Mercedes-Benz 280SL Roadster

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Bullet-proof reliability, bahn-storming performance and timeless good looks – if any car can be called an instant classic, then this is surely it.

Produced from 1971 to 1989, the Mercedes-Benz W107 SL series was a massive hit when new and continues to be highly sought after to this day. Made at a time when Mercedes still deserved its reputation for outstanding build quality, the cars came in a wide range of engine sizes from 2.8-litre sixes to 5-litre V8s. All models were face-lifted in 1980 with a raft of improvements including upgrading the auto box from 3-speed to 4-speed.

It may have been the baby of the SL range, but the 280 was still a supremely capable motorcar with an excellent blend of performance and economy from its smooth 185bhp straight-six engine. Top speed was 125mph with the 0-60 dash being covered in a respectable 9.6 seconds.

Dating from the last year of 280SL production (before it was replaced by the 300SL), this particular car was supplied new by Kingsthorpe Mercedes of Northampton to first owners Higginbottom & Co Ltd of Alderley Edge in August 1985. It has had just two further owners since then, being acquired by the vendor back in 1992.

It has covered only 105,300 miles to date with a very good service history comprising no fewer than 16 stamps up to 100,595 miles in 2002 (an average service interval of 6,200 miles). Kept garaged and only sparingly used in the last dozen years, we are told that the car has been regularly serviced during this time but the book has not been stamped.

Appearing to be in very good condition throughout with particularly attractive dark red metallic paintwork, the car is said to drive as it should with an MOT until March 2016. Only being sold because the long-term owner has no time in which to enjoy it and nowhere convenient to store it, this handsome old Merc now needs a proud fourth owner to give it the more regular exercise it deserves.