Spring inspires a Spritely run of SL Sales

It would be easy to attribute the current high levels of showroom activity to the slow opening up of the country and the arrival of blue skies and warmer days, but the hive that is our showroom hasn’t stopped buzzing for an entire year.

2021 has brought a fresh influx of enthusiasm, with buyers seeking out cars for summer vacations, whether they be at home or abroad. We’re still riding the wave of positivity and the ‘life is short’ mentality – the cars we are rehoming are going to enthusiasts who are determined to do more, see more and drive more. If you are looking to acquire an SL of any age, our advice would be to start the conversation very soon… the workshops are extremely busy preparing cars for the season, and the showroom activity shows no signs of abating. We constantly update our Coming Soon page to keep you informed of cars that are in preparation, and often cars are secured before the reach the website, as you’ll see when reading below.

Contact Bruce and the team to discuss an appropriate vehicle for your summer road trip.

Since our last Showroom Sold Cars Update, we have 14 recently sold cars to share with you, including 5 Pagodas:

The Low Mileage Unrestored Pagoda

This list is be compiled in no particular order, but this car had to boast the first mention. With just 13,000 miles from new and in unrestored condition, no car to date has caused such a stir in the showroom. Many conversations have been had around this car, and we are proud to now announce that it has found a new home. Having gotten to know the new owner over an evening cup of coffee and a sunset drive, it gives us great joy to say that this car has found the perfect keeper. It will be staying in the UK, and most importantly, it will be enjoyed. There are plans to use this car (albeit sparingly) and we look forward to seeing it out on the lush greens of a classic car show sometime soon. A lovely result for a car that has an interesting story, now on to the next phase on it’s life with some new chapters on ownership still to be written.

The Restored and Resplendent Pagoda

Another Pagoda that’s off to a new home is this beautiful restored 280SL, smartly combined with blue leather. This car arrived at SLSHOP just a few short weeks before a client secured it, and an excellent choice it was indeed. With a high quality restoration already completed, this car was an instant hit in the showroom – we have never seen a car with so many entrance slips to classic car shows, and we hope the new owner will continue to take the car to the events that It has become accustomed to!

California Dreaming

A Mercedes-Benz ‘Pagoda’ California is a rare thing indeed, a special edition car that replaces the folding soft top with a rear bench seat. There is no rear deck, instead the California boasts more passenger space and a choice of fixed hard top or open air motoring and nothing in-between. This rare car was ordered new in the UK, and we became very fond of it during it’s stay at SLSHOP. After two test drives on two separate days under glorious skies, the new owner became as smitten as our staff… we look forward to delivering this fine car ready for the season to begin.

Two Unseen Pag0das – The 230 that’s Destined for Greatness and a Restored 280.

In our position as Europe’s leading classic SL specialist, oftentimes cars are secured before ever reaching the website. Private conversations between Bruce, customers, friends and acquaintances often leads to a car changing hands without the need for photographs. A 230SL Pagoda was recently sourced by SLSHOP, ready for a client to push forward with a comprehensive restoration. More on this car soon, there are big plans afoot.

A second Pagoda was also secured, one that has already been through the restoration process. Immaculate and inch perfect, this blue over cream example has been known to SLSHOP for some time – Pagoda perfection set to be enjoyed by someone new.

The Low Mileage Nautical Blue

Nautical Blue is a shade of colour that many SLSHOP staff are fond of, synonymous with the 500SL that Bruce restored some years ago. This exceptional low mileage 300SL is moving to a new home, purchased by a client who wanted the very finest R107 300SL experience. It will be loved and adored, and may even appear at the odd summer show. Keep your eyes peeled.

The Very Special R129

The Green Black SL (right of frame) is now sold and off to a new home.

It’s not often that a car owned and specced by the UK director of Mercedes-Benz lands in the showroom, and this R129 was never going to hang around… A rare car, in a superb colour with all the kit and desirable low mileage on top. This has to be one of the finest R129 examples that SLSHOP have seen, and one that spurred a great deal of interest. Our apologies go out to those of you who missed this car – it was listed as ‘available’ on our website for no more than a matter of days. Can we interest you in this rather Special Edition instead…?

Everybody’s Going Surfing… Surfing in an SL

Surf Blue (also known as Deep Blue) is a rare shade that we see only on occasion. This is one of the few none-metallic shades that were offered in the final few years of production. This 300SL has gone to a friend of SLSHOP, a serial SL owner who was looking for something different after parting with an exceptional SLC. We’re sure to be seeing this car at local classic car shows, and it will most likely be in attendance at SLSHOP events throughout the year. A lovely and unusual car that’s staying ‘in the family’.

The High Specification 300SL

Another car that came and went in the blink of an eye is this Midnight Blue 300SL. Some of you may recognise the car as an exSLSHOP SL, offered for sale in our showroom just over a year ago. This car has a very interesting story, as it was ordered new by a lovely lady who got in touch last year after seeing it on our ‘coming soon’ page. Despite not seeing a photo, the distinctive specification made her realise this was the very same car she purchased back in 1989! Our esteemed friend was very excited and keen to secure the SL, however Bruce had already agreed a sale to a client that had been waiting for a car exactly like this. The client could not be persuaded otherwise, and our female friend was disappointed to have the car so close and yet so far.

Fast forward a year and due to a sad set of circumstances, the car returned to SLSHOP to be sold once more. Knowing the perfect customer was just a phone call away, no sooner had the car arrived with SLSHOP than it was secured with a deposit by the very first owner – it will be returning home in the coming weeks, a sad story that has a happy ending.

The Fully Restored 500

Whilst we are on the subject of missing out on perfect cars, the client who secured the 500SL shown above was rather disappointed to find that Bruce’s Nautical Blue car was no long available to buy. Seeking an SLSHOP restored 500SL in perfect all round condition, this Anthracite Grey 500SL fit the bill perfectly. The sale was agreed before the customer was able to visit and try the car, an event which finally took place in mid April. The special road-test day also coincided with another important date… the clients birthday! A special sign was erected, and of course, SLSHOP provided a birthday cake. There were smiles all round, and we look forward to delivering this car in the coming weeks –  it will be a slightly belated birthday present.

The Rare Green 500

Regular readers will know just how much we enjoy a Pine Green SL, and this super 500 is a shining example of this rare colour. With a V8 engine and that beige interior, it’s a very distinctive car, rare and desirable in it’s own right. We can’t recall seeing another V8 in Pine Green, despite a handful of 300SLs appearing in the showroom in this colour. This car is destined for an active new life, off to pastures new where it is sure to be enjoyed to it’s full potential.

The Triple Black 420

Another car returning to SLSHOP for the second time around, this 420SL is now moving to a new home with the previous owner looking to move into an older classic Mercedes-Benz. This very fine car was a hit in the showroom, with a number of conversations taking place before the car was secured by a client. Triple Black is a very rare and striking combination, a smart colour that rarely appears in the showroom.

The Diamond that was Never in the Rough

With a sweet straight-six engine and that glorious Diamond Blue paintwork, this car certainly shines. The client who has secured this car was initially looking for a later R129, but after wafting down the road in an SL500 decided something more stately was in order. With the choice on offer from SLSHOP, the appeal of Diamond Blue proved too much to resist. Another happy customer, and another client introduced to the wonderful world of R107 SL ownership.

The Thistle that’s actually quite a Peach

Here at SLSHOP we love Thistle Green, an iconic colour that’s perfectly complimented by the brown fabric soft top. With just over 31,000 miles backed up by the comprehensive paperwork, this Thistle is actually quite the peach… and a rare one at that, being one of just 2,152 420SLs produced and the second 420 sold by us on the same day.

If you are looking for an SL in time for summer, Bruce and the team are busy with cars coming and going at a remarkable pace.

To sell your SL, buy a car or tell us your exact requirements for a new classic, do get in touch – we are eager to help secure your classic Mercedes-Benz adventure.