1987 Mercedes Benz R107 300SL with Black/Charcoal Cloth (071)

Well-maintained 300SL in forever popular Signal Red in factory original condition. This example has been known to (and maintained by) us since 2017. A fine example of a six-cylinder SL with all the right (mostly Mercedes-Benz Truro) history stamps, showing consistent top-quality care from new, to the present. In addition, the service booklet shows an impressive six brake fluid changes; all-but one carried out by Mercedes-Benz. 

This 300SL has attractive Black/Charcoal cloth interior trim, flanked by black vinyl. It’s a sporty mix that makes a change from the usual black or beige leather. We’ve carried out a fair bit of upkeep maintenance and servicing on this car over recent years and therefore know it’s a great example, ready to be enjoyed with confidence. 

With a service history most owners of old cars can only dream of and with £1000s spent recently bringing back the fizz to the driving experience, there’s an awful lot to recommend this 300SL. Add superb condition inside and out into the mix and one of the most desirable colours and you’ve got a winner. 

The paint and panels along this SL’s long slab-sided flanks still look superb – just a small (inch-long) scratch (touched-up) to the passenger door the only imperfection visible. Chrome remains in excellent order throughout with a highly-polished shine reflecting one’s surroundings with ease. The glass is all clear and free from chips or damage of any kind. The engine bay has been detailed to perfection and really sets off the powerplant and its ancillaries. The fluid reservoirs, air intakes and plenum cover plastics all look as new, all of which is framed by brand-new insulation to the underside of the bonnet. Underneath proper looks clean, tidy and straight, especially the all-important sills, floors and kick panels. A new exhaust back box seems to have been added in the not too distant past as well.

Plenty to get stuck into here, as this SL’s enjoyed several contentious owners over the years. Most recently, we were tasked with sharpening up the driving experience, or at least returning it to how Mercedes-Benz intended, replacing anti-roll bar and subframe bushes; transforming the feel of the front end in the process.  Further back, in addition to the horde of Mercedes-Benz Truro stamps in the service book, there are a number of invoices from independent specialist garages for minor work. The previous owner has documented that the car won show prizes every time it was entered, including 1^st place in the 80’s class at the Blenheim Palace concours and “Car of the Show” at the 150+ Naunton Classic and Vintage Transport show competing against far more exotic and expensive machinery. In all cases the judges admired it for its excellent factory exterior condition both on the exterior and inside.

This SL is refreshingly uncomplicated by a host of toys. We did notice heated mirrors, with electric adjustment on the right, of course, though little else is needed when you consider the already generous specification of a UK-supplied R107.   An excellent period-looking Blaupunkt Bremen was added by us back in 2020. It might look period but it’s carrying updated Bluetooth and DAB capability, greatly enhancing the car’s in-car entertainment. Regardless, it’s the R107’s looks and driving experience that set it apart from its contemporaries.