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Silverstone Auctions RAF Museum London Season Opener 2022
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SL (R107)

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1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SL (R107)

Lot Number: 612

1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SL (R107)

One of the finest examples of this rare model to be found in Europe, with extensive bills for recent works.

Sold for: £38,250

LIVE AUCTION: This lot was auctioned on Sunday 6th March, 2022 at 2.00pm GMT at RAF Museum London

BODY COLOUR
Smoke Silver
DRIVE
Only_LHD
REG NUMBER
E233 KHK
ODOMETER READING
42500 Miles

SUMMARY

One of the finest examples of this rare model to be found in Europe, with extensive bills for recent works.

DESCRIPTION

Manufactured in 1988 and shipped to the US, the car was registered in the UK on the 9th July 2012
Finished in Smoke Silver with matching hardtop and beige leather interior under a contrasting brown soft-top
Options from new include Outside Temp Gauge, Rear Spoiler Delete, Airbag, Becker Mexico Radio, Paintwork Preservation, Automatic Antenna
A 2021 bill for £18,0000 covers the Euro Spec cosmetic conversion, paintwork, suspension works and four new tyres
The odometer reading of some 42,500 miles (atoc) is corroborated by the car’s CarFax report and UK issued MOTs since 2012
Offered to auction with handbooks and an MOT until October 2022. Perfect for continental touring.

Produced during the final years of the globally successful R107 range, the Mercedes-Benz 560SL was the largest displacement offered, with a 5.6-litre V8 engine produced to combat the restrictive emissions regulations primarily in California. It might seem counter productive to us today but, back in the late 1980s, it was only by increasing displacement to 5.6-litres that the USA specification cars could be given comparable performance to the European 500SL and still comply with the necessary emissions rules. As is often the case with motorcars, it is this range-topping ‘560SL’ badge that buyers so desire, particularly as the largest displacement SL was never offered in Europe – it was only available in the USA, Japan and Australia.

It's recorded as having been manufactured in 1988 and shipped to California in the factory colours of Smoke Silver, matching hard top and brown soft top with beige leather interior. Options from new included an Outside Temp Gauge, Rear Spoiler Delete, Airbag, Becker Mexico Radio, Paintwork Preservation, Automatic Antenna, Folding Arm Rest and Illuminated Vanity Mirrors. The accompanying CarFax reports incremental increases in mileage from 1991 until it left California in 2012. The car was registered in the UK on the 9th July 2012 and used for holidays in Marbella, where it remained most of the time, returning to the UK for an MOT most years. The current odometer reading was some 42,500 miles at the time of cataloguing.

US Federal crash-testing regulations of the period required the fitting of larger bumpers which ruined the R107’s sleek good looks, however, a 'Euro Spec' facelift in 2021 saw the ugly bumpers removed, and a repaint in factory colours with suspension works for a total bill of £18,140. The alloy wheels were refurbished and four correct Michelin tyres fitted, coming to £1,211 and included in the works receipt dated 15th September 2021. As a consequence of this cosmetic update this car is extremely rare in Europe.

The Mercedes is presented to auction with handbooks, the CarFax report, UK MOT history and aforementioned £18,000 invoice. We can think of no other left-hand drive R107 for sale in today’s market that combines the rare 5.6-litre V8 engine with the classic good looks of a European-supplied car and this long-legged SL would be perfect for Continental touring.

SPECIFICATION

Lot Number: 612
Make: MERCEDES
Model: R107 SL
Registration Number: E233 KHK
MOT Expiry: 12/10/2022
Chassis Number: WDBBA48DXJA085461
Engine Number: 11796712035465
Transmission: Automatic
Body Colour: Smoke Silver

GALLERY

CONSIGNOR

Arwel Richards
Car Specialist
07434 960868
arwel@iconicauctioneers.com

For further information regarding this lot please contact Arwel.

CONTACT

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SEE IT IN ACTION

Vehicles can be collected from the RAF Museum on Monday 7^th March between 9am and 2pm.

Our transport partners, EM Rogers, can assist with collection and delivery. Please contact them on 01604 755511 or trafficdesk@emrogers.co.uk for a quote.

Any vehicles not collected by 2pm on Monday 7^th March will be taken to EM Rogers storage facility in Northampton for a fee of £175 plus VAT. Storage will be charged at £10 plus VAT per day from Monday 7^th onwards.

Automobilia can be collected from The RAF Museum over the weekend or Monday morning between 9am and midday by prior appointment. After this time it can be collected from our offices in Warwickshire or shipped to you at your expense.

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An agreement in principle could see you arrange a finance package so the funds are ready to be paid out when you’ve bought your dream auction purchase. Please speak to their experts for a quote on 01423 590242 or visit apollocapitalgroup.co.uk/iconicauctioneers/.

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