• Lovely R107 in superb condition bodily

 • Rare solid red

 • Comprehensive history 

 • Lots recently spent

 • 12 month MOT

Introduced in 1972, the classic R107 SL was one of the most stylish cars of the 1970s and 1980s – a symbol of wealth and good taste and one of the most aspirational cars money could buy, finding favour among the rich and famous.

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 defined 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 also helped it enjoy an 18-year sales run. 

It had a very advanced roof system for its era, whereby the retractable soft top could be folded down and stored under a body-coloured tonneau cover and the hardtop fitted on top for use over winter, which in many ways made the SL one of the first-ever coupé-cabriolets. 

This example is a 500SL, which is the most desirable of the standard SLs. That means it gets a 230bhp 4,973cc V8 along with pretty impressive levels of standard equipment. 

A 1983 car, it’s one of the last pre-facelift examples which are arguably prettier than later cars.

 • MoT until April 2024

 • Record of work carried out between 1999 and 2020

 • Original manuals and service book

 • Recent invoices for body and mechanical work

 • Fastidiously maintained

The current owner has had the Mercedes in his collection since 2020 – he collects cars from all eras and enjoys making improvements to each one. He has spent a fair amount on the SL both on getting the body tidied and on general servicing, and his efforts have not been wasted on this beautiful example. 

The car comes with a vast folder of history going back years – including the original book pack and manuals, plus a service book that shows it was registered new in 1983 to an owner in Surrey, supplied by the well-known Alan Day Mercedes-Benz dealership in Finchley, London, and originally wore a cherished registration.

There’s a comprehensive ownership record since, with stacks of old MOTs and invoices. 

 • Black leather

 • Walnut inserts

 • Excellent overall

R107 interiors can show their age if not well cared for but the good news with this one is that it’s in excellent order with no major issues. If we were being picky, we’d highlight some minor chips to the veneers around the window switches but these are so minor they’re academic.

The doors, seats, headlining (in the hardtop), carpets and floors are excellent, the rear tonneau deck is superb and free of corrosion and the dashboard is great – none of the cracks often seen on the fascias of R107s.

 • Stunning solid red

 • Recent cosmetic work 

 • Excellent structurally

 • Superb hood and hard top

The vendor has just spent quite a bit of money having the 500 SL tidied up, including new rear wheel arches on both sides and some smaller welded repairs to the floors. The underside has been rustproofed and the outer bodywork given a clean and deep polish. 

It looks absolutely fantastic, with the ‘Mexican Hat’ alloy wheels in superb condition, a brilliant fabric hood free from any damage and a truly excellent hardtop, with none of the corrosion often seen below the rear window on SL tin tops. 

All of the chrome and trim is in good order. 

 • 5.0-litre V8

 • Three-speed auto transmission

 • Starts and runs well

The 4,973cc V8 engine starts well and appears to run fine, holding excellent oil pressure. It has had a very recent oil and filter service and some work carried out to the brakes, along with new fuel pipes, a gearbox oil change and new spark plugs. The vendor says that the car drives really well with no known faults. 

R107s have been on the up and up over recent years and this one is the perfect spec – a pre-facelift 500 SL, which is the best of both worlds. The prettiest example and also the best engine. Throw in a superb interior, perfect hardtop and excellent bodywork and it’s the ideal combination.   

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