1984 MERCEDES-BENZ 500SL                              Regis...

Estimate

£16,000 - £18,000

1984 MERCEDES-BENZ 500SL                             

Registration Number: B202 WUU
Chassis Number: WDB10704624014370
Recorded Mileage: 116,000 miles

- Extensive service history
- Previous long term ownership

It is hard to believe that the R107 Mercedes SL is now over fifty years old, yet in 1971 this new chapter in the history of the SL sports car began. It was the first SL with a V8 engine, it had a thoroughly modern new design, it was a self-confident motor car; sporty yet luxurious, quick yet comfortable. In many ways it was and remains the perfect convertible car. The new SL featured a number of technical innovations such as defined crumple zones, high-strength steels in the A-pillars and windscreen frame with its bonded glass, padded surfaces and deformable elements to the interior. From March 1980 there was ABS braking and from January 1982 a driver’s airbag and belt tensioners. 

The ultimate engine choice in Europe was to be found with the 500SL of 1980, with 240bhp available (bearing in mind a Porsche 911 offered a “mere” 204 bhp at the time). The interiors became more luxurious, the car also became lighter with new alloy bonnets and bootlids. Then in 1985 the range was revised again; the engines gained a little more power, the bodies better rust proofing, there was electronic ignition, a new design of wheels, also improved suspension. The 500 SL welcomed a redesigned engine with electronic ignition and Bosch KE-Jetronic fuel injection. 

First registered on 28th August 1984, finished in Arctic White with a black/check interior, this well presented 500SL has had just five keepers from new, with the third owner for over 25 years. Looking through the history file we find the original Mercedes-Benz Service Book, Owner’s Manual and Service Directory from the supplying dealer Bradshaw and Webb of Chelsea. The Service Book contains an impressive 20 or so stamps, with additional service and maintenance invoices totalling approximately £9,000 (notably a new hood was fitted in 2016 at a cost of £1080). There are in addition a number of older MoT certificates to support the stated mileage of 116,000 miles. The Mercedes-Benz is said to drive well with smooth gear changes, and we are sure the factory fitted air conditioning system will also be a useful feature through the summer months. 

Low mileage SLs with sensible mileages are seldom seen in the market, and we feel this well historied top of the range example is well worth closer inspection. The 500SL will be sold with a newly issued MoT certificate, valid to May 2023.