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..
✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.
✓ 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.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.
✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection
or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it's worth checking beforehand. It is the bidders responsibility to confirm import eligibility prior to purchase.
