Lot details
Registration No: TNJ 378
Chassis No: 1070422A010095
Mot Expiry: Feb 2008

The 1971 launched SL was a very different car to its 'pagoda' roofed 280 SL predecessor, being much more of a high-speed inter-continental express than an out and out sports car. Available as a 350 SL or 450 SL, the V8 engines and semi-trailing arm rear suspension components were taken from the S-Class and like its predecessor it was available as a roadster or as a coupe with removable hardtop. Very much in a class of its own at launch, the SL's only major competition came from the recently re-engined Jaguar E-Type V12 which whilst still beautiful was a much older basic design. Steadily refined and developed but never substantially altered over a production run which even by Mercedes-Benz standards was lengthy, the SL remained in production in this form until 1989. A smaller 6-cylinder 280 SL had been introduced in mainland Europe in 1974 but it was not until October 1980 that this model became available in the UK. Powered by a gusty yet refined 2746cc engine producing 185bhp even the 280 model lacked nothing when it came to performance and being indistinguishable externally from its larger engine brothers was a popular 'entry level' way into Mercedes convertible motoring. The 280 SL lasted until October 1985 when it was replaced by the 300 SL, which at the same time received the SL's one and only minor facelift.

The 1984 car on offer today is finished in champagne with a cream part leather interior and has a mileage verified by the current owner of 85,476 at the time of going to press with a full service history. Featuring the more popular automatic transmission, this example is described by the vendor as being 'excellent' in every area with an 'as new' interior. Included with this car is the desirable factory hardtop as well as the personalised registration number TNJ 378 and the car will be sold with MOT until February 2008 and tax until April 2007.