1980 Mercedes-Benz 350SL (R107)

Late model 350 V8  in a delightful period colour scheme, factory hard-top, auto 'box from a private collection with 19 service stamps; ready to be enjoyed

Supplied new by Portman Garages Manchester Ltd in February 1980 this mid-point R107 hails from the end of the 350SL production, which ran from 1971-1980 before being replaced by the 380SL there-after.

Finished in unusual Olive green, the car looks well, sitting well atop its 14” Mexican Hat alloy wheels and wearing its original removable factory hard-top.  Under the bonnet, we find the 3.5-litre V8 engine using Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection which helped it make a healthy 197bhp and 286NM of torque driving the rear wheels via automatic transmission.

On the inside, we find a charming body-matching green colour theme with half vinyl and checker interior, green carpets and green console. This example looks to have been ordered without rear seats, but does boast electric windows, Zebrano wood trim and heated rear window with a more modern retro-fit Pioneer radio/CD player installed.

The car shows just 26,998 miles but upon closer inspection, a speedo change is documented within the service book at 69,222 miles suggesting the car has in fact covered 96,220 miles to date.  The aforementioned service booklet reveals an impressive 17 stamps for maintenance, the last in August 2000 at 5,367 miles (74,589 in total) by The Car Shop, London.

In addition, the history file includes a copy V5C recording six former keepers to our vendor, a private collector (who’s been lucky enough to own this attractive SL since 2012 enjoying several European trips in addition to domestic summer usage), the owner's pack, a selection of bills for parts and maintenance dating back to the early '80s and an invoice showing a £700 spend on a rear bumper in 2015. A note on file from the vendor confirms the car was last serviced at 19,585 miles by Mercright, Birmingham, but since then has been treated to new plugs, HT leads, dizzy cap and rotor plus brake discs and pads all round, again by Mercright.

We also find a an old purchase receipt from 2000 for £11,950 at 71,920 miles, a selection of 28 old MOT
certificates including the last test, which has now expired dated September 2019 at 26,952 miles (but a few miles ago) at which time it recorded just two minor advisories for slight play in the OSF track rod end ball joint and a service brake binding.

The Covid pandemic meant our vendor did not use this or many others from his collection as he had hoped. Crying out for some use, this lovely old SL presents well with only some dull paint in places, as pictured (particularly the OSF wing) and looks a clean car with straight bodywork and smart interior.

We have not removed the hard-top to inspect the hood, however the vendor informs us it was in good order when last used, the hard top being fitted to the car ahead of transit to us for this sale.

Bidders please note - the vendor has undertaken a registration transfer to retain his personal plate '3500DG' (pictured), and also change the MOT status to exempt with DVLA. The new V5C will be sent to us as soon as this is complete, the reg retained and the car returned to its original age related plate.

For more information contact - will.daniels@brightwells.com

Reg No: LDB37V
Chassis Number: 10704322014825
Engine Number: 11698422004469
Engine Size: 3499
Docs: V5C; owner's pack & service book with 19 stamps; bills back to the 80s; photos; 28 old MOTs; no current MOT, exempt, last expired Sept-20 with 2 advisories

Sale Section & Buyers Premium (ex VAT): Car 12%, Minimum £150

Estimate: £13,000-15,000