1989 Mercedes-Benz 420 SL (R107) - 1,505 Miles from new

• Registered on 05/02/1990 to its only registered keeper, a Mr Marr of Weatherby
• Supplied by Lancaster Mercedes. One of the last production R107s in the UK at a cost of ú38,904.20
• In Signal Red with cream leather and optioned with cruise control and rear seats
• The odometer reading has just clicked over to 1,505 miles and still wears its original tyres
• Supplied with its original blue logbook, service book and recent maintenance receipts
• Beautifully presented with its original hardtop, spare wheel, first aid and tool kits
• An incredibly rare opportunity to purchase a remarkable time warp example of the R107

Refined drivers from Dallas to Darlington who wanted a brisk reliable convertible adored the Mercedes-Benz R107 SL range. Accustomed to the histrionics of the Italian offerings and the lack of a proper convertible by Porsche, customers flocked to the well-equipped SL range, with engine variants and trim levels to suit all tastes. A major facelift in 1985 enhanced the SL's looks and more importantly, the drive train and brakes, among other components were brought up to current S-Class standard of the era. The factory hardtop was perfect for the vagaries of British weather, ensuring, perhaps inevitably, that UK-supplied R107s in rust free condition are now incredibly rare. The R107 is a well and truly established member of the classic car club, but it also remains one of the most usable modern classics offering a comfortable driving experience and modest maintenance bills. Production ran from 1971 to 1989 and the range-topping, V8-engined 420 SL and 500 SL were produced in far fewer numbers for the UK-market, with the 420 SL being the lowest production model of any R107 with just 2,148 examples worldwide.

With the launch of the new R129 SL range by Mercedes-Benz in 1989, buyers naturally held out for the newer model and many changed their orders to the new SL. This very special 420 SL, produced in 1989 as one of just 126 examples worldwide, but registered in 1990, was a cancelled order we assume. According to the service book it was intended for delivery to a Mr Watts of Hornchurch in July 1989, who presumably cancelled his order in favour of the new R129 model. It was bought new instead by a Mr Marr of Wetherby, who became the car's first and only registered keeper on the 5th February 1990, as confirmed by the original period logbook. The late registration of the car on the 5th February 1990 makes this one of the very last G-registered R107 SLs in the UK, and one of a handful of 420 SLs in right-hand drive.

Supplied new by Lancaster Europa Mercedes-Benz of Sheffield, the car was specified in Signal Red (DB568) with Cream leather (275), a combination now regarded as one of the most desirable for an R107 SL. Naturally, the hardtop was also supplied in Signal Red and the soft-top in black. Adding to the usual refinements were the options of Cruise Control at ú298.47 and rear seats at a cost of ú655.73 bringing the total bill to ú38,904.20. The car was hardly used in the following eleven years at which point it was serviced by the main dealer, Craigside Mercedes-Benz of Harrogate, at 1,414 miles on the 8th August 2001. Further maintenance and servicing works were carried out by leading specialists in low mileage cars, Cummings of Bodmin, the receipts are on file, all of which are dated and state odometer readings. The last invoice is dated the 28th June 2018 and lists the mileage at 1,489 miles when the car was fitted with a new fuel pump, filters and other sundry items. The current odometer reading is 1,505 miles at the time of cataloguing, which shows that the car was exercised occasionally.

Presented to auction in a condition that one would expect of such a low mileage car, we strongly recommend not only viewing with the possibility of purchase but also to see one of the best examples of an R107 as an educational exercise. To complement the beautiful original paintwork and timewarp interior, the underside and engine compartment are equally fascinating to study. The seam sealer and underseal are factory original as are the engine decals. Incredibly the original tyres are still on the car, an important addition for those wishing to show the car on a Concours lawn.

The hardtop is in first-class condition as is the soft-top beneath and the spare wheel, tool kit and plastic sealed First Aid kit are all present. The wallet includes the Owner's Manual, sales brochures and the aforementioned service book whilst the history file includes the period blue logbook and a number of receipts for maintenance in recent years, copies of which can be emailed to interested parties. The original set of dealer supplied 'Scorpion' alarm fobs and deactivation keys are also present.

This car is one of the finest examples of the R107 we have ever seen and offers an unrepeatable opportunity for those looking for a low production SL in the best colour combination, with one registered keeper and just 1,505 miles from new.