1987 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster (W107)

Description

Current owner 7 years; huge history file to show meticulous upkeep from new; bulkhead recently passed inspection; a pampered example of this sought-after classic in a lovely colour scheme

Looking more handsome with every passing year, the W107 Series Mercedes-Benz SL was built at a time when the Stuttgart firm still had a reputation for building the best engineered cars in the world.

To this day, no car door closes with a more reassuring ‘thunk’ than a Mercedes SL and everything about the car contrives to make even granite feel flimsy. Fast, comfortable and reliable, no wonder it stayed in production fundamentally unaltered from 1971 until 1989 – the longest production run of any Mercedes to date.

The W107 came in a wide range of engine sizes in both straight-six and V8 formats, but pick of the crop was the 3-litre six that appeared in 1985. Employing a new KE Jetronic fuel injection system linked to a modern engine management system, it not only achieved better fuel economy than the 280 it replaced but more power as well. The official figures were 185bhp and 188lb/ft of torque, sufficient to propel the 300 to 60mph in just 9.6 seconds on its way to a top speed of 130mph. Almost as quick as the larger V8 models, it was not only more economical but also handled better thanks to improved weight distribution.

Supplied new by Dick Lovett of Swindon in April 1987 to a Mrs M Edwards of Bath, this late model 300SL benefits from all the improvements that were made to the W107 over its long life. Finished in Light Ivory with Medium Red cloth trim, it has covered 139,350 miles to date and comes with two large files of history to show meticulous upkeep from new.

The service book has 20 stamps up to 128,857 miles in March 2003 when the book runs out of pages – an average service interval of 6,400 miles. There are invoices for at least five more services since then plus many other invoices for work carried out and new parts fitted.

Expenditure of note over the last 12 years/5k miles includes: new prop shaft flex discs in 2023; boot lid and wing tops repainted in 2022; new radiator in 2021; new alternator in 2018; new stainless steel exhaust sections in 2014; new hood, front and rear coil springs, steering damper, ball joints, Zebrano gear knob and bumper rechromed in 2013; steering box rebuilt and new front shocks in 2012.

Shortly before the auction the bulkhead was internally examined by SJB Motor Services of Keynsham and declared to be sound and dry with no evidence of rust (photos on file).

Our vendor, a Mercedes-Benz Club member, has owned this pampered SL since May 2018 and reports that it drives as well as it looks. Kept garaged and used lightly in fine weather only, it has an MOT until February 2025 with just one minor advisory (n/s/f tyre worn). The soft top is in excellent condition (having been renewed in 2013) and a draught excluder and indoor car cover are also included, as is a stand for the hard top, although this will need to be collected from the Bristol area if desired.

As you can see in the photos, this deeply desirable 300SL looks very smart indeed and has been starting instantly and running beautifully as we have driven it around on site.

Consigned by James Dennison – 07970 309907 – james.dennison@brightwells.com