This SL can trace its roots back to 1954 when Mercedes first introduced the SL, short for Super Leicht or Super Light to us Brits.

Built as a road going version of the racing W198, the first incarnation was named the 300 SL.

A 2-seater sports car with exceptional performance & revolutionary styling for the time with its “Gull Wing “doors, original cars have always been near the top of any collector’s wish list.

The SL model has been continuously updated over the decades and the car we have here today is actually a 5th generation model first introduced in 2001, with the AMG version available from 2002 to 2008.

First registered on the 22nd of November 2002 by we believe Mercedes-Benz Chelsea & subsequently serviced by them until 2007. Then judging by its service history, the SL stayed in the South of England, Guildford and then the Reading area before being taken North where the Vendor purchased the car in February 2018 from a local Manchester area dealer.

Driven selectively by its current owner, this SL has only covered an average of 2,250 miles over the last 4 years of ownership. It has however been serviced every year during his ownership, with the last service undertaken in December 2021.

There is a V5c registration document in the vendors name, it should be noted however that the current registration number is being retained therefore the Mercedes will revert back to its previous 2002 registration number.

The current Mot certificate expires at the end of August 2022, there is also various Mercedes handbooks, service book manuals etc.

Also, to go with the car is a history file consisting of receipts for parts & work carried out over the years, along with old MoT certificates. Examples of the level of work carried out are as follows:

• New Accelerator Pedal Unit
• New Sensotronic Brake Control Unit
• New brake fluid
• New Mercedes SAM unit
• New supply control unit for offside head lamp
• New supply ballast module
• New central locking PSE pump
• New Sat nav antenna

Graphite Grey leather clothes the spacious interior, with matching grey carpets which are covered in the footwells with fitted mats.

Sat Nav, air conditioning, cruise control are all there along with a decent entertainment system, and heated electric seats which also include a massage function to keep you comfortable on those long drives. Both seats are in good condition as the photos will show, there is a little discolouration to the leather on the drivers seat side support, but this is very common and easily rectified.

All features we’re told work as expected & there is very little to any of the function buttons throughout the dashboard.

There is a leather covered pop up roll bar which when the roof is down, can be raised or lowered electronically to suit all tastes.

Overall, an interior which is in great shape throughout.

This SL55 is finished in metallic Obsidian Black with just a few touches of chrome to show things off.

Paintwork has recently been treated to a professional paint correction process to remove surface swirls and finished off with a Titan Ceramic coating to give it a wow factor.

Certainly, the paint work really shows a deep shine, sets the car off nicely and we’re told allows the rain to form droplets and just run off better than a good wax. Whats more is that is should last for up to 7 years without further applications.

Being black however, there are a few small visible stone chips on the bonnet and a little on both sides of the car. There is also a small scratch on the boot, extending to a chip on the rear high level brake light, see photo.

Wheels are all shod with matching Pirelli Zero tyres and have recently been re-furbished.  They are original AMG Turbine pattern which would we believe have come with the car when new. 

There is one small scrape on the drivers side front rim, much to the frustration of the fastidious owner.

Well, this Merc has been very well looked after as this service history & invoices show, it really has wanted for nothing, certainly during the 4 years in current ownership.

It fires up immediately, and quickly settles into a quiet tick over.

The SL sounded gorgeous when just being moved around for photos, so it must sound absolutely fabulous through those 4 AMG sports exhaust pipes when given a loose rein on an open road with the roof down ! 

Photos of receipts will show the recent works carried out but suffice to say that if it needed to be done it has been done.

So mechanically, it’s had a pampered existence and certainly doesn’t show any signs of ageing just yet.

Convertible motoring with a thumping great supercharged motor under the bonnet, what’s not to like.

The best of both worlds, with hard top quietness but open topped summer fun & combined with Mercedes legendary build quality and reliability, these SLs just about have it all….. until you meet the SL55 AMG, which really does tick all the right boxes.

Time for some 469 BHP AMG powered adventures this summer!