1988 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL

While the V8 versions of the SL perhaps offer some kudos, in some ways the 3-litre straight six engine is more in the spirit of the SL – certainly historically speaking – and sports cars in general. It certainly doesn’t lose out to the small capacity V8s in the power stakes, and it has a cracking exhaust note too. On top of this, it’s much lighter than the earlier iron block V8s.

Later six pots, such as this one, also offer far better fuel economy than the larger engine variants, which can be pretty crippling to run. This car uses no more fuel than the average MGB, yet wafts you along in considerably more style and comfort.

All SLs came with a folding soft top and a removable hard top, which you can fit as autumn approaches winter, so this really is a classic car you can use all year round.

With a inline-six whose reputation for smoothness is only equalled by its unburstable build quality, a perfectly proportioned interior, and that iconic silhouette, it’s easy to see why so many of these rolled off the production lines. 

The R107 is elegant, timeless, and gathering in popularity as the years pass. This example is in superb order, with a good stock of paperwork, a cracking colour combination and – crucially – the all-important factory hard top.

The Smoke Silver paintwork on this SL looks original to us, and it’s hard to find anything to detract from the superb overall presentation. We can’t spot any major faults to the exterior finish, with no bubbling, no corrosion – barely even a stone chip. There are some tiny marks in the rubber on the right side of the front bumper, but you have to stare hard to spot them.

The matching flat-face alloys are also in lovely condition, as are both the hard and soft tops. This is a very well-kept 300SL, which is not a great surprise considering it’s only covered 56,500 miles in its 36 years. It’s clearly led a cossetted life.

All the brightwork is exactly that – bright and shiny, with no tarnishing. The overall impression is of a car that’s been very well looked after, and the current owner has kept it in a humidity controlled heated garage, which bears this out.

This is a cracking looking cabin, and at this low mileage is almost certainly all original too. The soft MB Tex vinyl and plush blue plaid, accented with walnut panels was a combo that felt perfectly traditional while standing out amongst its contemporaries. 

The deep blue vinyl is all in excellent order – if there’s any wear or damage we can’t spot it – with everything from the seats to the dash and door cards looking immaculate. This could easily be a  three year old interior, let alone one pushing 40.

The walnut accented dash and centre console are also entirely original from what we can see, and are in equally fine shape.

The lovely condition continues into the carpets, which show some light signs of wear but still display well without any major damage we can spot. The instruments are bright, clear, and easy to read, and the owner reports that everything works as it should, including the cruise control – not something that was common on cars in 1988, although we do note that the heater fan does not seem to work. 

At first glance you could be forgiven for thinking the original stereo is still nestled comfortably in the dashboard, too, but in actual fact it’s a retro styled Blaupunkt DAB unit with Bluetooth capability. 

The car’s underside looks solid and free from fluid leaks. The 3-litre, six-cylinder engine runs as smoothly as you’d expect, given its little mileage, and the owner reports that the four-speed automatic transmission works perfectly.

The engine bay is very clean and original looking, and in remarkable condition for an unrestored car.  The car has been very well looked after, as you can see from the documents section of this listing, and has also been extensively treated with wax-based anti-rust fluid.

The car comes with a very extensive paperwork file, documenting a history of mechanical maintenance, with invoices going back many years and a well-stamped service history booklet. Paperwork pertaining to the rust treatment is also included, and the car’s current owner is just its fifth from new. 

Original handbooks and manuals also come with the SL, and there’s a large A4 lever arch file of history with the car. The current owner says:

‘I bought the car as it was a childhood favourite of mine, but then I broke my leg and couldn’t drive it, so I kept the car in storage. I have now bought a McLaren, my leg’s better and I don’t have the space for the SL anymore. 

‘The Mercedes has had a new Blaupunkt DAB retro stereo fitted, plus new speakers and a subwoofer under the passenger seat at a cost of £1500. The car has wanted for nothing, it’s just that I don’t use it. But it is lovely and makes you smile every time you drive it. 

‘It was last serviced by Auto Barn in February 2023 – a Mercedes A service. The car has been placed on SORN, and is MoT’d until the end of June this year, although it’s done very few miles since the last test. 

‘I’ve kept the SL in humidity controlled dry storage since I bought it, and only used it in dry weather, with occasional showers (good old British summers). 

'The roof stand and roof cover are with car, there are two sets of keys, and it had a full valet in October 2023, and was only used once in January this year since then.’ 

The R107 is a handsome, luxurious and solidly engineered car that's only growing more popular, and we’re confident that this one is in excellent order. It’s also an arresting colour combination which, together with the extensive history file, superb condition and very low mileage, makes it a hugely desirable example of the breed. We estimate that it will sell for £30,000-£35,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.