When the successor to the W113 Pagoda SL was launched in 1971, few – including Mercedes themselves – would have suspected that the new model, the R107, would last until 1989. Yet the longer the car stayed in the range, the more popular it became. Production peaked in its 15th year and in total more than 237,000 were made, with 156,000 of those sold into the US market. The 300SL replaced the previous 280SL model in September 1985. 

Post-1985 (third-generation) R107s are particularly sought-after, featuring the late-run upgrades: improved suspension and added body strengthening, plus the chin spoiler. 

Combining glamorous looks, practicality and reliability with the thrills of top-down motoring, it’s perhaps no surprise that the R107 survived in the Mercedes line-up for as long as it did. As the model reaches its 50th birthday, those looks still hold up and the car is undoubtedly a classic.

 

 

With a brand new MOT this is one of the finest examples of a 300SL we have seen, the car comes with a big file of paperwork, including receipts for all the recent work including the respray and the new soft-top. There is the original owner’s manual, and Mercedes-Benz workshop directory, plus an original 300SL/420SL/500SL brochure. 

The original service book shows that the car has been serviced at the appropriate intervals, right up to the last service at 150,000 miles, however most importantly, over £15,000 has been spent on restoring the car over the past few years.

The car has done very few miles since its respray, and has been kept in a garage since then; the exterior of the car certainly shows this. There is hardly a mark on the smart dark-blue paintwork. 

The soft-top, being only 18 months old, is in immaculate condition and stows neatly in its compartment. There is a hard-top as well, which has been rarely used, looks excellent and is kept in the garage – see pictures. 

The badges and brightwork are all correct and in very good condition, although the plastic trim-line along the sides, the front grille and the plastic parts of the door handles are showing signs of age. 

All four wheels (15-hole alloys), are in extremely good condition, suggesting they are recent replacements, and the tyres have plenty of tread left in them. The lights are all unmarked. 

New radio aerial has been fitted as well as a new ventilation and heating system.  

 

 

The interior is in remarkably good condition, given the car’s mileage. The grey leather seats look very good with some slight wear and tear, but better than one would expect. The area behind the front seats has a rear bench-style seat (with seatbelts).

The dashboard and centre console look good, although there is some very small evidence of cracking on the walnut centre console. The handbrake sleeves is starting to deteriorate – see pictures. 

The carpets are pretty good too, with quality colour-matched overmats protecting those in the front footwells. Both interior door panels are in excellent condition, and the kick-plates in the door sills show very few signs of wear. 

All the switchgear works well, as does the (recent addition) Pioneer CD/radio. The dials all appear to function as they should, and the electric windows both work. 

In the boot, the lining looks reasonable, fitted with a spare wheel, there is also a first aid kit which looks as though it might be original.   

 

The car starts readily enough and has a brand new battery fitted. The engine sounds fine, with a healthy tone. The vendor reports that the car is a pleasure to drive and he regrets not having enough opportunities to use it. The automatic gearbox moves smoothly into drive or reverse, with no suspicious knocks or noises. 

Underneath, all seems fine as far as one can tell; the exhaust is in very good condition and the car looks very solid. New battery has just been fitted and a fresh MOT provided indicating that the car is in tip-top condition. 

BEFORE YOU BUY

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✓ 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..

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