1983 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL (R107) |

Closed Auction- Unsold

1983 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL (R107)

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Mileage~8,260 km on Clock
TransmissionAutomatic
Engine2.8-litre
LocationStockbridge, Hampshire

AUCTION CLOSED

1983 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL (R107)

Introduction

Darren Rungasamy

Automotive Editor, Photographer and Consigner

The Mercedes 280SL is a perfect all-round modern-classic roadster.

After the sporting models laid the groundwork for the famous SL moniker in the 1950s, Mercedes capitalised on the demands for comfort and cruising with their long-lived R107 series. Over its 18-year production run, it went on to become their best-selling SL, selling over a quarter of a million cars in the process. Despite being closely aligned to its ’Sports Light’ heritage, the straight-six version was often overshadowed by the V8 models, every R107 retains the same engineering finesse and quality.

Despite the car's long production run, Mercedes regularly kept the car updated. The 1980 refresh of the range included wax cavity injection, ABS anti-lock brake system and a raft of technical improvements. A car with a universal appeal, the SL still feels special today, which is one of the main reasons it continues to resonate with buyers.

This 1983 280 SL with an automatic gearbox is finished in Astral Silver and comes with a full grey leather interior along with the desirable rear seat option.

It's sold with a factory hardtop William bought the car in Singapore in 1999 and imported it to the UK 2001 when he relocated it shows 8,260 km on the odometer, but it does have little paperwork in it's early years to support this. The SL has only driven 2,600 km in the last 22 years since being in the UK.

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

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

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

I've not had to spend much money on the car over the years, such is its durability.

The car has seen periods of storage over the years, with any issues flagged in the MOTs being addressed. Other than that, William, the owner for the last 22 years, has told us that he has not needed to spend much on the car in terms of mechanical maladies.

William has decided to sell the 280SL as he doesn't drive it often and he will be happy to answer any questions in the comment section below.

William

Vehicle Owner

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Exterior
Interior
Mechanics
History
All Images

EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

With its timeless silver colourway, this 320SL harks back to Mercedes' racing heritage.

Wheels and Tyres

The 15” ‘Alamak’ alloy wheels appear to be from a later SL, they have signs of age with a little rim damage noted on the nearside front wheel.

The front tyres are fitted with Goodyears and the rears are shod with Pirellis. All have legal tread.

Bodywork

The overall presentation of the body is positive, with the structure, floor pan, engine bay, boot floor and wheel wells all appearing to be solid. The exterior displays a good panel fit and equal door shut lines. The doors open and close with a reassuring quality and appear to have good seals.

There were no discernible signs of corrosion observed on the body other than a little section on the off-side wing where the trim has worked loose and left a mark on the lower section of the passenger door.

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 Astral Silver paint has a good lustre with minimal swirling. There is evidence of a respray, with telltale signs noted on the A-pillars and the tops of the wings.

There are just a few under-paint issues, mostly spotted on the rear wings and arches.

The lower front valance and door edges show signs of age but overall the colour is evenly matched and modernises the lines of the R107 well.

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 shape, with no signs of lamination damage or significant marks. The chrome elements of the trim are generally good, with no outstanding signs of age.

The off-side front wing trim is loose, the front grill emblem is slightly damaged and there are minor scuffs noted on the front bumper rubber and lower intake.

The lights and lenses are all in good condition.

VIEW ALL

INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

Lavishly finished in leather, the cabin has lasted well.

Seats and Carpets

The car is trimmed with leather seats. Aside from a little light wear on the driver's side bolster, all of the seating including the desirable factory option rear seat is in very good condition.

The carpets are in good shape, with no signs of dampness.

The front footwells are fitted with double mats and the boot appeared to be free of water ingress.

Dashboard

The dashboard is neatly presented, with a couple of tell-tale signs of the age of the car, with just a minor fracture on the dashboard padding near the binnacle.

The fabric seal of the dashboard to bulkhead too shows signs of age. Otherwise, the dials and controls are in very good order, with the veneer and leather displaying well.

William confirms all of the functions work and the car has been fitted with a Sony multi-CD changer.

The trim is in decent shape, with the leather door cards free of scuffs and no issues on the headlining - just a mark was noted on the rear side panel, close to where the hood release handle is located.

The handbrake gaiter is made from leather, rather than the usual brittle plastic item.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The steering wheel and gear lever are in very good condition, with no issues to note.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

The straight-six engine is reassuringly durable and pulls very sweetly.

Engine and Gearbox

The cold start did not pose any issues, with the engine dashboard warning lights remaining off as the engine smoothly idled. There were no signs of uneven running or misfiring from the engine. Other than the usual exhaust condensation there was no smoke.

The engine is honestly presented, with the hoses and ancillaries looking fit for purpose.

The gearbox selects drives without any issues, the kick-down works well with minimal delay upon acceleration.

Suspension and Brakes

The ride was smooth with no suggestions of knocking noises from the wheels, the steering remained true upon braking with no vibrations noted.

The brakes stopped the car effectively with no vibrations or squeals.

The Drive

The appeal of the R107 is in the engineering, while never considered a sports car it carries its tasks out with confidence and a feeling of reassurance. This is very evident by the way the car drives, with the engine sounding smooth with no unwanted noises.

One of the reassuring traits of the R107 is the floaty, smooth ride and this example seemed to retain those virtues during our 10-minute journey. The Bosch-injected 185bhp straight-six twin-cam has enough urge to make decent progress when pushed, with no issues flagged up in terms of its oil pressure or engine temperature.

The ride was absorbent and steering precise, we didn't notice any rattles.

Electrics and Other

The soft-top is in very good condition and proved to be straightforward to lower and raise, with the lock mechanism and frame appearing to have been well-maintained.

The car is also comes with a body-coloured factory hardtop, it's in good condition with a few age-related marks noted on the outer leading edge.

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History and Paperwork

Covering fewer than 3,000 km over the last 22 years, it has seen regular MOTs regardless.

Believed to have been ordered new for a customer in Singapore in 1983, William purchased the car in 1999 whilst in Singapore and imported the car to the UK when he relocated in 2001. It has been stored in a secure damp-free garage ever since and has only covered less than 3,000 km over that period.

It has seen 9 MOTs over that period. There is an invoice in 2015 which suggests welding and a service. It comes with an MOT to April 2024 and its owner's handbook.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned an HPI check on the vehicle.

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 bid/s, 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
28-04-2023	MOT	8,241 km
13-08-2021	MOT	8,095 km
22-05-2018	MOT	7,765 km
15-05-2017	MOT	7,602 km
25-05-2016	MOT	7,502 km
14-05-2015	MOT	7,490 km
04-06-2014	MOT	7,536 km
26-07-2010	MOT	7,097 km
05-08-2009	MOT	7,077 km
14-12-2001	MOT	5,615 km