1987 Mercedes-Benz 300SL

This eye catching 300SL is a UK supplied and specified model from the last couple of years of R107 production. That’s not to suggest the SLs were ageing, unloved and underdeveloped in their autumn years. Quite the opposite was true. As late as 1985 Mercedes had introduced a closed loop catalytic converter across the SL range. The year before our car was delivered, SL sales peaked at 20,314 units. That’s in the 15th year of production!

This model harks from the post-1985 facelift of the R107. Changes were aesthetically restrained with the main news being a new range of engines, with Mercedes Benz once again chasing North America’s emissions and fuel consumption targets. The 280SL was replaced with this 300SL, reviving that iconic nomenclature for the first time since the SL story began back in 1952.

Our car was supplied by Mercedes Dealer Mertrux of Derby who also undertook the first inspection at 1,273 miles. The first owner seems to have kept the car for around four years and covered around 34,000 miles in that period. A mere three further owner followed before the current owner acquired the car in 2015 to become the SL’s fifth keeper. At this point the mileage had accrued in a linear fashion to around 108,000 miles.

Today the odometer reads 108,543 with the car only having been dry stored, maintained and MoT’d in its current ownership. With seven years in dry storage the owners attest to its very solid and apparently rust-free condition. It is also reported to be mechanically sound with the current advisory free MoT valid until May 2024 helping to verify that. The car is now only being sold due to a lack of space.

One of the other key attributes that helped keep the R107 in demand for so long was its timeless design that still manages to look fresh and desirable over 50 years after its first appearance. This example presents beautifully in its, seemingly, original Champagne Gold livery. Delightfully 1980’s.

The combination of the bright and lustrous paintwork, the shiny chrome accents to the bumpers, rub strip and window surrounds and the signature, “manhole cover” alloy wheels give this car road presence and head-turning character to spare. Those “'gullideckel” alloys are in a good overall condition and free from kerb-rash or dings, clearly kept out of harm’s way by the mixed set of 65 profile tyres. There is a little surface corrosion noted at the centres of a couple of the wheels, but this is only noticeable upon close inspection.

By the time our car hit the road, the sophisticated hard top was standard across the SL range. This tipped a nod to the earlier Pagoda roof by using chrome trim strips to mimic its predecessor’s concave features. The hardtop fits snugly and is complete with its original cabin glass in a great, used condition. There are a few signs of minor areas of touched in paintwork of the hard top.

Our photographic package will reveal that the retractable soft top is finished with an original looking, black fabric cover. The condition of this looks to be excellent, with no faults or imperfections noted to the fabric or hardware. The rear, plexiglass windows appear to be clear and transparent with no major folds obscuring vision and no splits or tears noted.

The interior presents as a highly original SL interior of the period. The box pleated seats are complete with the familiar “eared” headrests and are finished in a supple, perforated brown leather. They look to be in a great overall condition and no areas of significant wear is noted or reported. Rear seats are fitted in this example, which are identically trimmed and in pristine condition. These fold down to provide a useful, carpeted luggage shelf.

The door cards are finished in brown leather and comfortable and practical combined armrests and grab handles are fitted. Generous side pockets provide ample storage for your period sunglasses of choice and other paraphernalia. The dark brown carpets appear to be original and seem to be in fine fettle for the age of the car.

The dash is topped with brown finished deformable safety foam, which is in a fine original condition The surprisingly large, black four-spoke Mercedes Benz steering wheel presents equally well. A panel of wood veneer dissects the dash from side to side. The large, clear instrument binnacle houses a full set of black on white VDO gauges. The car is fitted with a more modern Blaupunkt Memphis head unit with Bluetooth connectivity.

The hard top is lined in a complementary, brown textured headlining and the overall condition is very good indeed and delightfully period correct. The hood’s light headlining is somewhat marked, rust stained and grubby looking but seems undamaged. The spacious boot is trimmed with deep brown carpet matching the cabin. The side panels conceal the original jack, tools and warning triangle. A full-sized spare wheel is housed under the boot floor.

Being a post-1985 facelift car, this 300SL features the sought-after 3.0L straight six engine. This 2962cc OHC unit was fitted with Bosch KE III-Jetronic fuel injection and mated to a four-speed automatic gearbox. This unit produced 188bhp at 5700rpm and 192lb ft of torque at 4400rpm. Configured more for spirited and refined touring, this was sufficient for a 130mph top speed. Many a purist values the straight six cars above other configurations. It is the least nose-heavy endowing it with an agile and lithe personality. This configuration also provides a sensible, real-world balance between performance and economy.

The engine bay exhibits the original Mercedes Benz data plates, detailing the various specification codes, the VIN and the permitted vehicle weights. It is in a great overall condition, too, appearing clean and well presented with all inner panels appearing straight and original.

The underside of the car appears to be well undersealed to preserve and promote its longevity. This gives it a presentation and condition which belies the age and mileage of the car and should prove a reassurance for the new owner.

The current owner reports the car as being in a sound mechanical condition which, as we will see, is certainly supported by the extensive paperwork archive.

This 300SL comes with a fine amount of provenance providing paperwork covering all periods of the car’s life. The current V5 and hard copy MoT are included together with a great many previous MoTs. The SL holds a current MoT to May 2024. No advisories are noted.

The original book pack containing owner’s manual and service booklet are also present. The service book contains a full 23 stamps, validating maintenance from main dealers and independents. The last service was noted at 108,242 miles in 2015 at the hands of experts The SL Shop. The remaining paperwork consists of a good number of maintenance invoices, mainly dating from the last 15 years or so.

The Mercedes Benz SL cars have long been sought-after staples of the classic car market. Their combination of style, efficiency and engineering integrity helps appeal to the enthusiast who listens to both heart and head. That’s a rare commodity and has helped launch earlier SL model prices into the stratosphere. The R107 offers the same rare blend of attributes but with the significant advantage of being available at a more attainable price point. The fact that this is a classic that could easily be used every day and, in every season, if required, helps underpin their popularity.

This example is a low keeper, sensible mileage example in a great period colourway and seeming to be ready to use and enjoy immediately. Although it has lacked recent use it was serviced just before its storage by The SL Shop and has been recommissioned at the point of its last MoT in May 2023. This car seems to offer a fine ownership opportunity for purists and enthusiasts alike.