1986 Mercedes 300SL

With just six previous keepers, ‘D85 ELJ’ has been in the seller’s care since he bought it in January 2025 from a friend who’s thinning his extensive collection.

Attracted by its condition, as well as the 22 stamps in the service history book and 132,000 miles on the odometer, this Nautical Blue Mercedes-Benz 300SL came to him straight out of dry storage, where it had been for a decade, the last MoT having expired in March 2015.

Now freshly recommissioned, a job that was done so well it gained a first-time MoT pass with no advisories, this genuine UK-spec car – option codes 461 and 613 refer, for an MPH speedometer and RHD headlamps respectively – is being offered with no reserve, making it the ideal candidate for further improvement ahead of the long, hot summer we’re all looking forward to.

Finished in Nautical Blue (paint code 929) with the “744 FOLDING TOP FABRIC DARK BLUE” (heh, we aren’t shouting, M-B is), the 300SL looks good as you walk up to it; subtle metallics suit the R107’s timeless and elegant lines well, and this is an unusually attractive hue.

Closer inspection reveals good shutlines and panel alignment plus the presence of four new and matching 205/70R15 Kumho Crugen tyres. Fitted in 2025, we will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly.

Three out of the four alloy wheels are in a decent condition, with only the offside front having sustained a chip.

The lamp lenses are all bright and free of obvious scratches, chips, and sun-damage too. The badges are also nice and shiny, as is the chromework, which suffers from little more than modest tarnishing and pitting.

It comes with a hard-top too, which is finished in the same colour as the rest of the coachwork. Its presence is a real boon and means you could use the SL all year around, no matter what the weather.

And yet, the recent lay-up hasn’t left the SL unscathed, and we’ve identified the following issues:

The bonnet is chipped and scratched in multiple places. It is also faded in the middle and has rust bubbles around the offside washer jet. There is also corrosion on both front wings, the rear panel between the cabin and the boot, and the panel behind the rear bumper.

The paintwork has been refreshed in places, including along the flanks, and the colour-matching varies in its success. There is also overspray on the hard-top, as well as white paint on the rear bumper.

The boot lid has multiple scratches, as do the offside door, nearside sill, and front wing. The rubbers on the front bumpers are also scratched, and the front bumper itself is also chipped.

The dark blue fabric roof has suffered too, with both rear corners having sustained damage. It’s also heavily stained, inside and out, and has extensive mildew on it, so budgeting for a new one would be prudent.

Finally, the nearside chrome trim doesn’t fit very well, the black rubber boot spoiler has hardened and faded, and the nearside door has a dent in it.

The presence of the factory build sheet in the history file points to the presence of the following options: 583 electric windows; 592 heat-insulating glass; and 682 fire extinguisher, all of which is, of course, in addition to the usual leather ‘n’ wood that gave the cabin the upmarket air it needed to conquer the North American continent.

And the grey leather interior still holds something of its high-end lure, albeit with some general wear ‘n’ tear in addition to some actual flaws.

The latter includes cracks and lifting lacquer to some of the veneer, a non-functioning heater blower and rev counter, a softened driver’s seat base along with some loss of colour to its outer edge, four screw holes in the nearside of the centre console, rust on the nearside front floorpan, splits to the top of the dashboard, stained and saggy sunvisors, and a heavily stained and worn boot carpet.

Lifting the latter up also shows rust starting to break out in the wheel well, but by way of compensation the luggage area also holds a full-size spare alloy wheel, a tool roll filled with tools, the M-B jack, and a hazard warning triangle.

But, the cabin has good bones, and we think a few hours giving it a deep clean would reap dividends and allow you to see what is an age-related patina you could live with – and what might need more intensive work.

The stamped service history booklet records the following:

· 12.06.1986 – pre-delivery inspection by Caffyne of Dorchester

· 31.10.1986 and 1,374 miles – service by Woking Motors

· 17.07.1987 and 6,230 miles – service by Woking Motors

· 16.12.1987 and 9,017 miles – service by Woking Motors

· 22.11.1990 and 24,910 miles – service by Woking Motors

· 05.03.1991 and 29,191 miles – service by Woking Motors

· 01.07.1994 and 39,270 miles – service by Sunningdale Carriage Co Ltd

· 03.01.1995 and 43,067 miles – service by SMAC Continental

· 02.01.1996 and 49,354 miles – service by Steiner Automotive

· 10.07.1996 and 52,811 miles – service by Steiner Automotive

· 31.07.1997 and 56,759 miles – service by Steiner Automotive

· 02.07.1998 and 60,732 miles – service by Sloane Services

· 06.07.2000 and 66,271 miles – service by Prestige Car Repairs

· 01.11.2002 and 69,705 miles – service by Steiner Automotive

· 23.07.2003 and 78,541 miles – service by Tim Revett Prestige Motor Vehicle Servicing

· 09.12.2003 and 83,756 miles – service by Stewart & Wisbey

· 05.07.2004 and 91,745 miles – service by Stewart & Wisbey

· 22.01.2005 and 98,595 miles – service by Stewart & Wisbey

· 07.10.2005 and 103,511 miles – service by Derrick Wells

· 05.04.2007 and 111,758 miles – service by Derrick Wells

· 19.12.2007 and 115,490 miles – service by Derrick Wells

· 21.11.2008 and 118,045 miles – service by Derrick Wells

The recent recommissioning was done off the books by another friend of the seller’s, who was chosen because he’s a Mercedes-Benz specialist. There are, therefore, no receipts BUT the advisory-free MoT speaks volumes as to how well the work was done.

And, perhaps, how comprehensive: The seller recalls the fuel pump and distributor being replaced, along with the fuel lines but knows there must have been much more as he “spent thousands”, an investment he doesn’t begrudge as it now drives “exceptionally well”.

Option code 470 points to the presence of a factory-fitted anti-lock braking system (ABS) too, and the video shows the straight-six engine bursts into life with quiet enthusiasm. It also idles solidly, and revs smoothly with an attractive exhaust note and good oil pressure shown on the dashboard.

However, the engine bay is tired, and while the last MoT was issued with no advisories there is a little rust starting on the sills, so it would be worth going over the underside with a wire brush and some decent underseal to keep it solid.

The SL’s MoT certificate, which is valid until November 2026, was issued with no advisories.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and it comes with a V5 registration document, that well-stamped service history booklet, and plenty of old invoices and MoT certificates.

We’re huge fans of the R107 because they’re not only reliable and durable, they also offer all the classic thrills you’d expect of a convertible sportscar.

They’re relatively simple cars too, which makes them easy and cheap to service – and if the one you buy has a hardtop, they make great daily drivers that will fend off 21st century traffic and foul weather with equal ease.

And yet, despite their many advantages they’re still cheap, with this one estimated to sell for somewhere between £10,000 and £15,000.

However, the seller is just about to embark on some serious travelling, from which he may decide to emigrate, so he needs his Mercedes gone.

As in definitely gone.

He is, therefore, offering it with no reserve, so it’s going to sell no matter what: Pop in a bid, any bid, and if no-one beats it, then it is yours.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET HQ in South Oxfordshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays (apart from Bank Holidays) between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.