A legendary fixture in the classic car world, the R107 SL is one of the most sought after classics in the world of top-down motoring. It's an appeal that endures to this day, proudly sporting glamorous looks and a build quality that continues to be unmatched. Launched in 1971 the iconic SL is a much lauded all weather classic, particularly the later facelifted 500SL, with its legendary M117 5 litre V8, introduced from 1986 until production end in 1989. Galvanised bodywork and an upgraded silky smooth four-speed automatic transmission really did improve on an already highly accomplished package. Sitting at the top of the range this mighty V8 powerplant suits the refined R107 chassis perfectly and is the one to have. 

This exceptional example is one of these more desirable later cars boasting a remarkably high level of specification and a  comprehensive service file, thanks to it’s very low mileage, excellent storage conditions, titled provenance and no expense spared maintenance, this highly original SL ascends to virtually showroom order. It is simply incredible that a car that left the showroom in the late eighties still seems so factory fresh. Beautifully presented in the coveted colour way of ‘Strawberries and Cream’ which as you can see is a very photogenic and elegant colour scheme. This vehicle is in simply astonishing condition and must be one of the very best R107 roadsters available on the market today.
 

The vendor understands that it has been dry-stored throughout its life, indeed the last keeper being a knight of the realm spared no expense in its upkeep. The fabulous condition of the car, both inside and out, would certainly back up that assertion. The service history is meticulous and shows that the car has been used sparingly, yet still main dealer maintained every year, a total of 31 services showing the car covering less than 5,000 miles in the last twenty years. The vendor, a serious collector, has ensured the car presents to a remarkable standard, with the last invoice showing an expenditure of £3100. 

Delivered new by Normand Mayfair Ltd, prestigious Mercedes-Benz main dealers on Park Lane, the SL still carries the supplying dealer plates and rear window sticker. The original dealer monogrammed leather folder contains all the manuals, including that for the radio, as well as the original stamped service book with all important data card and even an unused dealer sticker. A box file comes with the car containing tax discs, every single historic MOT certificate, service invoices (inc for the air conditioning), buying guides and even the original dealer sales brochure!. Proof, if any were needed, of the car’s remarkable originality. A reassuring history and paperwork file like this only adds to the car’s desirability and long-term investment potential.

Nestling into its cream leather seating, this R107 feels like travelling back in time. From the subtle wood trims to the cream door cards, the astonishing interior of this car feels like it could have just left the showroom: there are virtually no giveaways of the car’s age, a testament to a lifetime of careful, diligent ownership. It's clear from first glance that this has been the pride and joy of every driver to sit in its opulent cabin.
 
The factory leather seats are in fabulous condition, having just been refurbished, proudly sporting one of the R107's most popular colour combinations. The ‘+2’ seats in the rear look unused.. Folding down the rear seats reveals a generous extra space for luggage, which is in good order. The carpets across the board are in extremely good condition, with no marks or discolouration, and a glance underneath those in the front reveals a clean and rust-free floorpan. The vendor has just fitted new ribbed overmats, made to OE quality, from Germany, ensuring a factory fresh feel in the cabin.
 
The stylish wood veneer on the dash looks in excellent condition. All of the dials and switches appearing clean and easy to read. Every one of the generous internal options are working as expected including the rare factory Air Conditioning, the electric windows, outside temperature gauge and heated seats... to complete the authentic timewarp experience, the car even boasts its original factory fitted Blaupunkt complete with its paperwork. Rare factory umbrella straps are located on the rear of the seats and the factory fire extinguisher is present as it should be.

The boot is in excellent order with good, clean carpets - there is an original factory first-aid kit, still sealed and unused, along with the original warning triangle, jack, wheel brace and spare wheel. The tool-roll and tools are also present in excellent order as well as a useful Mercedes-Benz wind deflector. Ultimately this is an utterly superb example of the R107.

Sharp lines and a timeless character are fixtures of the R107's popularity, and as an ambassador for the model, this car is exceptional. As with the interior, the car’s exterior looks as though it has just been driven out of the showroom. Finished in Signal Red - one of the most popular colours for the R107 - the external presentation of this car is immaculate, with no dents, scratches or scuffs that we can discern. Shut lines are uniform and the bodywork presents as straight as an arrow. To sweeten the deal, the car comes complete with its hard top, which looks to be as good as new, the vendor painted a section of it to remove some slight storage scuffs rather than attempt to simply cover them up - it even features the original, unfaded dealership sticker on the rear window and supplying dealer number plates.
 
This continues across the chrome work, which is very brightly presented, and the headlight lenses, which appear to be clean and fracture-free. To retain the factory fresh feel of the car the rear windows of the soft top have been renewed. The alloy wheels are also virtually ‘as new’ since the car has been garaged for a majority of its life, they feature premium tyres all round. Underneath, the car appears to have benefited from being kept clean and dry - we can't discern any signs of corrosion or reason for concern, the vendor has gone to the expense of undersealing the chassis for long term worry free ownership

 

 
Having only just been given a full service, inc brakes and coolant, the car starts on first turn of the key, gear changes are smooth and quiet, and the engine sounds lovely. The vendor assures us that it drives as well as it looks, in our four hour photo shoot we started and moved the car to and fro many times without any issue at all, indeed it started on the button every time without even having to press the accelerator. 

With its very low mileage and that comprehensive paperwork history, in addition to the R107’s reputation for longevity and reliability, the car should offer many more years of trouble-free motoring. Reassuringly a brake and coolant service have just been carried out too. Open the bonnet and, again, it’s difficult to believe the car’s age and mileage. Even the sound proofing on the bonnet is new. The engine looks amazing, and aside from a modern style Mercedes-Benz branded battery everything looks much as it must have done when new.
 

 
The R107 is a bona fide modern classic. For top-down motoring in style and comfort, there’s little to match it. Its looks are timeless and values continue to increase, especially as really good low mileage examples, in the right colour schemes, are now so scarce. Unmolested top of the range 500 versions with comprehensive history, particularly in this kind of collector quality condition, are now virtually impossible to find.

There’s virtually nothing to fault on this one – The vendor believes it’s the best of its kind in the country, and it’s hard to argue with the claim. If you’ve always wanted to invest in an exceptional top of the range SL that ticks all the boxes, this is the one to bid on and hopefully win. 

BEFORE YOU BUY 

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