An Immaculate Mercedes-Benz 300SL R107 with Just 12,178 Miles. £87,695

FOR SALE
An immaculate Mercedes-Benz 300SL R107 with just 12,178 miles.

EQUIPMENT
Light-alloy bonnet, easy-closing doors, detachable colour coded hard top, retractable soft top, impact zones, strengthened windscreen pillars, parking lamps, individually adjusted temperature zones, heated door mirrors, oil pressure gauge, fire extinguisher, power assisted steering. Factory fitted options; Leather trim, rear child seats, heated seats, Tempomat cruise control, Becker Grand-Prix Cassette radio, outside temperature gauge, orthopaedic backrests, airbag, anti-theft warning system, headlamp wash/wipe.

EXTERIOR
The instantly recognisable lines of the R107 series, the R prefix to denote a Roadster as opposed to W for Wagon, are graceful yet muscular and this example is surely one of the best there is. Finished in factory optional Diamond Blue Metallic, (Code 355), the paintwork boasts a magnificent finish and show winning shine, commensurate with the incredibly low and fully verified 12,178 miles. Tiny light scratches to the rear deck underneath the hood rim are visible. The Dark Blue hood, (Code 5010), is as new, as are the side and rear hood windows. The original colour coded hard top remains with the car and is in perfect condition. The high-quality chrome has a mirror finish and trim sections and rubbers are virtually as new.

INTERIOR
Subject to a vast array of factory options, this high specification late production 300SL is upholstered in original Mushroom Leather, (Code 275). The seats are beautifully preserved and commensurate with the low mileage, with very light markings to the driver’s seat bolster and slight creasing to one headrest edge. The fascia is perfect and all the gauges, controls and electrics operate exactly as they should, including the factory optional Becker Grand-Prix Cassette radio, the most expensive unit available when new! Available on late model R107’s as a factory option, the central ball ventilation aperture is replaced with an outside temperature gauge and the seat backs feature luggage straps. The boot area has the factory supplied toolkit as well as the original warning triangle in plastic sheath and first aid kit still in the cellophane wrapper! Originality seekers will note the rear light clusters complete with delicate manufacturer stickers still attached.

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
The 300SL model offered the optimum blend of performance and refinement, with a power output quoted in the manufacturer literature of 188bhp and 260Nm of torque, enough to propel this driving machine to a maximum speed of 123mph whilst 0-60 is achieved in 9.6 seconds. The engine bay is spotless and retains all manufacturer stickers, plates and panel stampings. The low mileage credentials are evident in the perfect under-bonnet insulation panel which is usually deteriorated. A specialist stainless steel exhaust system has been fitted at a cost of £1,052.80 in 2003. The four-speed automatic transmission is flawless in operation with positive kickdown and the factory optional Tempomat cruise control is working perfectly.

WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES
The original 15-hole light alloy wheels, as fitted to later models, are unrestored and in excellent order with only light scratches to the outer rim on one wheel. Quality matching brand Michelin Pilot Primacy 205/65 R15 tyres have masses of tread and the unused spare wheel remains shod in the factory Michelin MXV tyre which still displays the coloured banding and still has the wheel changing guide tag attached! Another feature of this late model 300SL is the Anti-lock Braking System fitted as standard.

HISTORY FILE
Built in the final months of production prior to the launch of the R129, a car which needed to fulfil the prestigious legacy of the R107, this 300SL example was first registered on 1st January 1989 by Mercedes Main Dealer, Rose & Young Ltd of Caterham. A new car sales invoice in the history file confirm a price paid of £41,347.97, enough to buy a house in 1988 when the car was first ordered! The Mercedes plastic wallet houses all handbooks, guides and dealership literature as well as both genuine Mercedes roof prongs neatly stored in the pouch holder. The original service and maintenance booklet displays 9 stamped entries with the first seven being Mercedes Main Dealers and the last entry being in March 2018 at 12,172 miles. The history folder consists of a large collection of invoices and MOT certificates throughout the cars lifetime as well as a maintenance log dating back to 1989 and an original sales brochure. A wonderful touch to the history file is a photograph accompanied by a written account by the second owner, Dr John Glees, of him taking delivery of the car in 1992 whereby he describes the car being delivered to him by Puttock’s Mercedes-Benz, and including notes on the test drive, the weather on the day and some optional extras he ordered there and then!

MOT March 2019, HPI clear.