What the 911 is to Porsche, the SL is to Mercedes. The SL-Class legend began in 1954 and continues to this day. No generation, however, has endured as long as the R107. This highly distinctive and beloved Mercedes SL was in production for an impressive 18 years. Our 280 SL, originally delivered in Germany, is from the later pre-facelift series, making it particularly refined. However, what truly sets it apart is its condition: it’s genuinely stunning! The original hardtop is included, and the soft-top was entirely renewed in 2012. Add to that an impressive list of options, and this is a collector’s item for purists, where ownership equates to one of the happiest days of their lives. The body color is already perfectly suited to the occasion…

History
Classic White; this is how Mercedes-Benz described the pristine white paint on the 280 SL constructed in 1985. It’s as if, even then, they knew in Germany they were crafting a future classic. With two beautiful prior SL generations, the R107 had a lot to live up to—and it did so by setting a completely new direction. Although it followed the trend of the model it replaced, being offered solely as a convertible, it was a major departure from the original “Gullwing.” While the 280 SL initially topped the range in the early ’70s, it established itself in 1974 as a strong foundation for a roofless star. This specific car found its first owner in Germany in 1985 before beginning a new chapter in the Netherlands in 1993. If it’s up to us, this chapter is far from over.

Exterior
The original Mercedes SL-Class was round, rounder, roundest. After two generations, however, the design became sleek, sleeker, sleekest. Not an evolution, but a revolution. Unlike Porsche with the 911, Mercedes-Benz dared to reinvent its sports car each time. Distinctive features of the R107 include the large, wide taillights, horizontally positioned headlights, and nearly flat beltline and trunk lid. Generation 3 of the SL makes a strikingly slender impression—one that never gets old, as its design has proven timeless and elegant over the years. Mercedes subtly referenced the iconic Gullwing era by partially covering the rear wheels with the fenders. This example has 14-inch “Bundt” wheels, which perfectly complement the Classic White bodywork and are part of a spectacularly beautiful condition. What a beauty!

Interior
The classic convertible’s interior has been maintained with visible passion and precision. Mercedes has a reputation for using exceptionally durable, beautiful materials, so expectations were already high. However, we rarely see them as pristine as in this case! The interior color is Blue, and the finish is largely cloth, with a charming ’70s-style plaid pattern. Wood trim is also a must for a classic Benz of this caliber. The equipment level includes a passenger-side mirror, electric windows and antenna, the original Becker Grand Prix Radio/Cassette, and even a heated hardtop—just the kind of luxury you’d expect from a true star. But heated seats? In a 1985 convertible? We didn’t see that coming!

Engine
Mercedes wouldn’t settle for anything less than a delightfully smooth 6-cylinder since the beginning of the iconic SL-Class. This characteristic lasted for a long time until turbo engines gained popularity and made their way into current models. In the R107, the naturally aspirated inline-six has a minimum displacement of a full 2.8 liters (2746 cc), which is what gives the 280 SL its name. In this configuration, the engine delivers 185 hp and 240 Nm of torque. All power flows through a 4-speed automatic transmission to the rear axle. Regardless of how you press the accelerator, this Benz will never lose its comfortable character. It’s an unmatched experience to cruise calmly with the top down in this Mercedes 280 SL, accompanied by the lovely six-cylinder melody from up front. If only every day could be a sunny Sunday…

Kind regards,
Team Prins