1988 Mercedes-Benz R107 300SL with Grey Leather (278)

Delivered new in May 1988 in London to its first owner this right-hand drive UK 300SL has had three subsequent owners and covered just 34,106 since it was registered. Finished in Blue Black Metallic paint with a light grey interior, its circa 1,000 miles average annual use means this car looks and drives like an example that feels like it’s three and a half years old, rather than its actual three and a half decades.

It left its second owner and London in 1996 to spend a decade with its third owner Sheffield, before heading to Aberdeen, Scotland, from 2007. In that time all four owners have exhibited the same attention to detail for its upkeep, with the original service book fully stamped and accompanied by ample documentation outlining its fastidious servicing and maintenance by German marque specialists at its respective locations.

As such E844 FNJ comes with all but a couple of its MOT certificates, all of which underline the wonderful condition and maintenance of this car, these accompanied by a number of tax discs and receipts for the once necessary tracking devices (since removed). Supplied new with electric mirrors and windows, city drive lights, paint coat protection and a black canvas folding roof, along with its hardtop, this 300SL is a fine example of this increasingly appreciated, and enjoyable six-cylinder model.

A history file is always a good way to ascertain the quality and condition of a car, and this 300SL is the demonstration of that. A thick wad of paperwork outlines the regular and careful upkeep of this car, as does the fully stamped, original service booklet. Not that you’ll need to dig too deep into the box file to appreciate that the previous owners of this car have loved it, which is to the benefit of its next owner. The interior shows very little evidence of use, the paintwork outside in excellent condition and the engine bay also underlines that this little used car has lived a pampered life.

The sofas in SLSHOP are comfortable, which is just as well, as if you want to peruse the extensive history file that accompanies E844 FNJ you’ll be sat in them for a long time (we’ll supply a coffee, too). If you want the edited highlights, they’re here, these including a thick pile of MOT certificates without a hint of advisories, a stamped-up original service booklet (along with the original handbook in its correct leather pouch) and plenty of receipts to back up the obvious condition of the car. There’s a charmingly honest note in one service receipt outlining the lubrication of the seat runners, where the garage noted it found a 50p coin in the passenger runner – which we assume it was returned to the owner. History files don’t come much better, really, much like the car it applies to.

It’s unusual for a car to have undergone the same level of respectful care over a number of owners during its 35 years, but that’s exactly what this 300SL has been lucky enough to experience. That much is obvious looking at it, as it presents absolutely beautifully. Indeed, the only obvious difference today from when it was delivered are the 3, 4, 1, 0, and 6 that now occupy the odometer spaces to create a relatively small overall number of around 1000 miles use per year. Crucially though, that odometer reading, while low, is one that’s sizeable enough to mean it’s been used and enjoyed, and regularly maintained to do so – unlike many troublesome tiny mileage cars. It’s a new, more considered, classier stereo head unit away from 300SL continued 1000 mile per annum nirvana, or, indeed much more as well you might be tempted to.