Description
Sadly up for sale is my 1971 R107 350SL (Series 1) coming from my private collection. Finished in the ever handsome Signal Red, with a two tone black / grey interior. This usable example is largely in stock form, save some enhancements which make it even more enjoyable to use. Contrasting with the Signal Red exterior colour, the original hubcaps and hardtop are finished in Black and in my opinion looks great. Very much helps this car stand out from the standard Red on Red that you see with many other R107.
To it's benefit, this lovely 53 year old classic holds Historic Vehicle status. This translates to £0 VED (Road Tax), MOT exemption and exemption from some clean air / ultra low / low emission zones. This makes this car pleasantly cheap to run and own when combined with a classic car insurance policy (usually sub £150 a year).
As previously mentioned, this classic SL has been improved by some light modifications. These include suspension improvements (H&R / SL Shop Sportline), a full steering overhaul (SL Shop Parts - left, right and central complete track rods, steering damper, steering idler bushes. This was done at the same time as the springs (H&R) and spring pads (mercedes parts). These improvements help to ensure that this R107 cruises down the road surely, with a positive handling and steering feel (as much as one can with an R107) as well as looking more pleasing with less of an arch gap. This car has also been fitted with a sympathetic, but high quality sound system. This consists of Audison speakers, a passive audison 10" subwoofer and a high spec kenwood head unit. As a result, this car has Bluetooth, CD, USB and more connectivity. Alongside much greater functionality such as time alignment, a 13 band EQ and more.
Recently the car has been fitted with a new pair of rear tyres, undertaken specialist 4 wheel alignment and has been serviced ready for its new owner.
History. Always important with a classic car. If you're looking at this advert and have made it this far, I will make the assumption that you are already au fait with the R107 SL. Arguably the most iconic mercedes model ever made, with one of the longest production runs. Adored by many as a result of its countless appearances in pop culture and special enough for a place in your classic car collection in any form. The R107 is a true icon. This R107 goes a little further. As mentioned this a 1971 R107 - this means it is a 'Series 1' R107, one of the first run of R107 ever made in the world, and one of the very first handful in the UK. This represents a very rare opportunity to get yourself a 'Series 1' R107 in usable condition. There really aren't many early R107 like this in the UK, never mind available for sale. The vast majority find themselves sat in collections, as most collectors tend to have the first and / or last of a model. Early R107 like this only came as a 3. 5 V8 350SL. No other variants were available until later down the line. This is also significant as this was the first SL to ever have a V8 engine, symbolising Mercedes move towards the USA market.
This SL has covered a well below average 187k miles. This is very acceptable for a classic mercedes which is easily capable of hundreds of thousands more miles! And of course for a 53 year old car. The car comes with some service records / receipts and other paperwork.
Condition. As mentioned a few times, I would consider this car to be very much usable condition. Starts and drives great. I've done hundreds of miles in a day at a time and put a great many smiles on people's faces - including my own. The car presents well for its age, but isn't perfect. Naturally, if striving for a mint / perfect R107, quadruple your budget, and add a fair amount more, and you may get somewhere close. If you're lucky. This car does have some little dings, scratches, patina etc. Most notably a scratch to the drivers rear quarter. Potentially this could be touched up and wetsanded if you're so inclined, or just repainted. And there are a few other areas of the car which show the age a little. Personally this doesn't bother me, and the car presents well to my eyes. The interior is complete, but does have some wear. The car comes with a wind deflector. The softtop is in good condition but does have some wind noise over 70/ 80mph and a slight gap above the windows, but isn't torn or damaged (likely just needs to be stored and clamped to tighten it all back up). The car also comes with the hardtop as per the photos and comes with the spanners of course too. Rust / underside. The car is generally again in good usable condition. There is some very light surface rust and a small patch that could do with repair on the drivers side jacking point (happy to provide photos of underneath), while I'm listing this down, do note, it is very minor, and the car is in very good state for its age in relation to rust. I really used the car well during summer and daily drove it during the good weather. As it currently stands, this car is away in dry storage for winter so viewings will need to be prearranged in advance. I would also request proof of funds in account upon arranging a viewing. The reason for this being that I will be taking the car out of dry store for you to view and would prefer to not waste both of our time if you do not have the funds to buy.
Thank you for reading, and congratulations on your first step to owning your own R107 SL.
