Both hard top and folding soft top are in fantastic condition
Factory optional rear seats fitted
Genuine 65,000 miles
The Appeal
Perhaps one of the most enduring classics in automotive history, the R107 needs little introduction.
Glamourous looks, astounding build quality and a rewarding all-weather driving experience all add to the extraordinary appeal. It is still much sought after, particularly the later facelifted 300 SL, with its rust-proofed body and legendary 3-litre straight six, the refined engine is powerful but more frugal than the older power plants and it quickly became the sweet spot in the range.
This superb example is one of these more desirable, later facelifted cars, having been registered in 1988, a year before production ended. Condition is everything and thanks to its very low mileage as well as careful storage, this highly original SL ascends close to showroom order. Beautifully presented in a special factory two-tone colour way, affectionately known as ‘Crème Caramel’ by afficionados of the model. This vehicle is in simply exceptional condition and must be one of the best R107 roadsters available on the market today.
The History and Paperwork
Garaged throughout its lifetime
Advisory-free MOT until 6th February 2025
Full VDI check carried out by the vendor
Original owner’s manual, service book and radio manual
When the vendor acquired the car he understood that it had been dry-stored throughout its life, the fabulous, original condition of the car, both inside and out, would certainly back up that assertion.
The service history is remarkably well recorded and shows that the car has been used sparingly, yet still dealer-maintained, when required, covering fewer than 7,000 miles in the last twenty years.
After the previous keeper passed away, the car was no longer driven on the open road and kept garaged, yet the car was still trailered to the dealer every few years for a service. Since then, the current vendor has ensured the car has been brought back to a remarkable standard, with the last invoice showing an expenditure of over £3,000.
Delivered new by Mercedes-Benz main dealers Drake & Fletcher Ltd, the car carries the supplying dealer plates. The original leather folder contains all the manuals, including that for the radio, as well as all the original stamped service book with all important data card. Even the instruction card for the cruise control and factory-sealed spare key with case are present! A reassuring history like this only adds to the car’s desirability and long-term investment potential.
The Condition
Fabulous factory hard top finished in contrasting Impala Metallic
Chrome and badges all excellent
Superb wheels
Refurbished alloys and brand new rear tyres
Factory original hood in outstanding condition
Amazing all original full leather interior
Clean, unmarked carpets
New old stock period Blaupunkt radio
+2 Rear seats look unused
Original toolkit, first-aid kit, warning triangle
Factory Michelin spare tyre
This car looks as though it has just been driven out of the showroom. Finished in metallic Smoke Silver (702) - one of the most popular and evocative colours for the R107 - the external presentation is immaculate, particularly for car that is over 40 years old.
It comes complete with its hard top, ordered from the factory in very rare Impala Metallic (441) with a light headlining and looks to be in excellent condition. With the hard top in place, the contrasting and elegant colourway elevates this special roadster from the more mundane hues and makes it even more achingly desirable.
The good news continues across the chromework which is very smart and the headlight lenses appear to be clean and fracture-free. The vendor notes a slight dink to the outer chrome casing of the passenger side wing mirror, although this is so superficial that it doesn’t detract from the overall presentation.
The soft-top is also in outstanding condition, with all the original windows clear and crease-free. The alloy wheels are also virtually ‘as new’ having just been refurbished and these are complemented by brand-new matching tyres on the rear. Underneath, the SL appears to have benefited from being under-sealed and is clean and proper - we can't discern any signs of corrosion or reason for concern.
Nestling into its cream (275) factory leather seating, it feels like you’re back in 1988. From the lovely 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, proudly sporting one of the R107's most popular colour combinations. The ‘+2’ seats in the rear look unused. If we are being super picky we noticed some tiny cracks to the original handbrake cover in the rear, very common in these cars. The surrounding rear cards have just been professionally retrimmed back to factory standard to remove unsightly speaker holes. 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 floor pan. The factory ribbed over mats are still present and in good clean order; The stylish wood veneer on the dash looks wonderful, with no cracks or splits to the lacquer that we can discern, with all of the dials and switches appearing clean and easy to read. Every one of the generous internal options are working as expected - the electric windows, the vanity lights on the sun visors. To complete the authentic time warp experience, the car even boasts a Chromelondon-supplied new old stock period Blaupunkt radio cassette, complete with its manual and box!
The boot is in excellent order with good, clean carpets - there is an original factory first-aid kit, apparently unused, along with the original warning triangle, jack, wheel brace and spare wheel. The factory tool roll in red cloth and tools are also present in excellent order. R107 from this period always left the factory with a spare alloy wheel and tyre, these were always Michelin and this car is so original the factory tyre is still present!
Ultimately this is an utterly superb example of the 300SL.
The Mechanics
Powered by Mercedes-Benz’s legendary 2,962 cc straight-six
Refined four-speed automatic gearbox
Starts and runs beautifully according to the vendor
Outstanding engine bay presentation
An exceptional example with an excellent service history
Having only just received a full service, the SL reportedly 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, during the four-hour photo shoot the car started on the button and was moved to and fro with no issues at all.
With its very low mileage and comprehensive 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 complete stainless steel exhaust system has been fitted as well as new NGK plugs, a new Bosch rotor and distributor cap - Mercedes OEM of course.
Open the bonnet and, again, it’s difficult to believe the car’s age and mileage. The engine looks amazing, and aside from a modern battery everything looks much as it must have done when new.
The vendor believes this is probably the best, most original of its kind in the country. If you’ve always wanted an exceptional 300SL, this is the one to buy.
BEFORE YOU BUY
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