1977 Mercedes-Benz 350 SL

As you might imagine, the highly-prized, ever-popular and much-sought-after Mercedes-Benz SL is a fairly familiar sight here at our Oxfordshire HQ.

They are revered as classics for a reason.

Whatever the iteration - gull-wing, pagoda, ‘R’ variants ranging from 107 to 231 - the base DNA remains the same: exceptional quality married to brilliant engineering in an enduringly attractive and luxurious package.

Well, of all the R107s we’ve encountered to date, this low ownership, low mileage example is without doubt one of the best.

It comes with three fat files of history, with invoices, bills and receipts dating from pretty much the day it left the factory right up to the here and now. 

Remarkably, this car has effectively had one owner from new. 

It was purchased by the vendor’s father in 2018 from Sussex Sports Cars (who bought it from the first owner), whose sales listing at the time said of the car, ‘Possibly the best original unmolested car we have had in the last few years’. 

At that time the car had amassed a paltry 46,000 miles.

The vendor’s father barely used it and the car was mostly SORN’d and in storage from 2018 to the present. The vendor, who has quite a collection of cars, has been equally sparing in his use of it.

The mileage in 2006 was 45,299. Today, it is 47,361.

We think it’s safe to assume that the first owner was not exactly profligate in his use of it, either. 

Aside from the odd panel repainted here and there and the replacement of parts only as and when necessary, this car has survived from 1977 until now without ever being subjected to any kind of restoration.

It is original, unrestored and highly authentic.

We have driven it and can attest to the fact that it retains all the exceptional build quality and engineering integrity bestowed upon it by the legendary Meisteringenieure of Stuttgart. 

The car feels balanced, poised and responsive, and the magnificent V8 picks up pace quickly and presses on with plenty of urge and enthusiasm.

Even the usual reminders that you’re driving a 47-year-old car - soft brakes, heavy steering, idiosyncratic suspension - are more notable for their absence than their presence.

In fact, you have to keep reminding yourself that this is a car that left the factory in 1977 – because it really doesn’t look, sound or feel like one.

All it needs, we fervently believe, is a decent long run across counties, countries or continents, and some regular use by its next lucky owner.

The vehicle presents extremely well from every angle and is a tribute to the skills of both the people who built it…and those who have maintained and cared for it over the years.

The bodywork is free of any dinks, dents, creases, folds or ripples of any consequence and the Astral Silver paintwork has an impressive depth of lustre and shine pretty much wherever you look.

The panels are smooth and even, and the gaps and shut-lines are crisp and consistent.

The hard top is in excellent condition, fits very well and doesn’t emit any rattles, squeaks or sighs when in situ.

The black fabric hood, too, is in fine order and has just a few storage creases to show here and there.

The wheels (all five of them) are in decent order, as are the matching Fulda tyres.

Ditto the chrome-work.

All lights, lenses and other exterior fixtures and fittings look to be in generally excellent condition, although the 350 SL badging on the boot lid is rather loose. 

There are a couple of small spots of blistering and/or touch-up paint around the base of the windscreen wipers. There’s also a tiny spot of blistering above the n/s/f light cluster, a few light scuffs to the rubbing strake on the nearside, and a scratch or two on the boot lid.

There are a couple of scuffs and marks on the bodywork beneath the windscreen, but they look like the sort that would capitulate in a cowardly fashion if threatened with some decent cleaning products and a polishing machine.

The good news continues unabated on the inside, where everything looks to be true, authentic and in commendably impressive condition. 

The houndstooth check black and white seats look very fine indeed and it’s only on rather closer inspection that a couple of small nicks and tears to the vinyl on the driver’s back-rest bolster become apparent.

That same bolster also feels a little less than firm, although both seats are comfortable, supportive and mechanically functional.

The black carpets and mats are decent, front and back, as are the door cards, save for a slightly loose storage binnacle on the passenger side.

The roof linings on both the soft- and hard-tops are in fine fettle and are generally beyond reproach.

There are a couple of small splits to the plastic shroud housing the base of the handbrake, and the sun visors have become decidedly ‘crispy’ to the touch.

The steering wheel, gear selector, instruments and dials all look good to us.

We didn’t tweak every lever, press every knob or flick every switch but - with a couple of notable exceptions - those we did tweak, press and flick did as they were told in a timely and uncomplaining fashion. 

The notable exceptions are the indicators and the hazard warning lights. We suspect a blown fuse, faulty relay, or some equally benign causation, but we can’t be sure.

The original Radiomobile push-button radio cassette player is in the very presentable boot, along with a spare wheel, car cover, toolkit and what we believe may be the car’s original First-Aid kit.

The engine bay is clean, shiny, dry and tidy, which is hardly surprising given the car’s low mileage and excellent maintenance history.

The vehicle’s undersides look equally impressive and full of structural integrity. We know that the car was fully Waxoyled by Sussex Sports Cars in 2022.

The vehicle comes with a big, heavy box full of receipts, bills, invoices, certificates, photographs, correspondence, insurance schedules, manuals, handbooks, tracker details, etc, including one of the most comprehensive and impressive collections of tax discs we’ve ever seen.

Its life and use are recorded, documented and annotated in forensic and copious detail.

We’ve rarely seen a more informative, reassuring and full history file.

There’s no such thing as a guaranteed safe bet in the world of classic cars, as we’re sure you know. 

But, that said, an unrestored, original 1977 350 SL with fewer than 50,000 miles on the clock and enough history and provenance to fill a wheelbarrow is probably as close as you can get. 

We don’t expect to see a better one any time soon.

We are happy to offer this fine vehicle for auction with an estimate in the range of £20,000 - £25,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. 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’.