1981 Mercedes-Benz 280SL R107

With just 67,000 miles on the odometer and a service history that reads like a Who’s Who of the Mercedes-Benz SL world, this Astral Silver 280SL is one of the very nicest we’ve seen. The recent service history is great although the previous owner had misplaced most early history - some MOTs and original and rare Data card copy are included though. But the SL Shop had given it an all clear to sell through their showroom. The bulkhead was also checked by them and was in good condition

Powered by the silky-smooth 2.8-litre engine coupled to an automatic gearbox, it comes with both soft- and hard-tops. Rear seats too, which makes this the ultimate all-weather, all-family convertible sportscar.

The seller collected it from the SL Shop on Valentine’s Day 2017, a date that gave the car its family name. Very much a part of the family, he drove it to us – and enjoyed the trip so much he almost changed his mind about selling it…

But, he girded his loins and left it with us. So, if you’re in the market for an R107 SL you’d be well advised to make an appointment to pop along and see this one.

The R107’s reputation for longevity is well deserved, so we really shouldn’t be surprised when we come across one that’s still as tidy as this, even after more than four decades of faithful service.

Finished in Astral Silver, the metallic colour gives it a hewn from solid look the tight and consistent shutlines do nothing to dispel. Neatly aligned swagelines and ripple-free flanks reinforce the illusion, as do the rust-free sills and wheelarches.

The paint has clearly had some conservation work over the years but the work’s been done well and you only notice the slight variance in colour on the rear panel when it’s pointed out.

The overall impression is of a much-loved example that’s been looked after properly, which might sound simple but it’s probably rarer than you think. The professional storage he paid for, which included heating, has undoubtedly helped.

It also sports very good chrome with only the lightest of pitting here and there. Good lights, badges, and glazing all reinforce our opinion that this is one of the better SLs to have passed through our hands.

The steel wheels are fitted with a set of very good hubcaps. The seller pointed out they give the car a period 1970s feel, an assessment we completely agree with. Tyres are matching Bridgestone Turanza, all of which have good tread having only covered around 1000miles.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.

The blue folding hood suits the 280SL’s mood perfectly. Echoing the colour of the interior, it helps blur the lines ‘twixt interior and exterior in a way only the very best convertibles do. Thought to still be the original, it’s stitched with white thread, which provides a contrast with the fabric.

Its condition is good; apart from a small hole in one of the Polyglass windows, it is free of rips, tears, and other damage. The rest of the plastic windows are still bright and clear.

The seller did consider fitting a new hood but when he saw the poor quality of the replacements on offer, he opted to leave this one in place. This was a wise decision, in our opinion, retaining the originality with original Mercedes stamps on vinyl.

The SL also comes with the useful hardtop, so it can tackle winter weather with the same aplomb it does everything else. Painted to match the bodywork, it fits very well and comes with a cradle for storage, plus a handy protective soft case. The hard top has slight surface corrosion on underside lip - it’s a common problem and it doesn’t effect putting it on and can not be seen when fitted and some small marking on rear where the hard top has once rubbed.

Which means the list of jobs for you to get stuck into over the winter is small. There is a small patch of rust on the nearside A-pillar and another on the bonnet that will need attention before they become a problem.

Other than that, the things we can see the new owner might like to address are cosmetic: the nearside headlamp glass has a stonechip; and the rubber trim on the offside rear corner is bulging slightly.

The MB check cloth interior looks terrific. A recent professional valet helps but the quality shines through even beneath the gloss. Lift the carpets, for instance, and admire the condition of the sound-deadening underlay.

The switches still operate with a firm click too, and the lettering on them is vibrant and bright, which is quite something given they’re more than forty years old.

The instruments are good, as are the carpets and door cards. Heck, even the folding mechanism for the roof is clean and well presented. There’s no doubt this is a very well curated car indeed.

Further proof of this comes via the choice of a Blaupunkt Skagen DAB Bluetooth headunit. A clever choice, it gives the driver the chance to stream both music and phone calls. The face can be removed and taken with you as an anti-theft precaution too, so you can leave the roof down and not have to worry about theft.

This upgrade, and the touch-point for an immobiliser on the centre console, seem to be the only changes from the car’s factory specification.

With that alluring blend of firm springiness and all-day comfort that seems to be unique to Mercedes, the SL’s seats are as comfortable to use as they are gorgeous to look at.

It’s got the rear seat option too, and these are in an even better condition than the ones up front.

As you’d expect of a high-end convertible, there is plenty of wooden veneer and this is in the same great condition as the seats.

Other lovely details include the presence of the soft case that keeps the two chromed roof handles safe, a comprehensive tool kit, and an indoor car cover. Work to do? Well, the vinyl on the sunvisors is a bit baggy and there are a few small cracks in the trim around the handbrake. That’s it.

The engine bay is neatly presented without being overly detailed. This means those of you more interested in driving than polishing will be fine, while those of you with a penchant for detailing will find something to keep them occupied. The best of both worlds, in other words.

The underbonnet sound deadening is in great shape. This might sound like a small detail but it’s often the small details like this that reveal the most about how a car has been maintained.

As you can see, the inline-six petrol engine fires up readily and settles into a steady idle with no warning lights illuminated. It revs as it should and drives beautifully but then you’d already guessed that, hadn’t you?

It won’t surprise you to hear the seller took it down to Le Mans last year, a trip that demonstrates his complete faith in his car. Mind you, he says he’s always struggled to spend money on it as Roger Edwards Motors kept rebuffing his requests for additional work, telling him it simply didn’t need it.

He did lend the car to a friend for a while, and he arranged for the odd oil leak to be remedied as a ‘thank you’. The radiator was re-cored too, which was – again – something he’d been advised wasn’t really necessary. This genuinely is a money-no-object example.

As for the underside, not a single MoT tester has had cause to mention structural corrosion over the years, which says it all really, doesn’t it? (He did ask for it to be undersealed but was told he’d be wasting his money).

Further proof of the seller’s diligence comes with the news that, despite not needing one, the SL has an MoT certificate. Valid until January 2024, it was gained, like every one since 2017, with no advisories.

This isn’t a surprise. Just take a look at the history file. Displayed in individual protective sleeves, the presentation alone speaks volumes as to the seller’s fastidiousness as a collector.

Comprising expired MoT certificates and old invoices, enthusiasts will rejoice to see invoices from independent Mercedes-Benz specialists such as the SL Shop, Robin Lamb, and Roger Edwards Motors.

The previous owner had the car, the seller thinks, for about ten years. He had it serviced by the SL Shop and eventually sold it through them too, and as anyone who’s dealt with them knows, the fact they agreed to sell it is an endorsement in itself. The SL also comes with the book pack, the owner’s handbook, and two sets of keys. Of course, the recent Vehicle History Check is clear.

The R107 Mercedes-Benz SL could be seen as an MGB for people who won’t compromise on space, performance, handling, or safety in their classic sportscar.

Very nearly as modern to drive as your family hack, the SL is capable of taking you vast distances without leaving you deaf, aching, or broke.

It’ll also be as much fun popping down to Sainsbury’s as it will wafting down to Saint-Tropez - and there aren’t many classics you can say that about.

As for the investment needed to make this one yours, we think somewhere between £20,000 and £25,000 should do it, which seems like good value to us given it is one of the nicest examples of what might be the best version we’ve seen in a long time.

And yes, you could probably find a cheaper one but the premium you pay for a well-maintained one in this condition will ensure it’ll be easier to sell and fetch a better price when the time comes to pass it on.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ, Abingdon. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.