1989 Mercedes-Benz R107 420SL with Beige Leather (275)

February 1989, at Swindon Motors in the West Midlands, was when the first owner set eyes on this Signal Red 420SL, it is certain to have brightened up what’s usually a pretty miserable month. Little has changed since then, with the 37,939 miles that have rolled under the tyres of this beautifully clean 420 SL, via four further owners, evidently having done so with serious care and attention. As such this car presents in time-warp condition with only the tiniest trace of a kissed kerb on the passenger side front wheel – well, nobody’s perfect – as, odometer reading aside, evidence that it’s been used and enjoyed. Naturally, there’s a stamped-up service booklet to back up the visual condition, and when that first owner ordered it, they did so well, with this car coming from the factory with cruise control, electric windows, lowered front seats and a limited-slip differential.

Certain years suit particular models, and with the R107 arriving in the same year that the Rolling Stones adopted the John Pasche designed Hot Lips logo, red is the colour. Signal Red here, which is perfect in its finish, and contrasts perfectly with the bright chrome and black plastic trim pieces. The bodywork is immaculate, with that Signal Red paint still deep and lustrous, the chrome too sparkling like new. Opening the doors to get inside only underlines that, as not only does the interior present perfectly with clean cream leather, a black contrasting dash top and highly polished wood veneer, but even the gaps in the door shuts are so clean you’d believe us if we told you it’d never been used. With lowered front seats you sit in it a little bit deeper, the rear ‘seats’ so perfect it’s unlikely a bag has ever touched them, let alone a bottom.   With its 218hp V8, mated to a four-speed automatic transmission, providing useful urge, the original fitment of a limited-slip differential is welcome, making those brisk departures far more graceful, and sharpening things up on the move, too. Fitted with a black canvas folding roof, it also comes with its original hard top.

Having been used sparingly over its near 35 years, covering little over 1,000 miles each year, these have all evidently been dry miles, too – as tellingly all its service stamps are in the summer months. As such, the condition speaks for itself, this a car that’s obviously been looked after with love and no consideration to expense, with the associated paperwork all points to this. There’s a handful of tax discs among all of that, as is the supplying dealer tax disc holder, all of which back up its time-warp condition. Look out for the bright orange carboard hanger too, which explains how to use the cruise control, as well as the manual for the Blaupunkt stereo, these little details always pleasing to find among the files and underlining that its five owners have cherished this particular 420 SL.

A car that’s been loved, that’s obvious, and one that represents a brilliant opportunity for its next custodian to add some miles onto it without consideration about anything other than keeping up that regular servicing and enjoying driving it. With its powerful, characterful V8 and smooth auto making the 420 SL a fine all-rounder, you’ll likely want to use it for more than just weekends and away days – as well you should – this 420 SL such a fine example it's not likely to be in the showroom for long…