1967 Mercedes-Benz 250 SL

Lot details
Registration No: RWA770E
Chassis No: 11301322001274

- UK-supplied, RHD, 'matching numbers' car

- Displays a highly credible 50,000 miles with a note of all services made in a Mercedes-Benz book from new in 1967 until 1978 when it went into storage.

- Significant restoration carried out in the 90s , unused since 2002

- Understood to have been in single family ownership from new.

This lovely-looking example of the rarest of the W113 SLs is a right-hand drive, UK supplied, matching numbers car that's understood to have remained in single family ownership from new and to have covered just 50,700 miles. It was reputedly dry stored from the late 1970s until undergoing restoration in the late 1990s / early 2000s and again from 2002 until the present day. Although running and driving after the recent fitment of a new battery, the Mercedes would benefit from a degree of further recommissioning. It is equipped with the optional power steering and automatic transmission and is finished in its original livery of Medium Blue Metallic (396G) bodywork, and Blue Metallic (387H) hardtop and hubcaps. The hood and frame are absent, but the 'Pagoda' comes complete with: a note of all services from new until 1978 at 48,998 miles; correct Mercedes toolkit, tool roll and spare wheel cover; 250 SL owner's manual, Type 250 SL 'catalog' A, Europa service book, Mercedes service manual, and Mercedes brown PVC wallet.

The 250SL, was introduced at the March 1967 Geneva Salon. Blessed with the same effortlessly elegant Paul Bracq styling as its earlier relation, it was powered by a new seven-bearing crankshaft 2496cc SOHC straight-six engine that developed 150bhp and 159lbft of torque - sufficient output to endow the Mercedes with a 0-60mph time of a whisker under 11 seconds, and top speed north of 120mph. Suspension was independent all-round by double wishbones and coils springs at the front, and swing axle, radius arms and coil springs at the rear. Braking was by power-assisted discs, and steering by power-assisted recirculating ball. Faster than the 230SL yet more agile than its 280SL successor, the 250SL remained in production for a single year, accounting for a mere 5,196 sales worldwide, more than a third of which were exported to America. A cult car, SLs have had countless celebrity owners from Charlton Heston to Kate Moss, and starred in myriad films.