When the R107 was launched as the successor to the W113 Pagoda SL in 1971, few – including Mercedes themselves – would have suspected that the new model would last until 1989. Yet the longer the car stayed in the range, the more popular it became. Production peaked in its 15th year and in total more than 237,000 were made, with 156,000 of those sold into the US market. The 300SL replaced the previous 280SL model in September 1985. 

Post-1985 (third-generation) R107s are particularly sought-after, featuring the late-run upgrades: improved suspension and added body strengthening, plus the chin spoiler. In essence, though, the R107 shape remained largely the same from its introduction in 1971 until the end of production in 1989. 

Combining glamorous looks, practicality and reliability with the thrills of top-down motoring, it’s perhaps no surprise that the R107 survived in the Mercedes line-up for as long as it did. Numerous appearances in 1980s US TV dramas (Dallas, Hart to Hart, The Six Million Dollar Man, The Rockford Files) have undoubtedly helped secure the model’s iconic status and desirability.

B7 RFG was first registered in January 1988, and the cherished plate will be included in the sale of this wonderful Mercedes. The V5 is present and shows only three keepers since new. The current owner understands that the car has been garaged throughout its life – and the car’s condition would certainly seem to back up this assertion. 

A year into its life, it was fitted with a powered hood mechanism – an expensive (£5500 in 1989!) upgrade which still operates well.

The car comes with a big file of paperwork, including a lot of receipts and previous MoT certificates, its current MOT is valid until November 2022.  

There is the original owner’s manual, a manual for the powered roof mechanism and the instruction book for the radio – all in the original dealer folder. The service booklet has all the necessary stamps and corresponding mileages to authenticate the car’s odometer reading. 

The vendor also confirms that the private number plate, B7 RFG, is also included in the sale.

The car looks stunning in its Signal Red paintwork, and the condition of this is testament to its cosseted life. Closer inspection reveals a few minor blemishes: there’s a small rust blister on the front of the bonnet, and a couple of small stone-chips have been touched in. There’s a slight mark in the paint on the rear of the boot lid, and a very slight colour mismatch on the top of the offside rear wing suggests that this has been repainted at some point.  These are minor problems, though: overall the car looks fantastic. 

The brightwork, bumpers and badges all look good, and although the rubber strip on the trim is starting to show signs of its age it’s all intact and not perished. All four wheels are in excellent condition, and the tyres have plenty of life left in them.

The soft-top is original and is in pretty good condition but has evidence of a couple of neat repairs – see pictures. The powered mechanism for raising and lowering the soft-top works well, and the compartment into which the soft-top folds (a notorious rust-spot) is unmarked. Also supplied is a hard-top that has been stored separately and appears never to have been used – it looks as-new.

Open the doors, and again the care that has been lavished on this car becomes immediately apparent: The ivory full leather, carpets etc all in amazing condition.
The front seats show few signs of wear and the rear seats look to have never been used. Both door panels are superb, and the kick-plates have very few marks or scratches. The carpets are clean, with very little wear, and those in the front footwell have been protected by Mercedes-branded mats, presumably original. 

The dashboard, switchgear and dials all look to be in excellent condition and everything seems to work as it should. The car has electric windows, heated front seats, a fitted fire extinguisher and an original Blaupunkt radio which the vendor has just had refurbished. It all makes for a smart and comfortable driving environment, and to drive this car, top-down, on a sunny summer’s day, would be a supreme driving experience.

The only negative we could find in the interior is that the sleeve into which the handbrake lever sits has started to crack around the edges.

In the boot, the lining is unmarked and underneath this is a spare wheel and tyre in good order. There’s also an original first-aid kit. Under the spare wheel, the boot floor shows no evidence of rust and looks clean and tidy. 

The car starts on first turn of the key, and the engine sounds lovely. The auto ‘box slots readily into gear and the car pulls away smoothly and quietly. Under the bonnet, everything is remarkably clean and tidy for a car that’s more than thirty years old.  The car has been fitted with a modern battery and everything electrical seems to work properly. 

Under the car, all looks clean and tidy, the exhaust looks recent and there are no signs of rust or of leaks. 

The R107 has a reputation as a safe and reliable luxury two-seater; it’s a car that was built to high standards. With good late R107s increasingly hard to find, B7 RFG is clearly an example has been carefully stored, looked after and cherished throughout its life. The paintwork is excellent and the interior shows almost no sign of its age. It runs beautifully. 

If you want a sound and stylish sports car the R107 has to be high on the list of candidates, and there can’t be many better than this one on the market.