Mercedes-Benz 300SL

Fresh into stock at Deane Motors is this wonderfully honest and extremely usable Mercedes-Benz 300 SL (R107) finished in classic Signal Red with a beautifully kept black leather interior and matching black soft top. Sitting proudly on its original alloy wheels and accompanied by its factory hard top, this is exactly the sort of SL we love — usable, handsome and engineered to a standard the modern world has long since forgotten. We actually sold this car around five years ago and are delighted to welcome it back once again. It remains a particularly well-kept example, presenting with a deep shine throughout the bodywork, excellent panel fit and a cabin that still feels reassuringly solid. Inside, the black leather is beautifully complemented by rich walnut wood trimmings across the dashboard and centre console, giving the cabin that unmistakable late-80s Mercedes atmosphere. The addition of the upgraded Bremen radio is a particularly nice touch, subtly modernising the car while keeping a completely period-correct appearance. Under the bonnet sits what is, in our opinion, the engine to have — Mercedes’ superb 3.0-litre straight six. Smooth, refined and wonderfully durable, it suits the relaxed nature of the R107 perfectly. Period road tests praised these cars for their effortless cruising ability, vault-like build quality and refinement, and today they remain one of the easiest classics to simply get in and enjoy. This particular example drives extremely well, with the sort of tightness and composure that reminds you just how over-engineered these cars really were. The later R107 models such as this benefitted from years of Mercedes development and refinement. They are widely regarded as some of the best-built SLs of the era and, importantly, tend to suffer far less with corrosion than earlier examples when properly cared for. As a result, they make an ideal entry point into classic Mercedes ownership — stylish, dependable and refreshingly usable without the intimidating maintenance costs associated with many classics of the period. Few classic cars manage to combine elegance, usability and genuine engineering integrity quite like the R107 SL. Whether used for weekend touring, summer evenings or simply enjoyed as an appreciating modern classic, this 300 SL feels every inch the timeless Mercedes-Benz it was always intended to be.