1977 Mercedes-Benz 450SL R107
1977 Mercedes-Benz 450SL R107
Roll up! Roll up! The most affordable, MOT’d, and usable V8 R107 in the UK today can be yours to own. This 450SL is finished in Gloss White with Beige Leather and was originally delivered new to South Africa in 1977. While South African specification cars are essentially identical to UK specification cars, the only difference is the MPH and KPH speedometer.
Imported into the UK in 2002, this SL has been registered here since and comes with a folder containing many invoices and MOTs that chronicle its time in the UK. While not a concours winner, it is perfectly presentable and can be used this coming summer as is. Although there are some scabby bits on the paint around the edges and it may require a respray to get it back to its former glory, the car still looks great and can be used for now.
Within the past 3 months, the car has had around £3,000 worth of work carried out, including extensive welding to the underside to get it fit for MOT. This has been necessary since the car sat for a couple of years. Additionally, a service and some operational niggles have been addressed as necessary, such as rebuilding one of the door glass electric window motors. The car passed its MOT in January 2023 with the only advisories being a corroded brake pipe and a cracked track rod dust cover.
The black mohair soft top is in good condition, and the rear plastic windows are clear. The car also has a white removable hardtop with a hairline crack running through the rear window glass and some bubbling. Nonetheless, it remains air and water tight.
Mechanically, the SL is great. That beautifully smooth 4.5-litre V8 still pulls like a train, and the car starts with the first turn of the key. We have just enjoyed 100 miles in it ourselves since collecting it, without any faults. The car handles exactly as an R107 should, like a fast armchair.
This 450SL represents a great opportunity to enter classic Mercedes ownership without breaking the bank, and the car can be enjoyed as is for now and improved upon over time. Additionally, since it is a 1977 model, the car is ULEZ and Road Tax exempt, making it an excellent summer daily driver contender.
As with all of the seller’s vehicles, a digital folder is available on request containing more images, walkaround videos, pictures of the underside, and scans of the service history. The car can be viewed by appointment at the seller’s West London showroom.
