Lot 165 - 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL 320 Roadster
| Lot Number | 165 |
| Registration | R561 MDE |
| Chassis Number | WDB1290632F157302 |
| Engine Number | 10499122029191 |
| Odometer reading | 39,814 miles |
| Result | Sold - £10,000 |
- Only 39,800 miles from new
- Good service history
- Three UK owners
Following the resounding success of the R107, the R129 Mercedes-Benz SL had a rather tough act to follow and it still had to carry on the tradition of a fast and reliable grand touring convertible. The advantage designers had with the R129 was technology. By the time the final car rolled off the production line in 1989, these earlier models had been in production for 18 years with very little change. Therefore the new SL featured many new and innovative ideas, such as controlled electronic damping and an automatically expanding roll-over bar. In addition to this was a fully operating electric hood, windows, door mirrors and seats, which made this model easy and comfortable to operate. The SL boasted a more powerful engine and the stopping power was aided by anti-locking braking for added reassurance.
This Mercedes-Benz SL320 was supplied in August 1997 by Cross Keys Mercedes-Benz of Taunton and is one of the last of the straight-six engine cars which is considered to be smoother and more refined than the V6 which followed. The first owner kept the car for seven years and covered around 20,000 miles. The second owner, a doctor from Isleworth, acquired the car in March 2004 and kept it for five years adding further 15,000 miles to the odometer. The last registered owner, a private car collector, purchased the car in 2009 and added it to his collection and kept it carefully garaged only doing a small number of miles to 38,700 miles in 2015 after that it was placed in storage in Ireland returning to the UK this year. Finished in metallic Brilliant Silver with matching hardtop, black power hood and black leather interior, this comes to a very high specification including walnut trim, five-speed automatic gearbox, cruise control, climate control, ESP handling control, headlight wash/wipe, remote alarm/central locking, heated door mirrors, wind deflector, front and rear parking sensors and 16" alloy wheels. This Mercedes-Benz has recently been serviced, fitted with a new battery, new alternator, new tyres and is supplied with a V5 registration document, an MoT test certificate which expires in September 2020 and a complete handbook pack containing the service record book confirming the mileage and good service history. A superb, low mileage example.
Interested parties should satisfy themselves as to the description and condition of each Lot prior to the sale. Accordingly, buyers are on notice that each vehicle is offered ‘as is/as seen’ subject to the Terms and Conditions for the auction. All registration numbers, engine and chassis details are sourced from registration documents provided to Historics by the client or representative or HPI checks and buyers are to satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of these details. Buyers are advised to inspect the vehicle in person or use a professional to carry out this service. Historics will not entertain disputes over descriptions.