Description

1985 Mercedes-Benz 380SL (R107)

Current lady owner since 1999; in storage for much of the last 8 years; requires some minor cosmetics but a lovely car showing just 76,900 miles with supporting history and just 1,000 miles covered in the last 20 years

Supplied new by T.H Bennett Motors Ltd of Blackpool in May 1985 this later model R107 series SL features the popular yet now rare 3.8 litre V8 engine producing 215bhp driving the rear wheels through 4-speed automatic transmission.  As an '85 model, the last year for the 380 engine, it featured much improved fuel efficiency thanks to improved rear axle ratios and 4-speed rather than 3-speed transmission of its forebears.

Finished in light gold with matching tan MB-Tex interior with walnut trim this model features optional rear seats, electric windows, heated front seats, electric passenger mirror, heated rear screen for the hard top and matching brown hood in good order with clear rear and side screens.  The factory hard top was fitted for transit to us, the soft-top visible when we saw the car  - we can confirm its in good order.

In the caring hands of our long term lady owner, the car is a reluctant sale due to reduced mobility - the car having seen no road use in the last 3 years and very little use in the last 8 years with much of that time in storage at the vendor's home in a dry garage under cover.

The car presents well, with but a few small, localised areas requiring cosmetic attention, with corrosion evident below the off-side rear light and a few bubbles on the bonnet corner and other areas as pictured.  The floors and cross members looked and felt sound from our brief checks and the interior a nice place to be with little sign of age or use.  Starting promptly and running nicely as we moved it around for these shots, the car would no doubt benefit from a thorough service, check over and MOT before being used on the road again given the last MOT expired in November 2018 with only 17 miles covered since. 

Showing just 76,903 miles this R107 could readily be described as lower mileage, with many showing double that and still in regular use so well engineered were they.  The history file backs up the mileage and includes an old style V5, current V5C showing 3 previous owners to the current who has owned it since March 1999. We also find the service booklet with 19 stamps all by Mercedes main dealers and Mercedes specialists, the last stamped service in April 2001 at 75,991 miles - suggesting only c.1,000 miles covered in the last 20 years.  This is backed up by the MOT records online and on file. In addition, there are a further 4 stamps for renewal of the brake fluid, last stamped in August 2000 and one further for renewal of the coolant in 1997 with a note suggesting a new radiator was fitted in 1999.

Further documentation on file includes old SORN notices, old MOTs dating back to 1998 at 54,445 miles and a selection of invoices including £1,312 spent in February 2008 on repair of the engine following the timing chain plastic guides breaking including replacement cylinder head gasket and timing chain, sliding rails, exhaust valves, oil and new battery by an engineering workshop in Tewkesbury, a £673 spend on new NS front wing, painting of that and the bonnet plus new head lamp glass (undated, but during the ownership of the previous owner 1991 - 1999) and a speedo repair in November 2008 by Speedycables costing £273.

A nice, honest R107 with lower mileage and good supporting history that's crying out for some regular use and a thorough service. 

For more information contact - [email protected]