Mercedes-Benz 350SL

The successor to the fabulous ‘Pagoda roof’ SL range of the 1960s, the W107 Series SL was an altogether more masculine machine that looked, and felt, as though it was carved from a solid block of steel. The Stuttgart development team even nicknamed it the ‘Panzerwagen’ for its tank-like solidity.

Engineered to last for decades and hugely expensive when new, it appealed to the international jet set and was equally at home cruising to the golf club or forging across a continent. Fast, comfortable and discreetly understated, it had a matchless ability to munch up the miles for year after year without ever seeming to falter. No wonder it stayed in production fundamentally unaltered until 1989 – the longest running chassis in Mercedes history.

When it was launched in 1971 it initially came with only one engine option, the tried and trusted 3.5-litre V8 that was already to be found in the big S Class saloons and coupes. This produced 200bhp and 211lb/ft of torque and remained an option right up until 1980 when it was finally replaced by a slightly larger 3.8-litre unit. Bigger and smaller engines were also made available over time but the 3.5 was always the engine that the car was designed for and gave it a top speed of 132mph – quite fast enough for most needs.

This particular SL is a quite exceptional car that has had just one owner from new and has covered less than 56,000 miles to date. It was bought new by the current owner from Neyland Motors of Swansea in October 1979 (although, to circumvent the waiting list prevailing at the time, it was booked out in the name of a fictitious lady).

Some 34 years later the car still looks remarkably fresh as it has always been kept garaged, used in fine weather only and regularly treated with waxoil underneath. It comes in a wonderfully period shade of gold with a metallic brown hardtop and a green interior which suits the car perfectly. The brown soft top is also present and is in excellent condition.

Always scrupulously maintained, the car comes with a full service history comprising 13 stamps in the book up to May 2003 at 43,000 miles, plus invoices for subsequent servicing since. It was recently fitted with a new waterpump, new brake discs and a new rear exhaust section.

The car is said to drive beautifully and it certainly fired up promptly and ran very smoothly on the occasion of our visit, despite sub-zero temperatures and not having been started for several weeks. The only non-original fitment is a modern Pioneer CD player with an iPod adapter although the original Blaupunkt radio is included in the sale.

It comes with the aforementioned service history, all its original handbooks and a current MOT. Altogether a lovely old roadster that is ready for a proud second owner to enjoy and cherish.

AMENDMENT: The Pioneer CD player on this car has now been removed and a Grundig radio cassette put in its place.