1987 Mercedes-Benz R107 500SL

The Mercedes-Benz R107 SL is now a well and truly established member of the classic car club, but it also remains one of the most usable modern classics money can buy. For the price of a very basic new city car, you could be swanning around in timeless style, and in a car that will only appreciate in value when kept in good order. We're big fans of the 1971 to 1989 R107, which has plenty of classic Merc kudos and Panzer build quality. Find a good one with the original hard top and it's also a good bet for year-round driving.

There are plenty to choose from thanks to the R107 SL's popularity when new and most have never quite dipped into the murky price band of abysmal maintenance and neglect. Even so, it pays dividends to shop around for the best example and one that has been lavished with care and cash. Engine-wise, there's a motor to suit all budgets our advice is to find a solid car with straight bodywork, an automatic gearbox and hard top. The sit back, put on your sunnglasses and enjoy the ride.

We are informed by the vendor that this particular 500 SL was first registered on the 23rd of March 1987 and was supplied new by Mercedes Benz of Woking. Finished in Signal Red with contrasting black leather interior and black hood which also benefits from three new rear Perspex window sections. The Signal red body work has a deep lustre shine thanks to a high quality repaint which was carried out in June of this year at a cost of £2,724 which also included the fitment of a new sill section and lower front wing repair panels and rear valence panel. The all important factory hard top is reported to be in excellent condition and gives all year versatility if required.

You can sense the superior build quality of these cars, everything from the satisfying clunk of the doors as they close to the high quality finish of the interior. This is clothed in a black leather as supple as the day it was fitted, thick black carpets and the matching canvas hood complete the picture, all the electrics a reported to work perfectly. Twist the ignition key and the five litre V8 fires instantly, we are told by the vendor that the engine pulls through the rev range and acceleration is reported to be brisk with 298lbft of torque available to thrust the car effortlessly forward, and the four speed automatic gear change advanced for a time when most had three cogs is reported to be a pleasure to experience.

The history file is extremely comprehensive and includes a high number of invoices, old MOT's and tax discs and sundry documentation. There is an original stamped up service book by main dealers and specialists with 16 stamps in. The most recent being a service at 90,779 miles by a specialist on the 18th of August 2014 and currently MOTd until 17th of August 2015 with no advisories. If the eighties styling ticks your box and you want a classic that combines a stylish driving experience with the ability to deliver you to your destination unflustered then this beautiful SL could well be for you.