1984 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL

A very pretty R107 280SL finished in Classic White with Navy MB Tex, fitted with the desirable 5-speed manual gearbox and showing just 67,000 miles.

This is an unusually specified SL, not only because of the manual gearbox, but also because it is combined with factory air conditioning, rear seats and electric windows.

Most UK-delivered R107 SLs were specified with automatic gearboxes, so the combination of the lively six-cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission gives this car a noticeably more engaging character. It feels lighter, more responsive and more sporting than the typical automatic SL, while the long fifth gear makes it very comfortable for longer journeys. It would suit someone looking for a more involving SL for touring, summer use, or even the occasional classic rally.

The history file with this car is particularly charming. Sometimes the paperwork supplied with a classic car tells almost as much of a story as the car itself, and that is very much the case here. The first owner retained every piece of correspondence from his initial search through to the eventual purchase of this very car. At the time he was working in Saudi Arabia and bought the car through Diplomatic & Tourist Sales of Piccadilly.

Interestingly, he had initially been looking for a Thistle Green 280SL with light brown trim, but there appears to have been some difficulty in sourcing the right car, largely because he specifically wanted a manual gearbox. The file contains several letters discussing various cars that were available, none of which seem to have been quite suitable, until a letter dated 15th August offered this car, which was then located in Zeebrugge.

Since 1984 the car has had five owners, although the second owner was the wife of the first. The third owner was a family friend, who kept the car from 2005 until 2016. After a year with a gentleman in Chichester, we supplied the car to its most recent owners in 2017.

The bodywork is in very good condition, with a rust-free bulkhead and an excellent chassis, helped by recent works totalling over £5,000. The paintwork presents very nicely, and the car retains its correct colour-coded stainless steel wheel trims, fitted with matching Michelin tyres.

Inside, the Navy MB Tex trim is in exceptionally good order, for we have just re-trimmed the drivers seat base. The dark blue convertible hood was the original, so we have fitted a brand Mercedes hood in the correct blue whilst had the drivers seat trimmed.

On the road the car drives very well, with the manual gearbox giving it a particularly enjoyable character. All accessories appear to operate as intended, including the air conditioning which we have just re-gased

The history file is excellent, including the aforementioned early correspondence from the first owner, the original service book, a large folder of invoices and receipts, and old MoT's going back many years. A new battery has also just been fitted and as well as a service in 2024, and very little mileage, we are carrying out a fresh service prior to delivery

Most recently the underside has been attended with a bill for £5.000, so issues of bulk heads, valance or sills have been taken of correctly

This is a very rare 5-speed manual 280SL with air conditioning. Add to that the very low mileage, certainly low ownership and a very good history file - she really is a particularly superb specimen and one which is a very enjoyable example to drive.