The third generation of Mercedes-Benz’s SL series, the R107, is a car that’s rapidly shooting up in value and interest among collectors.
Massively over-engineered and restrained in their elegance, they among the absolute best of 1980s and 1990s classics.
This one is a mid-1980s 300SL, regarded by many as the best of the bunch, as it’s powered by Mercedes’s indestructible M198 engine and is more economical than the V8s, but with little shortfall in performance.
It’s part of a private collection that is being reduced in size to make way for business expansion and is a lovely and largely original car, which has had any corrosion removed and new paint during the owner’s tenure. Rg82jVbb6kwScoF8W2K9P3i8NJud2Xr6r2onCZkY.jpeg1017.32 KB
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
Owned since 2010
Old invoices and MOTs
Stamped service book from early in its life
UK V5C
New MOT on sale
Reduction of a private collection to create space for business expansion
The interior is superb and finished in a very unusual colourway, with a combination of green MB-Tex vinyl upholstery and matching chequered inlays.
It’s in great order, very smart and with no apparent faults or problems.
There are no cracks on the dashboard nor any fading to the veneers or warped door cards. It’s also the 2+2 model, though the wipe-clean rear seat really is only suitable for the smallest of passengers.
The last owner bought the SL over a decade ago and has had it as part of his private collection. He runs a vehicle bodyshop and had any rust removed and car repainted by his staff.
It’s finished in the highly unusual but very smart colour of Willow Green metallic – offered on the model for most of its life but with very little uptake in the UK.
It’s in superb order overall, with no signs of any visible corrosion nor are there any dents or damage to the bodywork, while there are photographs of the work carried out on the car in its history folder.
From what we could see, the underside of the car is also remarkably solid and in tidy order and is reported by the vendor to be structurally very good.
The soft-top roof is in great condition and goes up and down as it should, while the car is also supplied with a body-coloured factory hardtop that is in good order as well.VvqeATfGiEDdRlU6p2JSGtj5pfb7KqgqxpdNMkR1.jpeg1.09 MB
THE MECHANICS
3.0-litre straight-six
Three-speed auto transmission
Drives well
Full service and new MOT ahead of sale
The 3.0-litre six is one of the smoothest and most reliable engines of its era, with a decent turn of pace and a reputation for dependability.
This one has covered 115,000 miles, a drop in the ocean for an SL, and runs beautifully. The vendor says there are no known issues and that the car will be given a full service before it is sold, along with a new MOT.qr249hVkaT2fnlK1tWk0abYCUSZRAB1ADzh9ubKW.jpeg1.06 MB
SUMMARY
This is a great example of the 300 SL in a really unusual and quite appealing colour scheme.
It has been well-loved and preserved and is offered ready to go, in great order and in good cosmetic condition.
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