・Fabulous V8 engine mated to an automatic gearbox ・Complete with matching hard top
The Background
The 350 SL was first released by Mercedes Benz in 1971 and continued in production for 19 years up until 1989.
As an open topped 2-seater, it was a bit of a mould breaker for Mercedes and the luxury sports car market generally. Featuring a powerful engine up front but combined with sumptuous interior turned this 2-seater into more of an open topped grand tourer which opened up a whole new market for Mercedes and others who followed in their footsteps.
This Metallic Green SL (The vendor believes the official colour is actually Silver Green Metallic) was first registered on the 1st of May 1972 by supplying dealers Rob Walker of Warminster in Wiltshire.
Service records show perhaps a move by the owner to Dorset before the car started being serviced in Sheffield in 1978.
It has since remained in the area and was purchased locally by only the third owners in October 1992 as their first venture into classic car ownership. The vendor recalls mileage to be approximately 105,000 miles at the time, so this Merc has only covered roughly 8,000 miles over the last 29 years.
Lack of use led to the SL being taken off the road and garaged in 2011, but it’s recently been taken out of storage, Mot’d and put back on the road ready for a sale.
There is a current V5c registration document in the vendor's name along with an Mot running through to July 2022.
There is also the original service book with stamps up to 98,000 miles in 1987, original drivers manual and other booklets in the Mercedes supplied folder.
In the history file there are a number of receipts for previous work carried out, old mot certificates etc.
The interior presents well, seats are in good condition and the dash too looks impressive. The vendor tells us that some of dials and switches are not working; the cruise control and electric aerial were not working when the vendor bought the car, and is unable to confirm the reason as to why. The radio, clock and dashboard lights are also not working, and although the seller believes these issues may be fuse related, they have emphasised that they cannot confirm what is causing the problem.
Carpets are good throughout; with the driver footwell carpet mat having been replaced, whilst the passenger side remains original. Door cards are generally good, although there is a little damage to the drivers door card as our pictures will show.
Overall a very usable interior which will give a new owner many years of service.
Looking good for the photoshoot on a wonderfully sunny day in The Peak District, the 350 SL is finished in the classic Mercedes colour of the 70’s Metallic Green
The car has had some body work undertaken over the past years, notably new sills, rear wheel arches, inner front wings etc in ’94, with the work totalling £3,618 .
Body work would appear to be sound, but on close inspection there are spots of surface rust showing through in places, notably where the hard top has rubbed around the tops of the rear wings.
There are a number of small chips on most panels, scratches on the boot lid and crazing on the front driver’s side wing top & hopefully the photos show these clearly.
All would appear to be superficial, but a little attention to detailing would improve the overall looks without excessive outlay.
This SL comes with a genuine hard top again painted in Metallic Green& the soft top appears to be in good condition and easily raised and lowered as required. It is a manually operated roof.
Driven by the vendor out to the shoot location, he stated that it drove very well with the engine & gearbox performing as they should.
Certainly, the engine started and ran smoothly when being moved around with no visible smoke or unusual noises from suspension, steering or engine & gearbox.
The Appeal
Soft top, wind in your hair motoring, throbbing V8 under the bonnet, automatic gearbox and Mercedes build quality, the SL has a lot going for it.
With a very strong enthusiastic owners club, there will always be like minded fellow owners to enjoy a drive with & with that large boot, somewhere to put overnight bags & the golf clubs to enjoy a stay over.
Roomy, comfortable and fast, an attractive alternative to early 70’s British classics.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the sellers discretion.
Please see our FAQ's here and our Terms & Conditions here
Please see our FAQs
here
and our Terms & Conditions
here
Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
More about buying with us
1972 Mercedes-Benz 350SL
About Max Bids
The max bid process allows you to bid without any hassle.
Enter your maximum bid and we will then bid on your behalf to ensure you're the highest bidder - just enough to keep you in the lead and only up until your maximum.
Anti-sniping
Car & Classic prevent auction snipers from bidding in the last seconds to win an auction.
Auctions are extended by 3 minutes if anyone bids within the last 2 minutes to allow other bidders to react and counter-bid.
Auto-bidding increments
If your maximum bid is equal to or below the reserve price, your maximum bid will be applied in full if you are the highest bidder.
If you are the highest bidder and place a maximum bid above the reserve, we will automatically put in the reserve as your first bid.
Once the reserve has been met, Car & Classic will make sure you are the highest bidder using only the bidding increments stated below.
We will keep you in the lead up until your maximum bid OR the increment closest to your maximum bid, providing your maximum bid is enough to cover the increment value.
Bid Amount
Increment
£0 to £9,999
£100.00
£10,000 to £49,999
£250.00
£50,000 to £99,999
£500.00
£100,000 +
£1,000.00
Automatically outbid immediately
When you place a max bid and are outbid immediately that means that another bidder has placed a max bid limit which is higher than yours.
You can bid again and we will use our automatic bid system to try and get you as the highest bidder.
Matching max bids
When there are two max bids of the same value, the one placed first remains the lead bidder.
Pre-authorisation
We may hold a pre-authorisation charge on your card until the end of the auction when the hold will be cancelled. If you win, we'll take a security deposit which counts towards the payment for the vehicle and isn't any extra cost to you.
What are pre-bids?
A pre-bid means you're able to place a bid before the official start of the auction.
You will be notified whether or not you are the highest bidder when the auction starts.
Problem with your bid
Bids are contractually binding. To help protect you, we have some rules in place if we think it's been mistyped. Please check and amend what you have entered.
