Rolls Royce and Bentley Specialists - RREC Members - 01254 290279

1977 'S' Mercedes SL350, multiple show winner, previous elderly owner 32 years, available due to bereavement, un-restored, original and wonderful.

This is a stunning vehicle which we have secured from the widow of an elderly gentleman who sadly passed in 2012, the lady only just bringing herself to part with the car after selling the family home and finding herself with nowhere to store the Mercedes. Covered just 40,000 miles with only 1 owner prior to the old gentleman, this is an exceptional, original example which has spent much of it's time in a "Carcoon" storage bubble inside the garage, only coming out on the nicest days and driven mainly to shows. The gentleman bought the car from a Mercedes main dealer with 20,000 miles in 1985, the purchase invoice is contained within the history folder. 32 years later the mileage has just reached 40,000 which gives an average of just 645 miles driven each year. The lady registered the car in her own name shortly after her partners passing in 2012 so the V5 shows 2 previous owners, although the lady has never driven the car.

The gentleman was an SL fanatic and maintained his car in exceptional order throughout which is evident from even the most casual inspection. The service book itself details previous maintenance at 5828, 10501, 15167, 18062, 20000, 30368, 34819 and 40145 miles together with an A4 binder containing a large number of further invoices and receipts for work carried out, parts supplied, old MOT's and Tax Discs, all of which completely corroborates the mileage of the vehicle.

Upon on our initial appraisal of the vehicle the engine Oil was found to be spotlessly clean and the coolant appeared reasonably fresh. The engine started eagerly and settled to a smooth idle but we realised the car has not covered any distance on the road for quite some time so we elected to transport the car back to our premises rather than drive it. After the fuel lines were cleaned and drained of stale petrol, new fuel pump fitted, injectors removed and cleaned, all drive belts replaced, engine oil and coolant changed, spark plugs replaced and the brakes stripped and cleaned we eventually got our first drive in the car, and what a joy. It was a dry day so we removed the hard top and left the roof down, surely the best way to enjoy an SL. The engine has a superb V8 burble and pulls lustily through the gears, the gearbox is very smooth and positive with no slurring or jerking through the ratios. The steering, which is power assisted, is direct and free from the vague response which affects high mileage cars, all in all a thoroughly enjoyable drive and an absolute delight to be at the controls.

Finished in period Thistle green with russet half leather interior and matching carpets, this is a truly stunning example of the model. The bodywork belies the age of the car with barely a blemish to be found and absolutely no rust or filler. The underside is heavily undersealed and in superb order, free from the common corrosion issues which can affect this model, in fact the entire vehicle could easily pass for just a year or two old and gets an awful lot of attention wherever it goes. The interior is in really superb order showing very little signs of use, very obviously a carefully owned and well looked after vehicle. The hard top, which is finished in a darker shade of green, is practically unmarked with the the soft top similarly in excellent order. This is without question one of the best SL's available today and is likely to steadily appreciate.

Period specification to include half leather upholstery, cruise control, original Radiomobile stereo, fog lamps, original 14 inch alloy wheels with matching Michelin tyres all round, all in good order. Charmingly simple and an absolute pleasure to own.

The car has it's original owners manuals, radiomobile manual, stamped service book etc.

This is the first time this car has been offered on the open market for 32 years. SL's very rarely appear with such low mileage and low ownership, we were very lucky indeed to secure this car and we will be very sad to see it go.

The car will be supplied with a new MOT with no advisory notices. Interesting part exchange considered.

Classic Car Warehouse, prestige and performance cars, classic and modern. A family business established over 28 years, Rolls Royce and Bentley specialists.

N.B. Our premises are not a traditional car showroom, all our vehicles are stored indoors in a secure facility and it is not possible to view our cars when we are not there. We travel extensively sourcing and collecting cars so all viewings must therefore be arranged by appointment, thank you.

For many more full screen photographs of this vehicle and similar vehicles please visit our website : www.ClassicCarWarehouse.co.uk