1986 Mercedes-Benz 500SL (R107) - 13,000 Miles

It really is hard to believe that the R107 Mercedes SL is now over 50 years old, yet in 1971 this new chapter in the history of the SL sports car began. It was the first SL with a V8 engine, it had a thoroughly modern new design. It was a self-confident motor car - sporty yet luxurious and quick yet comfortable. In many ways it was and remains the perfect convertible. As is the way with all thing Mercedes-Benz, the new SL featured a number of safety-related technical innovations during its development such as defined crumple zones, high-strength steels in the A-pillars, a windscreen frame with bonded glass, padded surfaces and deformable elements in the interior.

From March 1980, ABS was available and from January 1982, a driver’s airbag and belt tensioners. The ultimate engine choice in Europe was to be found with the all-alloy overhead-camshaft V8 500SL of 1980, with 240bhp available (bearing in mind a Porsche 911 offered a ‘mere’ 204bhp at the time). Over time, the interiors became even more luxurious, the car’s weight was reduced with new alloy bonnets and boot lids and the suspension and brakes continued to be developed until it was replaced by the R129 in 1989. The 'R107' SL was a classic almost as soon as it ended its 18 year production run and today they make perfectly usable daily drivers, especially when, as with this example, they come with a factory hardtop.

Finished in Smoke Silver with an Anthracite leather interior and a black mohair soft top, this extremely low-mileage example displays just over 13,000 miles from new. Understood to have been originally ordered for the UK market, the car was actually supplied new to Japan, from whence it returned in 2015. In 2020, it underwent a workshop inspection which included an engine compression test and full service. Our vendor, having acquired the car around three years ago, commenced a recommissioning which included a comprehensive oil and filter service, belts, water pump, gearbox oil and filter, front shaft and pump seals and a complete replacement stainless steel exhaust system.

He also chose to replace the boot lid, preferring the simple lines without the spoiler fitted upon purchase, though the original is available to the next keeper if they wish. A period-style Blaupunkt Stereo has been fitted along with replacement dash and centre console trim as the car had been retro-fitted with a poor AC system that he has sensibly removed. The car’s new build record lists that it was supplied with a number of options including a limited-slip differential and anti-lock braking system. Our vendor confidently states that this is a car in which he could happily trust to jump in and set off on a journey of hundreds of miles tomorrow.

The car is accompanied by its matching hardtop, a number of invoices and old MOTs, various Japanese service records, an original sales brochure and a book on the SL 107 series cars. This is an SL that could easily fit within any Collection or equally be enjoyed on the show field or international touring.