1988 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL

The car

Of all the variants Mercedes built across the R107’s eighteen year run, the 300 SL is arguably the one to have. It uses the later evolution of the straight-six, which strikes a balance the V8 cars never quite manage: enough performance for the way the car is actually driven, better economy, and a great deal less to go wrong.

This one is a UK market right-hand drive example in Deep Blue, with the grey leather and cloth interior and burr walnut that suits the colour particularly well. It stayed with the same keeper for roughly twenty years and was garage stored until 2022, since when it has been used on the road.

Where it is now

The car is with our specialists. It arrived with recent attention already recorded to the suspension, ignition and running gear, including lower arms, a wheel bearing kit, rear tyres and alignment, plugs, a full ignition lead set and a replacement distributor body, all documented in the file. That work forms the starting point rather than the finish.

This page will be updated as the restoration progresses, and the car will be listed for sale once it is complete.

Both roofs

The hard top is fitted and the integrated dark blue soft top is present and working, which is the combination worth having: a coupé through the winter and an open car the moment it is worth being one.

The file

Service records and invoices run back eleven years, alongside the original Mercedes-Benz datacard listing how the car left Sindelfingen, down to the factory fire extinguisher and the left-hand-traffic headlamps.