Introduction
Darren Rungasamy
The Mercedes 300 SL is the definitive blend of classic elegance and bulletproof German engineering.
Long established as an open-top icon, the R107-generation Mercedes-Benz SL reigned over two decades of luxury motoring. Designed as a robust personal car for discerning owners, it seamlessly blended traditional Mercedes-Benz virtues of safety, build quality, and comfort to become a timeless icon. By the 1980s, a series of pivotal updates transformed its appeal, solidifying its status as the definitive cruiser for the affluent driver.
These post-1985 models introduced galvanised bodywork, ABS, improved suspension and braking systems. At the heart of this evolution was the new 3.0-litre straight-six engine, which offered a level of substance and refinement that enhanced its understated elegance. Today, the R107 remains the premier choice for those seeking a stately, upmarket classic that delivers a confident driving experience, excellent ergonomics, and genuine practicality, with a healthy parts network.
This beautifully presented 1986 300 SL has had just four owners from new, with the current custodian acquiring the vehicle in 2009. Finished in vibrant 'Signal Red' with a black MB-Tex interior, it is complete with its factory hardtop and optional rear seats. The car boasts an impressive provenance, including a continuous file of invoices dating back to 1997 and over £7,600 in investment since 2015. While the milometer shows 210,502 miles, the car drives with a precision that confirms the M103 engine’s reputation for over-engineered longevity. Sold with an MOT valid until March 2027, this SL will become eligible for historic road tax and MOT exemption in June 2026 and is accompanied by its full owner’s wallet and two sets of keys.
This listing was written from information supplied by Darren after meeting Alan the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.
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I'M INTERESTEDAsk Questions
Hi marksb
As far as I am aware the l/h switch is the blower switch and the r/h switch is the temperature switch.
I only use the car with the roof down in the summer and put the soft top up to store it in the winter so I have not really been concerned about the air conditioning but I’m sure it is not fitted, but if it is it must be assumed that it is not working
Kind regards
Alan
Isn’t the right hand rotary wheel the a/c control? Most other R107s don’t have it.
Hi marks
The car is not fitted with air conditioning I think the switch/wheel you can see just below the radio is in fact the Headlamp Beam Hight Adjustment control wheel
Kind regards
Alan
Hi Alan,
The car appears to have been fitted with air conditioning. Is it working?
Thanks,
Mark.
Hi, car looks a credit to you. Am I right to say you’ve had the car since circa 2009 – so only put around 6000 miles on it in 17 years? Was the respray done during your ownership? Would the ‘general corrosion’ mentioned in MOTs have been attended to at that time? Regards, Dav
Hi Dav
Yes I have had the car since 2009 I purchased the car from a friend when he was posed abroad he had owned the car for five years and had driven it daily. I bought it as retirement project although it was up together it needed a little tiding up.
Yes it’s only done 6000 miles in my ownership I’m afraid I enjoy working on it and cleaning it more than driving it.
The respray was carried out in my ownership The car had a little rust over the o/s headlight (new wing) the door door sills were a bit crusty with several coats of chip paint ( two new door silsl) bottoms of the doors small holes (two very good second hand doors striped and bead blaster) but the thing that annoyed me most was the micro blistering from a previous restoration so I had the cars paint chemicals striped and resprayed.
The general corrosion was just the underside wear it was dry stored and not used much so the garage cleaned and the sprayed it with some special under seal
Hi, thanks for the note – much appreciated. Your friend did not too many miles too! I do understand spending more time cleaning and fettling vs actually driving. Whilst I don’t have your mechanical knowledge/experience — I’ve done plenty of cleaning (and not driving!).
Thanks for clarifying re. paintwork / corrosion etc. I’m assuming you wouldn’t have gone to that trouble (to retrim/respray) unless the car itself wasn’t worth the trouble (ie. solid & mechanically sound).
In a previous life — I had a 450SLC of a slightly earlier vintage (but very similar) – so aware the engine (if looked after is bullet-proof). The high miles give a wee bit of pause – but there’s a level of reassurance that unless it was ‘right’ – you wouldn’t have held on to it for so long.
Is there an alarm on the car? There is a remote pod in the keys pic?
I’d be right to say there’s no hard-top?
Who are you insured with? What value does insurance place on it?
Regards, Davinder
Hi Davinder
Thank you for your kind comments I had lotus elan before but I wanted something that was solidly built be before I put a lot of time and effort into it. My friend thought that the car had some sort of restoration before he had had it, probably work on the engine as the emissions are too good for an engine that has done over 200,000 miles also when the paint was stripped there was a filler repair to n/s/r wheel arch which I had cut out and a new wheel arch repair section from the SL shop welded back in. There is no alarm. There is a hard top with stand and cover. there are pictures on the web site.
I am insured with Classic Line
Hope this helps
Regards
Alan
Hi, thanks again for the insights — plenty to chew over! Apologies re. hardtop query — really not sure how I missed those pics! Can you send me your postcode — so I can cost a delivery. The indicative cost in the Delivery Calculator is mildly harrowing — although I appreciate there is a bit of distance between us!
If you were keeping the car — are there any upcoming jobs (even cosmetic) that you’d be attending to))?
Regards, Davinder
One last query — what fuel is it running on. Do you need to add any additives to deal with modern petrol?
Hi Divinder
As you are aware I don’t do a lot of miles in the car unfortunately after covid I had a problem with stale petrol which is the reason for the new fuel pump, so now in September I put 25 litres of special storage fuel (it lasts for 3 years) in the car and then in the spring I just use normal fuel.
The only job that is still out standing is the small paint bubble by the drivers door and you hardly notice it so I probably would wait until there were other jobs and have them do together. The post code is SO20 8EJ
Regards
Alan
Thanks very much! ‘Storage Fuel’ — every day is a school day! Will put best foot forward (get insurance / transporter costs). I thought you were in ‘Stockbridge’ in Edinburgh! Doh! : o
Vehicle Location
Middle Wallop, Stockbridge
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