Lot Ended
Description
Ex-Germany; LHD; rare manual version; current owner since 1996;
141,000 kms (87,600 miles); only 13k miles since full engine rebuild; lots of
history and just serviced; driven 70 miles to the sale
First registered
in Germany in June 1983, this rare manual 280SL comes with a good file of
invoices to show regular upkeep in Germany from 1990 onwards, although you will
need a good knowledge of Deutsche to decipher them.
In 1996 when the car had covered 66,884 kms (41,500 miles) it was
acquired by an English gent, Mr D Robertson, who was apparently working for BMW
in Munich at the time. The invoice shows that he paid 28,000 DM, photos of the
car showing that it was in splendid condition at the time.
He bought the car back to UK in December 1996 where it was registered
as CPE 681Y and it has remained in his name ever since, the odometer now showing
141,078 kms (87,600 miles) which is warranted by no fewer than 23 old MOTs on
file.
There are various invoices to show regular upkeep over the last few
years, including one for a full engine rebuild in September 2011 since when it
has only covered around 21,000 kms (13k miles). Aside from regular servicing,
other invoices of note include new clutch master and slave cylinders in 2012;
new n/s/f wing in 2015; new rear brake discs, pads, calipers and new handbrake
shoes in 2018. It was last serviced in May this year.
It had a fair few MOT advisories in 2022 for localised underbody
corrosion but these issues have presumably been addressed because there is no
mention of corrosion in subsequent MOTs.
Last
serviced in May this year, it also flew through the MOT with no advisories
recorded, the current ticket being valid until 16th May 2025. As the
car is now over 40 years old, the next owner will be able to get the taxation
class changed to Historic Vehicle so it will be free to tax and
MOT-exempt.
As you can see in the photos, it
looks clean and tidy all round and comes with a soft top which we are told is in
very good condition plus a wind deflector which is stored in the boot.
Driven some 70 miles to the sale, it has been
starting promptly and running very sweetly as we have moved it around on site.
We also noted that it feels remarkably lively compared to the auto version, and
the gearchange is pleasingly slick and easy.
For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email
james.dennison@brightwells.com