1988 Mercedes-Benz R107 500SL with Medium Red Leather (277)

Mercedes 500SL in Pearl Grey Metallic (122O) with Medium Red Leather (277) & Black Soft Top 

Long term-ownership of 16 years, two keys, low mileage

‘’Possibly the highest quality, completely original left-hand drive 500SL on the continent.’’

Bruce Greetham

This Mercedes 500SL is emerging from long-term ownership having been cherished by its present custodian for over 16 years. The vehicle was first registered in the UK in 2006, having been imported from Europe where it lived a sheltered life for its first 18 years of life. Since 2006, we have had the pleasure of caring for this 500SL, dedicated hundreds of hours to give this 500SL the title as ‘possibly the highest quality, completely original left-hand drive 500SLs on the continent.’

The condition of this 500SL is stupendous – the original R107 brochure accompanying the car corroborates this – each page as glossy as the day it was handed over to the original buyer in the Showroom. Within this file is the vehicle’s Swiss passport stamped to confirm the car’s legal status in the country. Alongside this are all the original registration documents confirming the vehicle’s transition to permanent UK citizen.

EXTERIOR:

This 500SL is painted in a timeless Pearly Grey Metallic – a colour that neatly slots into the contemporary sea of automobiles. Examining each panel, we can confirm that there is no damage to the paintwork – it is immaculate and unlike any original paintwork we have encountered. Scanning the front a rear bumpers, you will notice that the minimalist chromework retains a mirror finish, with the black mouldings still well saturated with no marks or fading to the material.

At all four corners, the lights are clear and clean, with no moisture collecting where seals may have failed over time. As expected with a 500SL with under 50,000 miles, the hard top chrome is arrow straight and with the sparkle expected of a luxury Mercedes-Benz from the late eighties. The wheels are immaculate with no marks, scratches or dents. Each wheel bolt is clean and akin to a new off-the-shelf replacement. Adorning the wheels are period correct Michelin tires on all four wheels which were fitted in 2018.

INTERIOR:

 Inside, you will find a sumptuous Medium Red leather (277) interior which emits a nostalgic scent. Each inch of leather has been protected over the years, with minimal creasing present to give an aged look. The centre panel perforations add intricate details to the seats, with a robust piping flanking each inch of the seats. The carpets are rich in hue and the matts retain the original Mercedes-Benz logo which is perfect in finish. The B-pillar chrome caps are mint, with not scratches or marks that usually appear when removing and fitting the Hard Top.

All elements of the dashboard are original, with the Burl Wood retaining its originally gloss finish – as depicted by the gear shifter. This is a high specification 500SL, featuring heated seats, cruise control, outside temperature gauge, rear seats, adjustable wing mirror and ATA with Passive Activation – the latter of which is MB’s very own term for anti-theft system. The 500SL was also fitted with Limited Slip Differential as standard. This particular example also features the European fog lamps which are finished in a yellow/orange tone.

This is a stunning example of the flagship R107. These variants are becoming harder to find in such condition in 2022 and as we move further into the 21^st century, are only likely to increase in value.

In the last four years, minimal expenditure has been required to keep the car in this condition. The last major servicing occurred in 2018 with SLSHOP, at which time we restored the front anti-roll bars, replacement injector seals fitted, replacement hoses and an array of gaskets. This was carried out at 72,000km with only 8,000km driven since.

Due to the size of the file present with the vehicle, we urge interested parties to visit us for further information or request a video walkaround of the vehicle.

• 240 OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE INDICATOR
• 256 REAR AXLE WITH LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL
• 260 TYPE DESIGNATION ON TRUNK LID - ELIMINATION
• 440 TEMPOMAT (CRUISE CONTROL)
• 506 OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR, LEFT AND RIGHT, HEATED (ELECTRICALLY ADJUSTABLE ON THE RIGHT)
• 532 AUTOMATIC ANTENNA WITHOUT RADIO SET
• 543 SUN VISOR WITH VANITY MIRROR, ILLUMINATED, LEFT AND RIGHT
• 552 ATA WITH PASSIVE ACTIVATION
• 565 REAR SEATS USED ON SL MODELS
• 570 FOLDING ARMREST, FRONT
• 592 HEAT-INSULATING GLASS, ALL-AROUND, HEATED REAR WINDOW PANE, BAND FILTER
• 603 HEADLAMP WIPER UNIT AND OIL FOR REAR AXLE WITH LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL, IN CANISTERS AND CONTAINERS
• 620 VEHICLES WITH CATALYST TECHNIQUE
• 636 DELETION - WARNING TRIANGLE
• 740 BLACK SOFT TOP FABRIC 9001
• 823 LICENSE PLATE FASTENING SWITZERLAND
• 873 SEAT HEATER FOR LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEATS