1979 Mercedes 350SL (R107)

Highlights

• First-generation V8 R107
• Long-term owner
• Tax, MOT and ULEZ-exempt
• Several invoices including full engine recondition
• Hood, carpets and wood trim all replaced

Overview

In Mercedes-Benz parlance, the SL moniker is one that’s steeped in iconography. It stands for ‘Sport und Leicht’, or sporting and lightweight, and can be traced back to the 190SL of the 1950s, as well as the legendary ‘Gullwing’ 300SL. 

But by the 1970s, the car had become neither light nor particularly sporty. Indeed, it's one of the heaviest sports cars of its era and not a particularly agile one at that. So why is it so agonisingly cool?

The reasons are threefold. First, in 350SL, 450SL and 500SL format, it came with a whopping great V8. A mighty engine with astonishing flexibility and reliability that is regarded as one of the all-time greats. 

Second, it was beautifully made, with comfort, solidity, sturdiness and mechanical longevity right at its core. It was marketed as a coupé with a removable hard top – a very advanced roof system for its era, whereby the retractable soft top could be folded down and stored under a tonneau cover and the hardtop fitted on top for use over winter; as over-engineered as the rest of the car, which came from an era when the German manufacturer was renowned for building the finest cars in the world. 

Third? Just look at it. Regardless of the angle you choose, this is a truly handsome machine. A real head-turner. It’s almost worth tuning into old episodes of Dallas in order to see the R107 in its contemporary glory. Almost…

But rather than that, you could always buy one. Then you could look at it whenever you wanted to without having to suffer ham acting and cringeworthy storylines, or even go out for a spin, Ray-Bans in place, and admire your reflection in shop windows as you cruise past. 

This one certainly isn’t for shrinking violets. Recently repainted in bold solid red, which Mercedes credited with the most imaginative colour name ever – Mercedes-Benz Red – it’s a phenomenal-looking beast and it has been kept in the same family for the past 15 years, where it has been given everything it has ever needed. It’s also exempt from ULEZ and other emissions-charging schemes as it’s logged as a Historic Vehicle with DVLA, making it the perfect companion for cruising around London and other big cities.

History and documentation

• First registered on 30 August 1979

• Original Mercedes-Benz book pack

• MOT, tax and ULEZ exempt

• Despite MOT exemption, the vendor has just had the car MOT’d and the current test runs until June 2, 2026

• Large file of invoices, including one for a full engine recondition

• Lots of old MOTs

• Collectors’ SL book also included

Interior

• Smart two-tone interior with grey seat facings and black vinyl bolsters

• Matching door cards

• Carpets recently renewed

• All of the dashboard wood has been replaced with high quality reproduction items

• Small crack on dashboard, near screen

• Electric windows

• Modern Sony USB stereo

• Well-presented, carpeted luggage area

• The vendor reports that the odometer no longer records mileage, but that the speedometer works as intended

• Some of the interior lights are inoperative 

Exterior

• Bold ‘Mercedes-Benz Red’ paint in good overall order 

• The car has clearly had a respray at some point, but has a smart appearance and deep shine

• Original ‘Mexican Hat’ wheels in excellent condition

• Recent new mohair hood

• Bumpers have been re-chromed

• All of the other external brightwork and trim is in good order

• The vendor reports that the chrome trim absent from the nearside of the car will be replaced before the auction concludes

• Appears solid underneath, with one advisory for corrosion in the spare wheel well

• From the MOT history, it would appear that the car has previously had some underbody repair work carried out

• Hardtop included but has faded in storage and will benefit from a machine polish or paint

• Neat retro Hella fog lamps

Mechanical

• 3.5-litre fuel-injected V8

• 200bhp

• Three-speed automatic transmission

• Four-wheel disc brakes

• Recent new battery

• New radiator

• Full stainless steel exhaust system

Summary

Some cars are revered for being icons of their time and the R107 SL is one of them – for a very good reason. Let’s face it, you haven’t clicked through to this auction and not imagined yourself cruising down a boulevard somewhere, sunglasses on, great tunes on the stereo and a seemingly endless summer ahead, have you?

Whether that boulevard is in Los Angeles or Littlehampton doesn’t matter, because behind the wheel of this SL you’ll be the coolest person in town. And that, in a nutshell, is what makes it great. Well, that and those V8 noises that it makes, amplified by a stainless steel exhaust for extra resonance. 

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Brighton, East Sussex.