panel edges
• Underside received recent welding work as detailed above and in photos
• Refurbished Mexican Hat alloy wheels in good order with matching spare
• Five new tyres recently fitted with few miles since fitting
• Brown folding fabric roof with clear rear screen and in good working order
• Exterior chromework presents well as shown
• Brown vinyl and cloth checked interior in good condition with light wear
• Fitted with factory rear seat conversion
• Clock currently not working but vendor states all other features work correctly
• Radio/ stereo has been upgraded with classic-style modern DAB/ USB unit
• New retro electric aerial
• Cabin veneers and other interior fittings in good order as shown
• Multiple USB ports added for phone charging and sat nav power
• Doors completely upgraded/ serviced with new membranes and fixings
• Under-bonnet detailing completed
• Hundreds of fixings/ nuts, washers & bolts replaced with stainless steel
• Many other parts renewed according to seller
• 2, 746cc straight six 185bhp engine
• Manual 5-speed transmission
• Car is reported to be good mechanical order
• Engine starts and runs well, we are told
• Unmodified, factory standard car
• Some transmission noises consistent with age and mileage according to the seller
• Wiring repaired and tidied up
• Battery master switch fitted for safety
• All oils replaced (gearbox, differential, engine oil + filter changed twice)
• Prop-shaft has just been extensively overhauled (circa £800), new bearing, couplings, bushings, fixings and balanced
• New fuel filter and fuel pump with fittings installed
• New plugs and air filter
• Mechanically sound with no leaks, we are told
• Vendor reports that the car is safe and enjoyable to drive
• Recent MOT in June 2023 with no advisories
• Recent 2, 500 fault-free trip to Red Bull Ring
MAKE A SENSIBLE OFFER, THEN WE CAN TALK.• First UK registered 1st September 1983
• Six previous keepers
• Current keeper since May 2024
• Factory supplied in Champagne
• Colour change from bronze to red recorded August 2010
• Resprayed by earlier keeper in red as above
• Previous keeper acquired car in 2016 for restoration
• He kept it in a garage for many years awaiting restoration
• Previous keeper spent eight years reassembling and restoring the car
• Stored in a quality garage throughout
• Approximately £6, 000 spent bringing it to the current standard since 2024
• Invoices for this work in the history file
• Work included replacing washers, nuts and screws with stainless steel items
• Welding to boot floor and sills and other repairs in April 2024 costing £2, 000
• Full service recorded in June 2023 at 96, 993 miles
• Stamped service book with regular attention as shown
• Factory handbooks
• V5C in current keeper’s name
• Registered as a Historic Vehicle
• Last MOT ran to June 2024 with no advisories and 96, 993 miles on test
• Now showing 99, 034 miles
• 2, 500-mile round trip to Red Bull Ring completed with no issues
• Currently stored in high-quality garage with a dehumidifier when needed
