1977 Mercedes Benz 350SL (R107) |

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1977 Mercedes Benz 350SL (R107)

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Mileage~135,479 on the clock
TransmissionAutomatic
Engine3.5L
LocationGloucester

AUCTION CLOSED

1977 Mercedes Benz 350SL (R107)

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Introduction

Darren Rungasamy

Editor and Photographer

Even today, no other car quite matches the SL's reputation as the ultimate luxury status symbol of the '70s and '80s.

When the Mercedes-Benz R107 350 SL made its grand debut in the spring of 1971, it faced a seemingly impossible task: replacing the legendary Pagoda SL. While Mercedes may have traded raw agility for increased weight and luxury, the process ultimately created a new benchmark in high-end motoring for a well-to-do clientele.

Spanning an astonishing 18-year production run, the R107 generation defined an entire era of open-top luxury, effortlessly balancing world-class engineering with unmatched elite status. As the ultimate Grand Tourer, it offered the dual personality that modern enthusiasts still crave: a sophisticated, daily-drivable V8 luxury cruiser capable of crossing continents without breaking a sweat. Designed with safety in mind, it incorporated state-of-the-art features to protect occupants alongside driver ergonomics that became an industry standard.

This 1977 automatic 350 SL is smartly finished in red with a black hardtop, complemented by a tidy cream-beige coloured plaid cloth interior. It has been cherished by the same owner for the past 23 years, during which time the bodywork has received continuous attention. While it is perfectly usable and ready to enjoy immediately, it has plenty of potential to add value and would benefit from some further care to bring it up to tip-top condition. The car is sold with a long MOT, running until October 2026.

This listing was written from information supplied by Darren after meeting John the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

The prospect of open-top V8 motoring made it the perfect choice for an occasional weekend cruiser.

A confessed enthusiast of V8 engines, John was seduced by the car's silky-smooth power delivery. For him, the appeal of open-top motoring transforms every drive into a dynamic adventure, making the driver feel fully connected to the road and the surrounding scenery.

After 23 years of ownership, John has decided it is finally time to sell the car as he is currently in the process of relocating and won't be able to store it inside. John is happy to answer any questions about the car in the comments section below.

John

Vehicle Owner

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Exterior
Interior
Mechanics
History
All Images

EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

A solid, honest classic offering excellent potential for a rewarding project.

Wheels and Tyres

The 14" 6J Fuch Barock Bundt wheels are in good condition and have no damage on the rims.

The front and rear of the car are fitted with white-wall Hankook Optimo H725 tyres showing a spec of 205/70 - these are date-coded from 2010. They have decent tread with no notable wear.

Please take time to review the photos and videos for a detailed view of the exterior, wheels, and tyres so you can make your own assessment of their condition. Tyres are a key safety item, and you should consider replacing any that are cracked, perished, unevenly worn, or over 10 years old.

Bodywork

The exterior looks good overall, with no major dents aside from a fixable flaw on the driver’s door. There are some signs of ageing on the lower sections of the car, most notably on the front and rear valances, the lowest edge of the nearside front wheel arch lip, and the inside of the passenger door.

We were unable to check the condition of the soft top storage well. While the body panels generally fit well and sit flush with the rest of the car, the alignment of both the boot and the bonnet is slightly uneven. The passenger doors open and close smoothly, though the rubber seals are showing their age.

The underside of the car has been heavily treated with underseal, and there is evidence of past welding repairs on both the chassis rails and the inner wheel wells. Corrosion is present on the underside of the floor pan where it joins the lower footwells, which is most severe on the driver-side rear section.

There is also rust in the rear passenger footwell and at the base of the driver’s door on that same side. However, the inside of the spare wheel well in the boot is solid, and the remaining passenger footwells appear to be in good condition. The engine bay appears solid overall, though a previous repair was noted in the front offside corner. There are also minor signs of corrosion on the tops of the inner wings where they meet the outer wings.

We've highlighted in more detail our observations through our high-resolution images and videos, so please take time to look through all the media files for a detailed view of what’s on offer, and for you to assess the condition of the car for yourselves.

Paint

The Signal red paint is in decent condition, presenting a smooth and consistent finish that shows some light swirling when viewed in direct sunlight. There are a few surface marks, most notably a small spot of corrosion on the bonnet near the grille, as well as light bubbling on the boot lid, the passenger door, and the nearside front wing near the wheel arch.

The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there for yourselves. So please take the time to fully assess these high-resolution images and videos of the car, for you to make up your own minds about the condition of the paint.

Glass and Trim

The glass is in good condition, and the headlights are free of any issues. While the rear offside lens has a crack, the rest of the lights are in good shape.

The chrome trim is securely mounted to the body, showing only minor signs of age in a few places. The bumpers sit flush against the car, though the front bumper has corrosion on its underside and shows signs of previous repairs on both ends. The rubber trim is generally in good condition, with just a few minor marks and a scuff on the offside rear corner bumper.

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INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

High-quality materials and gentle use ensure the cabin remains in excellent, highly presentable condition.

Seats and Carpets

The creme-beige coloured plaid cloth seats are in good condition, far exceeding expectations for a car of this age.

The carpets are complete throughout, though they do show wear in the front footwells. Reassuringly, there were no signs of dampness detected anywhere in the cabin.

Dashboard

The dashboard is generally in good condition, aside from a minor crack near the instrument binnacle. The facia, controls, and dials are all in keeping with the age of the car and show no significant damage. John noted that the instrument binnacle backlight is currently not working.

All of the interior controls are reported to be working, with the sole exception of the passenger-side electric window switch. There is some mild wear visible on the centre console. The hardtop headlining is tidy, and the rear trim is presentable despite showing a bit of wear.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The steering wheel and gear lever are in keeping with the interior, and are free of significant damage.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

The 350 SL expertly blended robust V8 performance with highly precise mechanical engineering.

Engine and Gearbox

The engine fires up instantly during the cold start process with the help of the choke, running smoothly and without excessive vibrations or noises. Upon turning the key, the ignition warning lights went out immediately, and there were no unusual exhaust fumes. The car idles evenly without sputtering, and no fluid leaks were noted during our visit.

The engine looks good overall, showing only age-related wear on certain components, while the ancillaries and hoses appear to be in good condition.

The automatic gearbox functions correctly; the kickdown operates smoothly, and while there is some mild jerkiness, it is nothing out of the ordinary for a car of this vintage.

Suspension and Brakes

The car rides evenly, with no significant noises coming from the suspension. The ride was smooth and completely free of vibrations.

The brakes perform well without any notable problems. They show no signs of squealing or shuddering, and the car pulls up straight without veering to either side when slowing down.

The Drive

The robust M116 3.5-litre V8 engine holds a highly admired position in the Mercedes-Benz line-up, suiting the SL perfectly with its muscular, pure growl and punchy power delivery. Because it is lighter and offers a more analogue driving experience than larger Mercedes engines, it adds a genuinely mechanical, raw appeal to the car.

Characterised by a smooth V8 engine burble and a pillowy-soft, floaty ride, the 350 SL is incredibly manageable to drive thanks to its power steering, which operates without any strain or creaking. The impressive low-end torque pairs perfectly with the three-speed automatic transmission.

Equipped with the advanced Bosch D-Jetronic electronic multipoint fuel injection system, the car delivers an instantaneous, purely analogue throttle response - which should also help manage the occasional hot-start issue the car experienced. The engine pulls strongly, proves surprisingly revvy, and shines brightest at cruising speeds.

The oil pressure sat at 45 PSI upon start-up and remained around this level while the car was in motion, dropping slightly as expected when idling. John has not reported any issues regarding the engine temperature or the oil pressure.

Electrics and Other

The car does have cruise control fitted, but it hasn't ever worked during John's ownership.

John has informed us that the soft top will need to be replaced, and we were unable to test the release mechanism.

The hardtop shows bubbling beneath the paint on the nearside C-pillar, and there are signs of age on the front edge of the roof panel where it meets the windscreen, along with a few surface marks elsewhere. The hardtop has a small crack in the bottom offside corner of the rear screen as well as some lamination damage.

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History and Paperwork

Sparingly used in recent years, yet continuously maintained with a regular MOT history.

First registered in the UK in April 1977, the car was last serviced approximately 1,000 miles ago. John originally purchased it from a dealer who had taken it in as a part-exchange. Stored indoors until recently, John acquired the car in 2003 and has periodically taken it to a body shop and mechanic, setting a budget to resolve any outstanding issues over the years.

The car is road tax and MOT exempt due to its age, but John has consistently taken it for regular inspections, and it currently holds a valid MOT until October 2026.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a history check on the vehicle - this is a professional check operated by HPI that will highlight if the car has been previously stolen, recorded as being in an accident, or have any outstanding finance - note, this does not include a mileage history check.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment of the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bids, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Service History

Date	Type	Mileage
13-10-2025	MOT	135,165
31-07-2024	MOT	134,685
30-06-2023	MOT	134,658
01-07-2022	MOT	134,621
13-04-2021	Independent Service
10-12-2020	MOT	134,446
28-08-2019	MOT	134,436
20-04-2016	MOT	134,407
25-07-2014	MOT	133,981
31-07-2012	MOT	133,957
10-06-2011	MOT	133,949
25-09-2009	MOT	133,948
23-08-2006	MOT	132,810

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Key Details

Year1977
Model350SL (R107)
Transmission3-speed automatic
Reg. Date19-04-1977
CC3499
Mileage~135,479 on the clock
ColourSignal Red
Interior ColourCream Beige
Interior TrimCloth
Chassis #WDB10704322012844
Engine #11698422001122
Last Service13-04-2021
RestoredUndocumented paint
MOT12-10-2026
MOT ExemptYes
Road Tax ExemptYes
HPi ClearYes - all clear
Former Keepers6
Tyre BrandHankook
Tyre Age2010
LHD or RHDRHD
VisitedYes
Sale TypePrivate
Owned23 Years
Key FeatureLong term ownership
Vehicle RegistrationTNR 835R
Fuel TypePetrol
Body Type2 door Convertible
Auction ID3818

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Vehicle Location

Gloucester

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Auction Closed

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This car didn't meet its reserve price and may soon be available as a private sale - please contact us for more information or let us know if you want to be notified when a similar car comes to market.

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Seller : JohnMR107

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6 Comments

Thediggerman

3 days ago

Sorry another question, looks like you had loads of welding done 3 years after you brought it ? Did you have it resprayed at the same time ? Was it originally red or another colour ?
Why haven’t you driven it in the last 20 years? The mileage has barely moved .

JohnMR107

Seller

Thediggerman

2 days ago

Hi, I had a “restoration” carried out not long after acquisition. I subsequently discovered another body shop, a husband and wife team. The car would, for several years, go to them in the autumn as a “back of the garage” job and come out in the spring. During this period quite a lot of high quality work was carried out including, if memory serves, new wings and paint as required. The car is in its original colour. I initially used the car quite frequently but in more recent years not so much hence reason for sale.

Thediggerman

6 days ago

Hi
What condition is the soft top in ? Any holes or tears ? Is the rear screen clear or opaque?
Thanks
Richard

JohnMR107

Seller

Thediggerman

6 days ago

Hi Richard. The hard top has been on for several years now so I cannot give you an accurate answer. In my opinion the hood will need to be replaced, as I believe is stated in the ad.

Thediggerman

JohnMR107

4 days ago

Ok thanks , the old hood and frame are definitely in there though ?

JohnMR107

Seller

Thediggerman

4 days ago

Yes they are.

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Vehicle Location

Gloucester

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