1983 Mercedes-Benz 280SL R107

Because this one is a proper time warp car. At first glance you could be forgiven for thinking that it’s been the subject of a first class and very expensive restoration by a leading Mercedes specialist. But that gleaming paintwork was applied by Mercedes themselves in 1983. It’s all original, and with just 24,408 miles on the clock this car is, quite literally, barely run in.

The current owner is the third, the first being a lady who was bought the car by her husband.

The result is a 1983 Mercedes 280 SL that has never been out in the rain, let alone near a salty road. It’s been garaged its entire life and meticulously maintained by Mercedes.

Stunning is a good word, we think. There are plenty of others you could pick, but that does the job. This car is in incredible condition. The paint, aside from the tiny marks mentioned below, is beautiful. The owner tells us he’s never had any bodywork repairs done to the car and that the first owner told him she never did either, so everything you see here is factory original.

The Top Hat alloy wheels are equally well preserved, and the hard top is in similar condition. 

The original Mercedes soft top is also in fine shape.

There’s a tiny scratch on the driver’s side rear wing, forward of the fuel filler flap. Open that fuel filler cap and it almost looks like no fuel has ever been put in the car – there are no scratches where a clumsily handled fuel filler nozzle has damaged the paint – it all looks immaculate. There are also small grazes in the lacquer behind the rear of the hardtop, almost certainly caused by removing it.

There’s a fire extinguisher fitted in the passenger footwell, in front of the seat. It looks like new, obviously. Even the pedal rubbers look like feet have barely been near them. The interior is simply faultless. The MB Tex seats show no signs of wear whatsoever. The owner tells us the original owner was a slight lady and only five feet tall, and that he is also a lightweight, so the driver’s seat has never been under any strain – and it shows.

The hardtop’s headlining is in excellent condition, and if anything was ever put in the boot – and there’s a good chance nothing ever was – it was very clean and left no marks. The spare wheel looks to have been never used and is like new, as is the complete Mercedes tool roll.

The foam insulation under the bonnet has been replaced whilst under the care of its current owner as it had started to crumble with age, but all is now looking neat and tidy.

Underneath the car the hard-wearing factory applied underseal has had very little to do and is completely undamaged. There is still a sticker visible on the exhaust system, and the very light surface corrosion on some of the suspension parts is more commensurate with what you might expect on a well-cared for three-year-old car, not one that’s 40 years old.

There’s a full Mercedes service history with this SL, all the original handbooks, the original instructions for the dealer fitted upgraded Clarion stereo, masses of old tax discs, and two sets of keys – including the tiny one. Even the key ring is the Mercedes original.

One for a collector perhaps, we really can’t imagine you’ll find an R107 SL in more original condition with a mileage as low as this. We estimate that it will sell for £30,000-£35,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.