Lot details
Registration No: C623NGK
Chassis No: WDB1070462A028868
Mot Expiry: May 2009

The second-generation 'Pagoda' SL replaced the original W113-series car in 1971 after an eight-year production run. But this much-loved new roadster, soon nicknamed the 'Panzerwagen' because of its immense strength and build quality, stayed in production for even longer. Dispensing with Mercedes' usual model identification, the R107 was based on the suspension of the W114 saloon and the model was built until 1989 with more than 237,000 examples made. The Bruno Sacco-styled car was designed to reflect a changing marketplace and was bigger, heavier and softer-riding than its predecessor under a more mature skin - though these cars still handle well.
Offered with a 3.5-litre V8 at launch, progressively larger engines were offered, through 380, 420 and 450 V8, later a 300 'six' and ultimately the 4973cc, 245bhp 500SL made between 1980 and 1989. This model, with its all-alloy fuel-injected V8, was made for Europe only (though a few slipped into North America as grey imports) and, with 60mph available in 7.4 secs and a top speed of 140mph, was faster even than the US, Japan and Australian-market 560SL.

Plenty of R107s (and its longer-wheelbase coupe variant the SLC) come to market but 500SLs remain a rarity, with only 11,812 built. With four-speed automatic transmission, which best suits the robust sportster's character, this car has apparently covered 88,000 miles and, after a bare-metal respray following the fitment of new front wings, at a cost of £5-6000, it is understandably described by its owner as "excellent", and "like new" - plus it comes with factory steel hard-top, as you'd expect.

The photographs used are of a similar vehicle.