Winning bid
£18,000

1979 Mercedes-Benz 350SL (R107)

Highlights

  • Eye Catching off-red colour scheme with matched alloys
  • Only one previous owner
  • Original hardtop and soft top included
  • Light brown MB Tex interior

The Appeal

The R107 is perhaps one of the most essential classic cars on the market. Thanks to a combination of good workmanship, pleasant lines and near-contemporary performance, these roadsters are so ubiquitous to the scene that they can be recognised by the most surface-level enthusiast. They’re movie stars, TV stars, fixtures at car shows and are often a classic collector’s choice for daily driver.
This example is finished in a superb red colour scheme, with an all-original interior and boasts a long-cherished life, with the current buyer only selling in the hopes it finds regular usage. 

The History and Paperwork

  • Previously owned by a late friend of the Vendor, who had the car from 1989 until 2020 
  • Kept in dry storage in an air-conditioned garage 
  • Full MOT until April 2023
  • Includes original owner’s manual
  • Includes owner’s guide for the cassette player
  • Numerous test certificates all the way back to 1988
  • Numerous invoices for previous work done
  • Haynes repair manual included in sale

The Interior

  • Dattel/Light Brown MB TX interior
  • Attractive Zebrano veneers
  • Fitted with 1989 Pioneer DEH-55 CD player
R107s are very well-appointed cars, with the perfect balance between the contemporary and the classic. Smooth, flowing shapes across the dashboard set a pleasantly modern tone, with an attractive, tidy raised binnacle, vintage-style Zebrano veneers and a warm, brown colour scheme from top to bottom. 
This car’s interior has shown some light wear over its venerable 43 years, with some gentle patina to the MB Tex seating. These are little more than your standard, tell-tale creases and sag that represent use. The steel mount on the driver’s seat requires a new cap over the folding mechanism, something very easy to replace. 
The carpets show standard age-commensurate wear but are largely well-kept with no major faults to highlight. The door cards display very nicely with minimal creasing, while the veneers are in superb order with no scratching or crackas to the lacquer that we can discern.
The textured steering wheel and upper dashboard are in very good order, clearly having been kept very clean and dry. The instruments look to be in good order, though the seller does note that the odometer seized a few years ago. This should be a fairly easy and inexpensive fix.  
The boot is showing standard levels of age-commensurate wear, but appears to be in very good order overall - the more exacting buyer may wish to replace the carpets to suit the superb condition of the car. 

The Exterior 

  • Attractive off-red colour scheme - a relatively rare colour spec
  • Matching colour-coordinated alloys
  • Includes original hard top and soft top
The R107’s bold lines have, for many, personified an entire era of the German brand. With those squared lines, tasteful chrome accents and perfect proportions making for a truly iconic car, it’s little wonder that it’s become so sought after. 
This example features a bold off-red colour scheme, with coordinated alloys. It isn’t one of the colour specs we see very often, and should prove quite the head-turner for even the most seasoned enthusiast. The paintwork’s in excellent order overall, with some age-commensurate wear, and only a minor paint chip on the rear-right-hand wheel arch. 
The chrome, headlight lenses and all-important branding is all in fine fettle, and the car’s alloys are in superb order with only a gentle patina, shod in a good set of Runway tyres. 
The car’s low mileage and safe storage is further reflected underneath, with few if any signs of corrosion that we can discern. It shows a gentle level of wear, but nothing we’d expect out of the ordinary - and the sills are in rare order. 
The hard top is in good condition, though the seller notes there is a small bit of rust to the lower seam. This doesn’t impact its usefulness and both the paint and chrome still look superb to our eyes. 
The soft top has a minor scuff on the rear right-hand corner, and could do with a bit of a cleanup, but is still in highly useable condition and accents the car’s paintwork very, very nicely. 
Ultimately, this is a great example - and that colour scheme endears us to it immediately!

The Mechanics 

  • Powered by the 3.5L V8, arguably the most desirable version of the car
  • Automatic transmission
  • MOT valid until April 2023
  • Engine starts exactly as expected with no major issues
  • No faults reported by the vendor

Summary

An excellent overall example, beautifully cared for - the perfect opportunity to get your hands on a winning example of the era-defining car. 
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
All bidding, buying and offers are subject to our Terms and Conditions.
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Auction Details

  • Year1979
  • MakeMercedes
  • Model350SL (R107)
  • ColourRed
  • Odometer81,930 Miles
  • Engine size3499cc
  • Seller TypePrivate
  • TownSwansea
  • CountyWales
  • CountryUnited Kingdom
  • Auction ends

Bidding history

28 Bids

oliverw••••
Bid
£18,000
25/01/23
walsh.d••••
Bid
£17,750
25/01/23
oliverw••••
Bid
£17,500
25/01/23
walsh.d••••
Bid
£17,250
25/01/23
oliverw••••
Bid
£17,000
25/01/23
walsh.d••••
Bid
£16,500
25/01/23
oliverw••••
Bid
£16,250
25/01/23
walsh.d••••
Bid
£16,000
25/01/23
alex.ra••••
Bid
£15,500
25/01/23
walsh.d••••
Bid
£15,000
25/01/23

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