Substantial history file containing a comprehensive service record
Desirable range-topping 5.0-litre V8
Optioned with rear seats from the factory
Soon to qualify for road tax, MOT and ULEZ exemption
Matching hard top present alongside a virtually new brown soft top
Just 86,957 miles and five former registered keepers
The Appeal
Five decades on from the start of production, the Mercedes-Benz R107 SL is still as popular as ever. It's no secret that there are plenty to go round - Mercedes-Benz made it for eighteen years. But few boast such enviable history, specification and condition as this lovely example from 1986.
This is the coveted 500 SL, featuring the largest V8 available to British buyers and the factory specification is superb. It's resplendent in the desirable hue of 'Smoke Silver' over 'Brazil' (brown) MB Tex and is equipped with the optional rear seats. It even still has the mathcing hard top and Becker radio.
During present ownership, the car has always stored in temperature controlled storage facility on trickle charge. It's been regularly started up and the gears have been engaged. The vendor states that they do not drive it in the rain.
There are only 86,957 (warranted) miles under its belt and with ULEZ, road tax and MOT exemption on the not-so-distant horizon, this SL is a very tempting proposition. It's been judiciously maintained, predominantly by renowned specialists SL Shop - as is evidenced in a series of substantial invoices.
With summer now finally upon us, this SL is the perfect addition to any collection.
The History and Paperwork
First registered in 1986
MOT until 10th August 2024
V5C present
Well maintained and reportedly always garaged
Warranted 86,957 miles
Six registered keepers
Large history file with complete service history, including 26 MOTs
Owner’s manuals
Spare wheel and jack
Three keys
Toolkit and fire extinguisher
Offered for sale as the vendor is emigrating to Portugal
The Condition
Smoke Silver metallic paintwork in excellent condition
Optional hardtop included in matching Smoke Silver
Body panels appear solid and panel fit is nice and tight and even with only some untreated stone chips that would benefit from some attention
Brown hood in great shape
All lights are free from damage or cracks
Recently refurbished 14” Bundt style wheels
Front fog lights
Underneath looks good and solid
Chrome trim all in very nice condition
Original 'Brazil' MB Tex upholstery
Excellent condition throughout
Power steering
Cruise control
Original Becker Grand Prix Radio complete with original demonstration cassette
Rear seats
Electric windows and wing mirrors
Carpets and door cards all good
Hood inner lining nice and clean
All electrics work as they should
Dry carpeted boot area
The believed all original paintwork is still in great shape, barring two superficial stone chips, with good chrome trim, lights and very nice recently refurbished wheels all with matching tyres. The former keeper completed a full rust inspection and treated all areas including the rear bumpers which were painted and weather-treated.
The matching hard top is in similarly good condition with a clean headlining and the car also features a brown hood which goes up and down easily and the vendor describes as in "virtually new" condition.
Inside the cabin, the original MB Tex interior has worn extremely well with the deep comfortable seats still being firm and supportive.
There’s cruise control and electric windows and other than some minor cracking to the wood veneer on the centre console there’s very little to show its real age. The headlining of the hard top is good and the car has been fitted with a new soft top in 2015, with carpets and door cards all being in very good condition.
All the electrics and switchgear are reported to be working and the car still has its original Becker Grand Prix Radio fitted, complete with demonstration cassette. The clean, dry boot is carpeted and houses a full-size spare wheel with appropriate toolkit and underneath the bonnet the engine bay is nicely presented with no obvious signs of any issues.
The vendor remarks: "With minor investment, this car could rise from a beautiful original to near concourse level."
The Mechanics
5.0-litre V8 producing 240 bhp
Four-speed automatic gearbox
Limited-slip differential
Comprehensive service history with main dealers and specialists
Recent major service and additional work carried out at respected specialist SL Shop
Recent brake and steering box overhaul
Clean and tidy engine bay
Rare yet essential bonnet insulation in place along with front air dam
Ready to drive and enjoy
The vendor advises that the car and its V8 engine drive and perform, as one would expect, with smooth gear changes and no untoward noises or leaks, with just a reassuring burble from the exhaust.
When what it's like to drive, the vendor says: "It's a blast!! Tons of power and like a great 500 SL should be, it's a comfortable and exhilarating cruiser."
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..
✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.
✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection
or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand.. If requested, we may refer you to a third-party shipping company who can help. For more details and to speak to the team, email [email protected]
Please see our FAQs
here
and our Terms & Conditions
here
Ask seller
Auction Details
Year1986
MakeMercedes
ModelSL Class
ColourSilver
Mileage86,962 Miles
Engine size4998
Seller TypePrivate
Town
Kenilworth
CountyWest Midlands
CountryUnited Kingdom
Auction ends
The Gallery
The safest way to buy a classic car online
Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
More about buying with us
1986 Mercedes-Benz 500SL (R107)
About Max Bids
The max bid process allows you to bid without any hassle.
Enter your maximum bid and we will then bid on your behalf to ensure you're the highest bidder - just enough to keep you in the lead and only up until your maximum.
Anti-sniping
Car & Classic prevent auction snipers from bidding in the last seconds to win an auction.
Auctions are extended by 3 minutes if anyone bids within the last 2 minutes to allow other bidders to react and counter-bid.
Auto-bidding increments
If your maximum bid is equal to or below the reserve price, your maximum bid will be applied in full if you are the highest bidder.
If you are the highest bidder and place a maximum bid above the reserve, we will automatically put in the reserve as your first bid.
Once the reserve has been met, Car & Classic will make sure you are the highest bidder using only the bidding increments stated below.
We will keep you in the lead up until your maximum bid OR the increment closest to your maximum bid, providing your maximum bid is enough to cover the increment value.
Bid Amount
Increment
£0 to £9,999
£100.00
£10,000 to £49,999
£250.00
£50,000 to £99,999
£500.00
£100,000 +
£1,000.00
Automatically outbid immediately
When you place a max bid and are outbid immediately that means that another bidder has placed a max bid limit which is higher than yours.
You can bid again and we will use our automatic bid system to try and get you as the highest bidder.
Matching max bids
When there are two max bids of the same value, the one placed first remains the lead bidder.
Pre-authorisation
We may hold a pre-authorisation charge on your card until the end of the auction when the hold will be cancelled. If you win, we'll take a security deposit which counts towards the payment for the vehicle and isn't any extra cost to you.
What are pre-bids?
A pre-bid means you're able to place a bid before the official start of the auction.
You will be notified whether or not you are the highest bidder when the auction starts.
Problem with your bid
Bids are contractually binding. To help protect you, we have some rules in place if we think it's been mistyped. Please check and amend what you have entered.
