Skip to content
  • We Are SLSHOP
  • The world’s leading classic Mercedes destination. Welcome to SLSHOP.
tel +44 (0) 1789 337 070
SLSHOP
  • HOME
  • Buy or Sell a Mercedes
    • Mercedes For Sale
      • Showroom Stock
      • Appraised Cars
      • Classified Cars
      • Mercedes W113 For Sale
      • Mercedes R107 For Sale
      • Mercedes R129 For Sale
      • Coming Soon
      • New Builds
      • Consultancy
      • Previously Sold
    • Sell Your Mercedes
      • Let us help you sell your car
      • Showroom Consignment
      • Appraised Sale
      • Classified Sale
      • My Adverts
    • Buying Guides
      • W190 SL
      • W113 SL
      • R107 SL
      • R129 SL
      • R230 SL
      • The SL Market

      • Buying

      • SLSHOP Warranty

      • We are SLSHOP

  • Workshops
    • W113
      • W113
      • R107
      • R129
      • Heritage
      • Specialist
      • Modern Classic
      • AMG
    • Healthcheck
      • Complete Health Check
      • New Owner Check
      • Engine Check
      • Brake Check
      • Under Body Check
      • Pre Season Check
    • Servicing
      • Routine Servicing
      • Improve the way my Pagoda runs
      • Improve the way my Pagoda changes gear
      • Diagnose an issue
      • Rally & Competition Preparation
      • CARE Servicing plans
      • My account
      • SLSHOP MOT
      • UK Registration service
    • Restoration / Fabrication
      • Factory Correct Restoration
      • Welding repairs
      • Manual Gearbox Conversion
      • W113 Gearbox Rebuilds
      • Engine rebuilds
      • Soft Top replacement
      • Pagoda Interior / Trimming
      • W113 Repaint
    • Additional Services
      • Detailing
      • Hardtop Storage
      • Vehicle Storage
      • Valuation Certificate
      • Rust Protection
    • Help & Advice
      • Show me an SLSHOP restored Pagoda
    • R107
      • W113
      • R107
      • R129
      • Heritage
      • Specialist
      • Modern Classic
      • AMG
    • Healthcheck
      • Complete Health Check
      • New Owner Check
      • Engine Check
      • Brake Check
      • Under Body Check
      • Pre Season Check
    • Servicing
      • Routine Servicing
      • Improve the way my 107 drives
      • Diagnose an issue
      • Rally & Competition Preparation
      • Fast Road Upgrades
      • Improve the way my 107 Handles
      • USA to EURO Conversion
      • CARE Servicing plans
      • My account
      • SLSHOP MOT
      • UK Registration service
    • Restoration / Fabrication
      • Factory Correct Restoration
      • Bulkhead Repair
      • Manual Gearbox conversions
      • Engine Rebuilds
      • SportLine
      • Soft Top Replace
      • Interior trim for 107 SL’s
      • Gearbox Rebuilds
      • R107 Repainting
    • Additional Services
      • Detailing
      • Hardtop Storage
      • Vehicle Storage
      • Transportation Support
      • Valuation Certificate
      • Rust Protection
      • Engine Cleaning
    • Help & Advice
      • I’ve just acquired a R107 SL
    • R129
      • W113
      • R107
      • R129
      • Heritage
      • Specialist
      • Modern Classic
      • AMG
    • Healthcheck
      • Complete Health Check
      • New Owner Check
      • Engine Check
      • Brake Check
      • Under Body Check
      • Pre Season Check
    • Servicing
      • Routine Servicing
      • Improve the way my 129 drives
      • Diagnose an issue
      • R129 Hard/Soft Top Check
      • CARE Servicing plans
      • UK Registration service
      • My account
      • R129 SL MOT
    • Restoration & Upgrades
      • Preventative Rust Programmes
      • Cosmetic Upgrades
      • Parking Sensors
      • Audio & Sat Nav
      • Pimp My R129
      • Fit me a new soft top
      • R129 Repainting
    • Additional Services
      • Detailing
      • Hardtop Storage
      • Vehicle Storage
      • Transportation Support
      • Valuation Certificate
      • Rust Protection
    • Help & Advice
      • I’ve just acquired an R129
    • Heritage
      • W113
      • R107
      • R129
      • Heritage
      • Specialist
      • Modern Classic
      • AMG
    • Healthcheck
      • Complete Health Check
      • New Owner Check
      • Brake Check
      • Engine Check
      • Under Body Check
      • Pre Season Check
    • Servicing
      • Routine Servicing
      • Improve the way my classic Mercedes Drives
      • Diagnose an issue
      • Rally & Competition Preparation
      • CARE Servicing plans
      • My account
      • SLSHOP MOT
    • Restoration / Fabrication
      • Factory Correct Restoration
      • Welding Repairs
      • Manual Gearbox conversions
      • Interior Trimming
    • Additional Services
      • Detailing
      • Hardtop Storage
      • Vehicle Storage
      • Transportation Support
      • Valuation Certificate
      • Rust Protection
    • Help & Advice
      • I’ve just acquired a classic Mercedes
    • Specialist
      • W113
      • R107
      • R129
      • Heritage
      • Specialist
      • Modern Classic
      • AMG
    • Healthcheck
      • Complete Health Check
      • New Owner Check
      • Engine Check
      • Brake Check
      • Under Body Check
      • Pre Season Check
    • Servicing
      • Routine Servicing
      • Improve the way my classic Mercedes Drives
      • Diagnose an issue
      • Rally & Competition Preparation
      • CARE Servicing plans
      • My account
      • SLSHOP MOT
    • Restoration / Fabrication
      • Factory Correct Restoration
      • Welding Repairs
      • Manual Gearbox conversions
      • Interior Trimming
    • Additional Services
      • Detailing
      • Hardtop Storage
      • Vehicle Storage
      • Transportation Support
      • Valuation Certificate
      • Rust Protection
    • Help & Advice
      • I’ve just acquired a classic Mercedes
    • Modern Classic
      • W113
      • R107
      • R129
      • Heritage
      • Specialist
      • Modern Classic
      • AMG
    • Healthcheck
      • Complete Health Check
      • New Owner Check
      • Engine Check
      • Brake Check
      • Under Body Check
      • Pre Season Check
    • Servicing
      • Routine Servicing
      • Improve the way my modern classic drives
      • Diagnose an issue
      • Rally & Competition Preparation
      • CARE Servicing plans
      • My account
      • SLSHOP MOT
    • Restoration / Fabrication
      • Factory Correct Restoration
      • Interior Trimming
    • Additional Services
      • Detailing
      • Hardtop Storage
      • Vehicle Storage
      • Transportation Support
      • Valuation Certificate
      • Rust Protection
    • Help & Advice
      • I’ve just acquired a modern classic Mercedes
    • AMG
      • W113
      • R107
      • R129
      • Heritage
      • Specialist
      • Modern Classic
      • AMG
    • Healthcheck
      • Complete Health Check
      • New Owner Check
      • Engine Check
      • Brake Check
      • Under Body Check
      • Pre Season Check
    • Servicing
      • Routine Servicing
      • Improve the way my AMG drives
      • Diagnose an issue
      • Rally & Competition Preparation
      • CARE Servicing plans
      • SLSHOP MOT
      • My account
    • Restoration / Fabrication
      • Factory Correct Restoration
    • Additional Services
      • Detailing
      • Hardtop Storage
      • Vehicle Storage
      • Transportation Support
      • Valuation Certificate
      • Rust Protection
    • Help & Advice
      • I’ve just acquired an AMG Mercedes
  • Events
    • Pagoda Evening & Cotswolds Tour
    • Pagoda Meet & Pilgrimage
    • Autumn Pagoda Open Day
    • Open Days
    • Track Days
    • Rally Experience
  • Parts Store
    • W121 Parts
    • W113 Pagoda Parts
    • R107 Parts
    • R129 Parts
    • R230 Parts
  • JOURNAL
  • We Are SLSHOP
  • SLSHOP Membership

Bruce’s Cars – W124 220 Coupe

  • Understanding
  • Enjoying
  • Improving Advice
  • SLSHOP TV
  • The Market
  • Proud Owners
  • In the Press
  • 190 SL
  • W113 SL
  • R107 SL
  • R129 SL
  • R230 SL
  • All Other

Bruce’s 124 Concours Story

When our Managing Director Bruce Greetham talks about some of the cars he has taken to concours events, few raise quite the same level of excitement as the 124.

Buying a Mercedes 124 had been an aim for some time, and when he did finally get it, the car had an important role to play. It was the main family car, and rather than just being used on tours and holidays, it was a daily driver.

However, as time passed, Bruce was able to purchase a different car to use for family purposes and the 124 was set to go in a different direction – it was quite a journey. It was career-shaping.

After taking some time to think what he would do with the 124, it was decided he would take it to concours standards.

“Concours was always in my mind and something I have enjoyed from an early age.” Admits Bruce.

“I always wanted to have some sort of rewards for my efforts with the 124. You ask yourself how far you want to take it? So that year, I took it to Street Class.”

In the Mercedes-Benz club, Street Class is the entry level for concours events. Bruce’s 124 wasn’t to have a fairy tale introduction and only managed to finish third in its first year at Street Class. He returned the year later and finished second, but it was third time lucky the following year again when the car finally won the Street Class category.

But what next?

“Well the next category was concours elegance.” explains Bruce.

“That’s a big step-up and the stage at which you need to start taking things off the car and either replacing them or refurbishing them. So, refurbishment was a big part of the project.

“The paintwork was done, the pipework was changed, the underbody was cleaned and the wheels came off. It’s a thorough job. I managed to retain most of originality of car. It had done more than 100,000 miles so had seen a fair bit of activity over the years!”

In each of the first two years at elegance level, the car would finish second. Bruce knew that to really push the car on to win in this category, it would need some more work.

He said: “I needed to up my game. I knew what I had to do.

“I took the rear axle out of the car, all of the floor panels were polished, brake pipes were changed, and various bits and pieces were refurbished or replaced.”

All of these works were done out-of-hours around a full-time job as a commercial truck mechanic. Weekends and evenings were spent in the small, cramped garage at home preparing the car to the highest possible level.

“I was determined to see it through and I did enjoy it.”

Finally, the hard work and significant investment of both time and money paid off. Bruce took the car to the Haynes Motor Museum where the fourth attempt at winning the elegance category would finally result in success.

The success continues

After finally getting the car to the level required to win the elegance category, it was rewarding for it to then feature in a couple of Mercedes-Benz Club magazine articles. The club itself also recognised Bruce for his commitment to getting the car to that standard.

He was soon invited to judge at some Mercedes-Benz club events himself, with his eye for detail in the cars an invaluable skill for those in such a position.

However, he wasn’t yet finished with his 124. After success at the concours elegance category, he was entitled to enter the Master Class event. It’s another step-up which would see the car competing with the best of the best in cars of that type. You can only enter the event upon winning the elegance category, so the standard was always going to be incredibly high.

“The next one was the big one” acknowledged Bruce.

“I became master champion in that car. So, that year I had completed everything that I had wanted to do with that car.

“Financially, I put quite a lot of money in to the car. It does take money – a lot of money. But, it doesn’t outweigh what you get when you win. It’s a tremendous feeling.”

The Master Class event also saw another tip of the hat toward Bruce and the work he did with classic Mercedes cars. Mercedes-Benz invited him to take part in another capacity.

He explains:  “The event was in Milton Keynes and all took place on a hard standing. It’s not quite as elaborate or grand as a stately home, but that was where the Mercedes HQ was at the time.

“They had just launched new e-class coupe and I was asked to bring along my 220 coupe and put it alongside launch of new model outside the HQ. I happily accepted! It was a brilliant event with both that and the victory in the Master Class with the 124.”

The 124’s legacy

Following the success of the Mercedes 124 in the Master Class event, Bruce felt it was time to do something different. That something different ended up being SLSHOP, a fine legacy indeed.  

Bruce explains: “I had done a couple of magazine publications through Mercedes club and I had done a few write-ups of events as well, so I was quite used to the media side of what the cars were about.

“However, things took off when I went to the classic car show in Malvern near where I live and met Sam Bailey. At the time, Sam had just managed to get the SLSHOP on the world map. He was there with his family at the time.

“I could see that an SL had pulled up into the car park – an R107. I put my business card on the windscreen of the R107. The phone rang shortly after, and the rest is history!

“Basically, we got together, did a BBQ at the Stockwood site and talked. I looked at the workshops and could see the potential. We looked at each other and thought “I could do with a bit of this”.

“That’s how SLSHOP started from that point onwards. It became a fully-blown business. I came on board as a mechanic running the workshops, and that’s what got us going. It’s been continual growth ever since.”

As for the 124 itself, that was sold on to a gentleman in Humberside who still owns it to this day. He remains in regular contact with Bruce to update him on where the car is up to and also asks for his help when required.

“You never know, it may return to me one day” adds Bruce.

Read more about Bruce Greetham’s car history here.

Share With Your Fellow Enthusiasts

Bruce’s 124 Concours Story

When our Managing Director Bruce Greetham talks about some of the cars he has taken to concours events, few raise quite the same level of excitement as the 124.

Buying a Mercedes 124 had been an aim for some time, and when he did finally get it, the car had an important role to play. It was the main family car, and rather than just being used on tours and holidays, it was a daily driver.

However, as time passed, Bruce was able to purchase a different car to use for family purposes and the 124 was set to go in a different direction – it was quite a journey. It was career-shaping.

After taking some time to think what he would do with the 124, it was decided he would take it to concours standards.

“Concours was always in my mind and something I have enjoyed from an early age.” Admits Bruce.

“I always wanted to have some sort of rewards for my efforts with the 124. You ask yourself how far you want to take it? So that year, I took it to Street Class.”

In the Mercedes-Benz club, Street Class is the entry level for concours events. Bruce’s 124 wasn’t to have a fairy tale introduction and only managed to finish third in its first year at Street Class. He returned the year later and finished second, but it was third time lucky the following year again when the car finally won the Street Class category.

But what next?

“Well the next category was concours elegance.” explains Bruce.

“That’s a big step-up and the stage at which you need to start taking things off the car and either replacing them or refurbishing them. So, refurbishment was a big part of the project.

“The paintwork was done, the pipework was changed, the underbody was cleaned and the wheels came off. It’s a thorough job. I managed to retain most of originality of car. It had done more than 100,000 miles so had seen a fair bit of activity over the years!”

In each of the first two years at elegance level, the car would finish second. Bruce knew that to really push the car on to win in this category, it would need some more work.

He said: “I needed to up my game. I knew what I had to do.

“I took the rear axle out of the car, all of the floor panels were polished, brake pipes were changed, and various bits and pieces were refurbished or replaced.”

All of these works were done out-of-hours around a full-time job as a commercial truck mechanic. Weekends and evenings were spent in the small, cramped garage at home preparing the car to the highest possible level.

“I was determined to see it through and I did enjoy it.”

Finally, the hard work and significant investment of both time and money paid off. Bruce took the car to the Haynes Motor Museum where the fourth attempt at winning the elegance category would finally result in success.

The success continues

After finally getting the car to the level required to win the elegance category, it was rewarding for it to then feature in a couple of Mercedes-Benz Club magazine articles. The club itself also recognised Bruce for his commitment to getting the car to that standard.

He was soon invited to judge at some Mercedes-Benz club events himself, with his eye for detail in the cars an invaluable skill for those in such a position.

However, he wasn’t yet finished with his 124. After success at the concours elegance category, he was entitled to enter the Master Class event. It’s another step-up which would see the car competing with the best of the best in cars of that type. You can only enter the event upon winning the elegance category, so the standard was always going to be incredibly high.

“The next one was the big one” acknowledged Bruce.

“I became master champion in that car. So, that year I had completed everything that I had wanted to do with that car.

“Financially, I put quite a lot of money in to the car. It does take money – a lot of money. But, it doesn’t outweigh what you get when you win. It’s a tremendous feeling.”

The Master Class event also saw another tip of the hat toward Bruce and the work he did with classic Mercedes cars. Mercedes-Benz invited him to take part in another capacity.

He explains:  “The event was in Milton Keynes and all took place on a hard standing. It’s not quite as elaborate or grand as a stately home, but that was where the Mercedes HQ was at the time.

“They had just launched new e-class coupe and I was asked to bring along my 220 coupe and put it alongside launch of new model outside the HQ. I happily accepted! It was a brilliant event with both that and the victory in the Master Class with the 124.”

The 124’s legacy

Following the success of the Mercedes 124 in the Master Class event, Bruce felt it was time to do something different. That something different ended up being SLSHOP, a fine legacy indeed.  

Bruce explains: “I had done a couple of magazine publications through Mercedes club and I had done a few write-ups of events as well, so I was quite used to the media side of what the cars were about.

“However, things took off when I went to the classic car show in Malvern near where I live and met Sam Bailey. At the time, Sam had just managed to get the SLSHOP on the world map. He was there with his family at the time.

“I could see that an SL had pulled up into the car park – an R107. I put my business card on the windscreen of the R107. The phone rang shortly after, and the rest is history!

“Basically, we got together, did a BBQ at the Stockwood site and talked. I looked at the workshops and could see the potential. We looked at each other and thought “I could do with a bit of this”.

“That’s how SLSHOP started from that point onwards. It became a fully-blown business. I came on board as a mechanic running the workshops, and that’s what got us going. It’s been continual growth ever since.”

As for the 124 itself, that was sold on to a gentleman in Humberside who still owns it to this day. He remains in regular contact with Bruce to update him on where the car is up to and also asks for his help when required.

“You never know, it may return to me one day” adds Bruce.

Read more about Bruce Greetham’s car history here.

Share With Your Fellow Enthusiasts

More from Journal

  • Mercedes 560SL Performance Road Car

    Mercedes 560SL Performance Road Car

    January 27th, 2023
  • Maradona’s Mercedes 450SLC & a Royal Alternative

    Maradona’s Mercedes 450SLC & a Royal Alternative

    January 24th, 2023
  • Sales Robust as Mercedes-Benz Marque Value Index Up 22.64% Year to Date

    Sales Robust as Mercedes-Benz Marque Value Index Up 22.64% Year to Date

    January 19th, 2023
  • Interview with Head of Mercedes-Benz Heritage: Marcus Breitschwerdt

    Interview with Head of Mercedes-Benz Heritage: Marcus Breitschwerdt

    January 10th, 2023
  • Breaking Mercedes R107 SL, R129 SL and W113 Pagoda for Parts

    Breaking Mercedes R107 SL, R129 SL and W113 Pagoda for Parts

    January 10th, 2023
  • 60 Facts About the Mercedes Pagoda

    60 Facts About the Mercedes Pagoda

    December 22nd, 2022
  • Mercedes W113 Pagoda Paint Codes

    Mercedes W113 Pagoda Paint Codes

    December 21st, 2022
  • 2022 End of Year Market Review

    2022 End of Year Market Review

    December 21st, 2022
  • SLSHOP LEADS 60TH PAGODA ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

    SLSHOP LEADS 60TH PAGODA ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

    December 20th, 2022
  • The Perfect Petrolhead Pressies

    The Perfect Petrolhead Pressies

    December 12th, 2022
  • The Mercedes R129 SL in the Headlines

    The Mercedes R129 SL in the Headlines

    December 8th, 2022
  • What Could a Petrolhead’s December Involve?

    What Could a Petrolhead’s December Involve?

    December 1st, 2022
  • Mercedes-Benz Classic Car Rally 2022 – India Coverage

    Mercedes-Benz Classic Car Rally 2022 – India Coverage

    November 28th, 2022
  • EXCLUSIVE OVP RELAY FOR CLASSIC MERCEDES MODELS

    EXCLUSIVE OVP RELAY FOR CLASSIC MERCEDES MODELS

    November 17th, 2022
  • Mercedes 300SL Bulkhead Restoration Project

    Mercedes 300SL Bulkhead Restoration Project

    November 16th, 2022
  • Taking your R107 to the next level with LSD.

    Taking your R107 to the next level with LSD.

    November 15th, 2022
  • Mercedes 280SL Pagoda Driven

    Mercedes 280SL Pagoda Driven

    November 4th, 2022
  • Movember at SLSHOP

    Movember at SLSHOP

    November 4th, 2022
  • Alex Brundle Drives SportLine

    Alex Brundle Drives SportLine

    October 29th, 2022
  • Nineties Knights in Photos

    Nineties Knights in Photos

    October 28th, 2022
  • Annual Classic Car Emissions Revealed

    Annual Classic Car Emissions Revealed

    October 19th, 2022
  • Elan Valley Pilgrimage, October 1st 2022

    Elan Valley Pilgrimage, October 1st 2022

    October 10th, 2022
  • MOT Exemption Doesn’t mean make an Exception?

    MOT Exemption Doesn’t mean make an Exception?

    October 10th, 2022
  • THE 6.3 LITRE V8 POWERED PAGODA

    THE 6.3 LITRE V8 POWERED PAGODA

    October 4th, 2022
  • Should you buy Used Mercedes-Benz Parts Online?

    Should you buy Used Mercedes-Benz Parts Online?

    October 3rd, 2022
  • 50 Years of the S-Class and which one to buy

    50 Years of the S-Class and which one to buy

    September 29th, 2022
  • Restored 1968 Mercedes 280SL Pagoda

    September 28th, 2022
CARE

THE ULTIMATE CERTIFIED SERVICING INVESTMENT PLAN

Your ownership journey matters to us, which is why we have created a simple certified servicing investment plan, tailored to your individual needs and aspirations.

Start investing today and our dedicated CARE team will work with you to increase the value and enjoyment you receive from your vehicle.

SLSHOP CARE Certified Saving Investment Plan

ENJOY YOUR VEHICLE WITH CONFIDENCE AND PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT FOR AS LITTLE AS £55.00 PER MONTH

DISCOVER CARE
STAY IN TUNE WITH SLSHOP MOMENTS

As part of SLSHOP’s community of enthusiasts, you’ll be the first to hear about events and tours, key product offers, exciting stories from owners around the world and of course… our latest additions to the showroom. So, be the first to know and you might just sneak a car on your driveway or take your car’s condition to new heights with our exclusive replacement parts.

Or, visit SLSHOP Journal

Contact

What are you waiting for? Drop us a line and let us know which car you would like to hire and when you would like it. We’ll guide you through everything from there on in.

    This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

    More From SLSHOP

    Experience
    Workshops
    Parts Store
    CARE

    Contact SLSHOP Showroom

    Whatever your Mercedes-Benz, Whatever your needs are, Let the SLSHOP help you. It all starts with getting to know you and your needs. We have designed this contact form to be quick and easy and we never share your data.

      This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

      Contact

      Location

      T:01789 337 070

      [email protected]

      SLSHOP

      Unit 1a, 2, 3, & 4b Drayton Manor Drive
      Stratford Upon Avon, Warwickshire
      CV37 9RQ

      Hours:
      Mon-Fri 9:00am – 5:00pm
      Saturday by appointment only
      Closed Sunday

       

      Services

      • Showroom
      • Workshops
      • Events
      • Parts Store
      • Additional Services

      SLSHOP

      • We Are SLSHOP
      • Careers
      • COVID-19 Information
      • Visit or Contact
      • Terms
        • Car Sales Terms
        • CARE TERMS & CONDITIONS
        • UK Event & Experiences TERMS & CONDITIONS
        • Gift Voucher Terms
      • Privacy & Cookie Policy

      Connect

      Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram