1983 Mercedes-Benz R107 280 SL with Blue Leather (252)

Labrador Blue (312) with Blue Leather (252) and Dark Blue Fabric Soft Top (5010)

19,000 miles

The first owner of this car was, as far as we can tell, an enthusiast. On the 6th September 1983 Mr L paid the princely sum of £20,057.68 (or just over £71,000 in today’s money), evidenced by the presence of the original invoice for the car. It enjoys some expensive optional extras including full leather and rear seats.

With it’s rare colour, manual gearbox, antilock brakes, rear seats and lightweight alloy wheels, this car would have been unique against all the other SLs sold by E J Harley Mercedes-Benz in 1983.

The combination of a manual gearbox and six-cylinder engine make this the most economical of all the R107 range. Its not often that we find manual cars, though they are enjoyable to drive and offer a different dynamic for the R107. A manual gearbox allows the full potential of the 2.8 litre straight six engine to be used, letting the driver hang on to gear changes just to hear that raucus but refined sound. A 280SL gives ample performance, though it’s understandable that the SL has a reputation more for cruising than for spirited driving – this one enjoys a little of both.

Mercedes-Benz offered 16 different shades of blue throughout the production lifetime of the R107, with Labrador Blue only offered from 1982 to 1984. This is not a colour that we see very often at all, making this a very special car indeed.

Whether the first owner was a spirited driver or a had one eye on the fuel gauge we can’t be certain, but we are absolutely confident the specification of this SL makes it one of a kind. For much of it’s life this car has been adorned with the numberplate SL3000, a neat touch for an already unusual car.

For it’s 19,000 miles this car boasts 13 service stamps, There is a large folder of invoices, receipts and MOT certificates spanning the history of this car. Paperwork accompanying this car includes the original 1983 Mercedes-Benz PDI sheet, as well as manufacturers fuel economy leaflet. There is also the original Mercedes-Benz ‘Safety at the Roadside’ document, as well as the owners manual and service book. The roof handles reside in the correct pouches on the front of the plastic document wallet. There are two sets of keys with this car.

With such low mileage and some neat original features, this car is ready to be shown.

This Mercedes-Benz has been hand-picked by SLSHOP’s sales team due to its high calibre status. Every inch of this vehicle’s exterior, interior and mechanicals have been inspected by SLSHOP’s workshops to ensure the vehicle meets our world leading standards. While every effort has been made to offer pristine vehicles, there will be some age-related marks, unless otherwise stated.

We advise interested parties to join us for a coffee to peruse the documentation accompanying this vehicle. There are servicing records and invoices, MOT and tax records dating back many years and as such must be viewed in person.

320 ADDITIONAL PLATE AND REAR SEAT BENCH STOP FOR GREAT BRITAIN 461 INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND 470 ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) 505 OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR, LEFT, ELECTRICALLY ADJUSTABLE (R.H.D.) 524 PAINTWORK - PRESERVATION 533 INTERFERENCE SUPPRESSION WITHOUT RADIO SET 565 REAR SEATS USED ON SL MODELS 583 ELECTRIC WINDOW LIFTERS (FRONT DOORS) 592 HEAT-INSULATING GLASS, ALL-AROUND, HEATED REAR WINDOW PANE, BAND FILTER 613 HEADLAMP LEFT-HAND TRAFFIC 640 15-HOLE LIGHT ALLOY RIMS 656 MICHELIN TIRES 682 FIRE EXTINGUISHER 744 DARK BLUE SOFT TOP FABRIC 5010