1987 MERCEDES-BENZ (R107) 560SL

KEY FACTS

• A flagship classic roadster, with an elegant colour scheme and a desirable factory specification.
• Under the bonnet is a rebuilt 5.6-litre V8, producing around 227bhp, coupled with a four-speed torque converter automatic transmission.
• A left-hand-drive US-market example, which spent the first portion of its life in Los Angeles; it was imported to the UK in recent years and re-registered with the DVLA in July 2016.

EQUIPMENT AND FEATURES

• The bumpers and light clusters have been converted from American to European specification.
• It is equipped with fully independent suspension, power-assisted anti-lock disc brakes, 15-inch light alloy wheels and the desirable hard-top roof.
• Factory equipment includes power steering, cruise control, automatic climate control and electric windows.
• Aftermarket CocoMats have been fitted in the cabin.
• Its original owner’s manuals, service book, bill of sale, warranty documents and US title are included in their branded plastic wallet, along with a Carfax report from 2014, a complete history of maintenance documents and correspondence from HMRC and the Mercedes-Benz UK homologation department, confirming its original specification.

Specification:

• Four-speed automatic gearbox with torque converter
• Supplemental restraint system
• Anti-theft alarm system with radio theft protection
• Power assisted steering
• Cruise control
• Automatic climate control
• Central locking
• Tinted glass
• Electrically operated windows
• Electrically heated rear window (Hard-top)
• Two-speed windshield wipers (with five-second mist control)
• Fully independent suspension
• Power assisted four wheel disc brakes
• ABS
• Limited-slip differential
• Light alloy wheels
• Electronic AM and FM stereo radio with cassette player (Becker Grand Prix)
• Automatic antenna
• Leather upholstery
• Adjustable seats and headrests
• Front centre folding armrest
• Leather covered steering wheel and gear selector
• Aerodynamic halogen head and fog lights (Fog lights removed but present)
• Tachometer/Quartz chronometer
• First aid kit
• Tool roll
• Dark Brown soft top
• California emission control equipment

CONDITION

• No known bodywork damage to the main panels, though the vendor has reported a deep scratch and some storage-related marks to the hard top.
• Its Smoke Silver Metallic paintwork was resprayed in the late 1990s and is now in good shape, though a few minor imperfections have been noted, including some light chips to the offside door and rear panel. A scuff can be seen on the offside edge of the front valance.
• Inside, its Palomino leather upholstery is in good condition, with the vendor noting the base foam and seats backs have been re-stitched by K Baggs of Bournemouth, now presenting with just a few light creases.
• Two small punctures can be seen in the offside door card.
• The air conditioning is known to leak and the interior clock has stopped.
• The vendor will put the car through a fresh MOT test prior to handover to the next owner. Currently, the most recent MOT recorded was on 24 August 2020 at 77,877 miles, which was a clean pass after the rear fog lamp tell-tale was fixed.

SERVICE HISTORY

• Its most recent service was in August 2020 at 77,877 miles, where technicians at T&T Motors in Chelsea changed the engine oil and fluids, before replacing the washer motor and cleaning the washer jets.
• Prior to this, in May 2020 at 77,608 miles, the fluids were changed and the car was fitted with a new battery, earth cable and cut off switch.
• Four new Continental AllSeason tyres were fitted in January 2020.
• The air conditioning was re-filled and serviced in June 2019, while a compressor was fitted in 2018.
• The engine was completely overhauled in 2015, including new camshafts. -
• The left inner tie rod steering arm and rear muffler have been replaced.

Dates and mileage:

• 25/01/1992 - 23,798 Smog Test Passed (STP - first recorded test)
• 21/02/1994 - 39,745 STP
• 07/01/1994 - 52,327 STP
• 05/02/2002 - 61,065 STP
• 13/02/2004 - 62,328 STP
• 16/02/2006 - 63,454 STP
• 10/02/2010 - 64,827 STP
• 16/02/2012 - 66,109 STP
• 20/02/2014 - 69,302 STP and Carfax report
• 18/03/2015 - 74,632 STP Car sold by son of original owner, and then exported by new owner.
• 17/07/2015 - NOVA certificate (recorded as UK taxes-paid)
• 31/01/2016 - US equipment delete to Euro spec (bumpers, lights, boot light, etc.)
• 01/06/2016 - UK first registration
• 01/06/2017 - 75,483 MOT no advisory
• 25/05/2018 - 76,139 MOT advisory for slight play in steering box
• 28/08/2018 - 76,252 MOT no advisory (into current ownership)
• 30/08/2019 - 77,319 MOT advisory on all 4 tyres, replaced Jan 2020
• 24/08/2020 - 77,877 MOT no advisory after rear fog lamp tell-tale fixed
• 25/06/2021 - 78,179 Offered for sale (will have fresh MOT on sale as required)

SUMMARY

This Mercedes-Benz (R107) 560SL is a very good example of the elegant classic roadster, with the desirable factory hard top and a sophisticated colour scheme. Its 5.6-litre V8 has recently been overhauled, making this eye-catching classic a great candidate for frequent use.

The description of this auction lot is, to the best of the seller's knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Collecting Cars requests a range of detail about the lot from the seller, and performs a level of due diligence. However, bidders must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description, and conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to a bid. Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details.

All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.