1985 Mercedes 280SL Auto *Sold £12,600*

Description

• Hard top with stand
• Good condition
• Receipts for recent work carried out
• Automatic
• Bulkhead rectified by previous owner

Super-car looks combined with old-school Mercedes engineering make the Mercedes SL one of the most attractive and practical classic roadsters you will ever own. These were built when the German company was run by engineers, not suits counting beans.

History

The R107-series SL was unveiled in 1971, delivering stylish interiors, bigger engines and sharper contemporary bodywork. It remained in production for an astonishing 18 years. The R107 needed to follow the renowned W113 ‘Pagoda’ model. The new SL had to be better in every way. It was.

The R107 SL generation was engineered to an impressively high standard by Mercedes. The renowned German build quality quickly becomes apparent from the moment you close the door with a satisfying clunk. The R107 SL is still a fashionable and popular roadster. Values have remained strong. Find a good example and you should have a surefire investment in the long term.

• First registered 1 June 1985
• Our vendor has owned it since 2018
• He acquired the SL from an ex-pat in France
• During his ownership it has been maintained, at some expense by Edward Hall Mercedes
• Invoices are in the Gallery

Outside

• Signal Red
• Our vendor advises us the paintwork was refreshed before he owned it
• Aside from blemishes around one headlamp and the petrol filler cap, it looks to be in good overall condition
• The external brightwork and trim is in good order.
• Rare and very helpful removable hard top
• The black hood has been replaced
• The rear screen and quarter lights are clear and transparent
• Factory Mercedes Benz alloys
• Full size spare

The after-market wind deflector makes no end of difference to the buffeting experienced when driving with the top down.

Inside

The elephant in the room with any R107 Mercedes SL is the sometimes-porous bulkhead. Our vendor tells us this one was corrected by the previous owner; he believes that was undertaken by the SL Shop although he has no paperwork to confirm. He assures us however that the bulkhead is solid.

• Fitted with optional rear seating
• The driver’s seat base cover has worn through
• The wood veneer is in good condition
• The carpeting and over-mats are clean and tidy
• Original four spoke steering wheel
• Headlamp wash wipe
• Door cards and fittings are good
• The gauges and instruments all look clear

Climb in and you sit higher than you think on a comfy, padded driver’s seat, giving good visibility across the long bonnet. You feel cosseted and safe, but there is a surprising amount of space, especially leg room.

The rarely fitted rear seats provide convenient storage space too. There is a very good feeling being inside the SL. It turns heads, but it doesn’t feel ostentatious, it feels just right.

Mechanicals

• Over-engineered is the term. These Mercedes were built to last, and they do.
• Mercedes M 110 engine
• Six-cylinder DOHC 2746cc
• 185bhp
• Top speed 125mph
• Bosch fuel injection
• Power steering
• Independent front and rear, double wishbones
• Vented front disc brakes
• Solid rear discs
• Optional alloy wheels

The front engine, rear wheel drive configuration is the perfect set-up. The pub bore will tell you the V8 is the one to have. As always, they are wrong. The V8s are thirsty and make the front ‘nose heavy’. The 280 model is good for 100mph plus and 0-60 in under 10 seconds. But ignore that. You want to swan about casually in an SL and take things easy, not tear about hither and thither. Leave that stress to others.

Summary

From Dallas and Dynasty through to Hart to Hart, these classics were the height of fashion. And they still are.

The SLs were built to an engineering specification, not a number on a spreadsheet. That is one of the many reasons for their enduring popularity. Not surprisingly, prices have remained strong. We only see them getting stronger as the rough ones die off and the good ones shine. Good luck.

Vehicle Location: Ickford, Buckinghamshire HP18 – it’s the responsibility of the winning bidder to make collection / transportation arrangements directly with the vendors.

Would like to arrange a viewing or have a question about this Mercedes 280 SL? Please contact us at team@evoke-classics.com and we will speak to the vendor on your behalf.

Guide Prices?

We’re different. But you know that. And we’re always honest. In a sector where no two classics are same, how does anyone put a ‘guide’.

Well, everyone knows the broad value of classic, let’s all be honest. So, we don’t need to tell you what you already know, do we.

The ‘market’ decides and the old cliché that ‘it’s worth what someone wants to pay’ is no less true. So why kid everyone!

But, because we are different, if it really does matter to you, that’s fine, we want you to be happy. Just drop us a line at team@evoke-classics.com and one of us will be delighted to get back to you, it’s what we do.

Tedious but it’s vital you read this, please.

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