Lot Ended
Description
Just two owners from new, the current for 25 years; only 80,500 miles;
kept garaged as part of a collection and very lightly used; highly original;
driven to the sale
Launched in
1971, the new W107 series SL had a tough act to follow, the delicate W113
'Pagoda' SL that it replaced having set the benchmark for good road manners,
quality and refinement.
Offered in a wide range
of engine sizes from a 2.8 straight-six to a 5.0 V8, it was to remain in
production until 1989 with over 300,000 leaving the works before the new and
significantly more complex W129 series made its debut.
Although the 280 was the baby of the SL range, it boasted an
excellent blend of performance and economy. Far more economical to run that its
V8 siblings, its smooth fuel-injected engine produced 182bhp and 176lb/ft,
sufficient to top 125mph and dash to 60mph from standstill in 10
seconds.
First registered in October 1983, this
Mercedes 280SL has effectively had just two owners from new* the first being a
gent in Ross-on-Wye who kept it for 17 years before selling it to the current
local lady owner in 2000 at which point it had covered c.76,000 miles.
Forming part of a collection of Mercedes cars
owned by our vendor, it has only covered around 4,500 miles in the current
25-year ownership, spending most of its time tucked away in a nice dry garage.
Although there isn’t much service history, we
are assured that the 80,500 miles showing is correct. Ten old MOTs confirm how
lightly it was used between 2001 and 2018 when it was last tested. This revealed
a few failure points and advisories which were all attended to, resulting in a
clean pass in December 2018 since when the car has only covered 38
miles, most of them on the drive to Brightwells for this
auction.
There are a couple of invoices for recent upkeep including a new
windscreen in July 2022 when it also got new under-bonnet sound-proofing and the
chassis was steam cleaned and waxoiled. It also had various new suspension
bushes at around the same time,
As you can see in
the photos, this low-mileage SL looks pleasingly sound, straight and original,
with a beautifully preserved blue leather interior. Driven 20 miles to the sale,
it has been starting promptly and running well as we have moved it around on
site, with the electric windows and door mirrors working as they should. We are
told that the soft top is also in good condition.
On offer here at a modest guide price, it now needs an enthusiastic
third owner who can give it the more regular exercise it
needs.
* Please note the V5C states that this
car was registered overseas and declared manufactured 1983. It says two former
keepers, the previous acquiring the car on 5th October 1983 which is
also the date of first registration, so we presume the car was originally bought
on the Continent to jump the waiting list or reduce purchase tax, being
registered very briefly to the supplying dealer or importer.
Consigned by James Dennison – 07970
309907 – james.dennison@brightwells.com