1986 Mercedes-Benz R107 300SL with Beige Leather (275)

If one were to make a list of ‘Forgotten Cars of the Bygone Era’, the R107 would most definitely not make the list. That might be the only list it’s not on, considering it has just about done everything possible by a motor car from the seventies/eighties. From being the venerable cruiser, the go-to choice of those living a rather opulent life, making numerous appearances on the telly, being raced and rallied, to even surviving the test of time, to list a few, the Mercedes-Benz R107 SL is a listicle naysayer’s biggest enemy. It is multifaceted, and its appeal as a classic is only going the right way up.

Presented here is a 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300SL with under 75,000 miles on the clock, three former keepers, and as our internal exhaustive test reveals, in good condition. It’s finished in Signal Red, has a beige leather interior, and as you’d expect from a late model, it comes with a hard top. Not just recently but even its former keepers retained the car’s history quite well, reflected through the bunch of paperwork the car is supplied with. That’s not limited to the service book and recent maintenance records, V5Cs and used car sales invoices, but also the original bill of sale. That’s inarguably cool to be able to step back in time every time you see these documents or take the car out for a drive. Even if the car in question is pretty much timeless.

The brilliant bit about the R107 is that it's currently the sweet spot between the relatively higher value W113 Pagoda and the more accessible (but a classic in its own right) R129. The Panzerwagen looks and feels great in general, and the A8 GNU is no exception to that. On the outside, the late-model bodywork appears to be free from damage or surface rust. The paintwork hasn't lost its shine but it can benefit from a detailing session, the 15-inch wheels look spotless, and the panels appear to be consistently spaced and aligned. The soft top looks good and without any cuts, whereas the hard top looks alright, too, apart from a slight discolouration on the headlining. The interior, specced with leather upholstery and rear seat, appears to be in decent condition.

The SLSHOP's Assured Check, which isn't just about the visual and mechanical state of the car but also its drive, proves the car's good health. It drives well and there seems to be no deviation from regular functioning. The tyres, although put under limited use, are old, so the new owner might need to consider replacing them. Underneath, too, the car appears to be clean, with some points worth noting: all of which can be viewed on our report.

Bought on October 1, 1986, this Mercedes-Benz 300SL has three former keepers, with the seller having purchased the car more than a decade and a half ago. The car comes with a well-documented service file, too. This SL has done 74,700 miles from new, it has had a clean MoT history, and it has been regularly serviced. In terms of mileage, looking at the records, it has covered about 30,000 miles over the last two decades. The current keeper bought this 300SL in 2008 when it was at 54,000 miles.

SL’s are always a delight to drive, and the 300SL exemplifies the experience. A straight-six-engined R107 mightn't be rare, but as far as drivability goes, these are worth your time and money. This particular car looks to be in good condition, and with no major work required, it's nearly ready to be enjoyed to the fullest. Now whether you decide to pull the roof down for an early morning cruise or just keep it up and drive around in style, it's up to you, but as we mentioned before, there's not much that the R107 can't do, and it'll gladly oblige to your motoring demands, too. It’s worth noting that the cherished number plate ‘A8 GNU’ is available by separate negotiation.