4 Star Classics

An immaculate low mileage 500SL

MODEL HISTORY

The R107 was produced from 1972 in two variants the SL and SLC. The SL being a 2 seater convertible roadster with a soft top/removable hard top and the SLC being a 2 door coupe.

Being one of the second longest chassis series that Mercedes have produced there are plenty of engine choices and variants to choose, from the early 2.8 and 3.0 litre straight six engines, to the huge 5.6 litre V8's of the late 1980's. The 500SL had a 4973cc V8 engine that produced 240 bhp and 296 lbft.

The real benefit for the model was the comprehensive updates that were carried out and fitted to post 1985 cars to bring them up to the then current modern standards. These included a KE Jetronic system which gave the cars a more sophisticated modern engine management system. This helped to control the idle and air/fuel rate more efficiently. Reworked suspension and anti roll bars resulted in a more controlled ride, large 4 pot front brake calipers increased the cars braking ability, a limited differential was added and quite a few front end parts were borrowed from the newly introduced W124 series. The front and rear bumpers were updated along with a hefty amount of body sheet metal changes then finished with the new door handles from the W126 series and a set of light alloy wheels similar to the W201 chassis.

The 500SL was not available to the US market but it was a popular import until the arrival of the 560SL which was specifically made for the USA and Japan, between 1986-1989. Despite the 560SL having a larger engine the 500SL is recorded by Mercedes as the fastest 107 model they built, mostly due to the lack of emission restraints on the car.

After 18 years of production of the R107 the final car a 500SL was built on August 4th, 1989 and finished in Astral Silver. It currently resides in the Mercedes-Benz museum in Stuttgart, Germany.

Equipment

Electric windows, Outside temperature indicator, Limited-slip differential, Orthopaedic front seat backrest, Cruise control, Under-shields, Paint-coat preservation, Rear seats, Hard top with heated rear window, Tinted strip on windscreen, Headlight wiper unit

EXTERIOR

If you have been looking for one of the finest examples of the 500SL then this could well be the one, this Signal Red Merc is simply stunning! The paint finish is absolutely flawless and has a beautiful deep shine with no imperfections, marks or evidence of poor repair. All of the plastic trim, rubber seals, bumper strips and spoiler look brand new and still feel smooth and supple.  The chrome again looks like new and after 2 days in our detailing bay we only managed to find one tiny pit mark on the top of one of the rear lights that can only be seen with the boot open.  All the light lenses are perfectly clear without a single chip or any sign of discolouration

The underside of the car is totally rust free, not even the smallest amount of surface rust on any of the mechanical components and the wheel arches are also perfectly clean. We very much doubt this car has ever been left outside or driven in the rain.

INTERIOR

The leather seats are unmarked and the leather remains as soft and supple as the day it left the factory. Usually on these cars the leather on the steering wheel has gone smooth but this is not the case here and you can still feel the the imprinted texture. All of the wood, trim and dash fascia is unmarked and the car has a brand new set of OEM Mercedes mats that are protecting the carpets.

Everything works as it should and feels incredibly well put together, as only a Mercedes from this era can (before the accountants took over) and the original Becker tape player is still in fine working order. 

The hardtop is in matching Signal Red and the soft top is black to match the interior and has no visible signs of wear and a perfectly clear rear screen.

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION

Despite only covering 35k miles this 500SL has always been in regular light use and always maintained to the highest levels. The engine bay is an amazing sight as it looks like the car has never been used.

The engine is super smooth and can hardly be heard running, the gearbox is completely seamless and never interrupts a relaxing cruise.

WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES

Every wheel is unmarked and they are all shod in a matching new set of Michelin tyres. The calipers also appear like new with no corrosion and shiny brass clips. The brakes give the driver plenty of confidence and pull the car up quickly in a refined manner.

HISTORY FILE

This Mercedes was first registered in February 1990 and had its important running in service later that year with the supplying dealer. The car stayed with the first owner for 2 years before being passed to a Miss Susan Solis who then kept the car for a further 15 year, throughout her ownership she continued to keep up the Mercedes Service history. The car then passed through the hands of a dealer and then a Doctor before the current owner purchased the car in 2009.

Despite the low mileage there are 18 service stamps in the book consistently spread out over the last 21 years, 16 of these (including the last) are Mercedes main dealers and 2 are well known Mercedes Specialists. There is a box file with the history that contains almost all of the old service receipts, every MOT certificate and some old tax disks.

The car also comes with its original document holder containing all the owners manuals and its spare key.