1986 Mercedes-benz 500SL £29,950
Cherished during long-term ownership on the Isle of Wight, this Mercedes is in excellent condition, says Richard Mason
Apart from its first ten months, this is a one-owner car. Its ownership documents, which include original pre-delivery inspection and build sheets, show that it was supplied new by Normands-cruickshank Ltd of Bristol to The Barrie Payne Group in Bristol. Its last change of ownership was on 18 May 1987 to a man in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight. There are eight service stamps to 1994 (at 37,199 miles) in the original service book, then a gap until 2009 (66,639 miles) when the car was serviced by Bonchurch Garage in Ventnor. After this, the service history gets patchy, but vendor Charles Ironside has spent about £6200 getting the SL up to scratch after buying it in 2020, with receipts for new suspension, a full service and other sundry items.
This SL starts easily with a typically muted Mercedes V8 burble and timing chain rattle – the chain will need checking in just over 5000 miles’ time. The fourspeed auto ’box changes smoothly and progress is effortless. Recent work on the steering box is evidenced by good responsiveness at the wheel. The ride is smooth and free from clonks, and the brakes are reassuring. The cruise control activates with a simple flick of the column-mounted stalk.
The paintwork has a deep shine with no orange peel or tiger stripes. The sidetrim mouldings fit nicely, although there is some slight overspray. Panel gaps between the bonnet and wings are perfect, with no signs of the notorious bulkhead corrosion. Wheelarches are all solid and there’s no visible rust on the top of the front wings, a common problem. The rear deck where the hard-top sits is free from scratches. The rear spoiler was recently replaced, while the 15-hole, 15inch alloy wheels are flawless.
The hood looks new, though not an original Mercedes item, its clear plastic windows giving good visibility, and the hard-top is in good order. A (nonoriginal) wind deflector lives in the boot. Fade on the blue leather driver’s bolster could easily be remedied without much expense using DIY kits. Less easy to repair are minor cracks on the top of the black dashboard, but it’s unusual to find an R107 without them. The dashboard instrument needles are partially faded but easy to repaint. There are no signs of wear on the refurbished steering wheel, while the wood veneer is intact and a modern radio is fitted. Functioning air conditioning by Diavia has been fitted. The door cards are solid and the electric windows operate well.
The bonnet opens correctly and has intact sound insulation. There are no signs of oil or any other fluid leakage in the very clean engine bay. The coolant in the original header tank is blue – the right colour for the era – although the tank itself is dark-stained. A replacement would enhance an otherwise pristine engine bay. The front slam panel is straight and rust-free with correct stickers. The original windscreen, as evidenced by the Mercedes star, is unmarked – a sign of its quiet life on the Isle of Wight.
CHOOSE YOUR R107 MERCEDES SL
Launched in 1971 to replace the ‘Pagoda’ SL, the 107-series was available initially with a 3.5-litre V8 only, in two-seater and 2+2 SL roadster and four-seater SLC coupé forms.
USA models, launched in 1972, had 4.5-litre V8s, and a 450SL/SLC nameplate from 1973.
In response to the 1973 fuel crisis, straight-six 280 models were introduced for 1974.
In 1980, 350 and 450 models were replaced by 3.8-litre 380 and 5.0-litre 500 models respectively. SLC coupés discontinued 1981.
In 1985, 280SL and 380SL were replaced by new 3.0-litre 300SL and 4.2-litre 420SL.
New 5.6-litre 560SL introduced in 1986 in markets where emissions legislation blunted power of 500SL. All R107s discontinued in 1989.