Mercedes-Benz 300SL-24 Roadster

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The flagship model of arguably the most prestigious car manufacturer in the world, the Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster has consistently been ahead of its time, no matter which generation, when it comes to the amount of technology offered.

The 1989 Mercedes-Benz SL was another revolution for its maker. At a stroke, it banished the '70s styling of its predecessor, it favour of an up-to-the-minute look overseen by Bruno Sacco. It was such a successful styling job, that the R129 remained in production for more than a decade, and still looked fresh at the end of its life. But the SL's beauty was more than skin deep, as it was packed with technology.

Along with the balletic power-operated roof, it had a dual-range four-speed automatic gearbox, optional adaptive suspension that lowered itself at speed, a profusion of airbags and traction/stability systems and that famous pop-up rollover bar that deployed automatically in an accident. A range of engines was offered, but the frugal yet potent six-cylinder 3-litre in the 300SL was the favourite with most customers, with 190bhp as standard or 231bhp in 24-valve twin-cam form, as here.

Delivered new to a Hong Kong resident in September 1991, little is known of the car’s life in the former British Colony apart from what can be surmised from copies of service work in the history file. It seems that it was attended to regularly by Wah Mee Motor Services of Happy Valley, Hong Kong, who having stamped the booklet for a PDI inspection are assumed to have been an official Mercedes dealer. Serviced at recommended intervals, the last service in Hong Kong took place in 2003 at 67,774km, the 300SL then making its way to the UK.

Since arriving here in January 2004, it has had just two owners and has been looked after by marque specialists, Stuttgart Garage of Graig, a massive file detailing the work carried out to date. Cherished by both UK owners, the SL seems to have wanted for nothing, a quick tot-up of bills coming to over £15,000, major items being a replacement gearbox costing £1,600, an ignition control box at £1,017 and what looks like a pretty comprehensive engine fettle and sort out involving cylinder head work and timing chains coming to £1,944, all this in 2006. Other regular service work has been documented by Stuttgart Garage and bidders are invited to inspect the paperwork before the sale to fully appreciate the extent of the service history.

The speedometer was changed from kilometres to miles at some point and the documentation would appear to indicate that the car has now covered approximately 58,000 miles (taking account of a documented speedo change from a kmh to mph clock). Looking most impressive in very dark grey with a full beige leather interior, both hard and soft tops, and fitted with 18” alloys with low profile tyres, it has an MOT until February 2016 and is said to drive as you would wish.