A rare 5-speed manual R107 280SL with a very good history file

A very pretty R107 280SL finished in Classic White with Navy MB Tex, fitted with the desirable 5-speed manual gearbox and showing just 67,000 miles.

This is an unusually specified SL, not only because of the manual gearbox, but also because it is combined with factory air conditioning, rear seats and electric windows.

Most UK-delivered R107 SLs were specified with automatic gearboxes, so the combination of the lively six-cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission gives this car a noticeably more engaging character. It feels lighter, more responsive and more sporting than the typical automatic SL, while the long fifth gear makes it very comfortable for longer journeys. It would suit someone looking for a more involving SL for touring, summer use, or even the occasional classic rally.

The history file with this car is particularly charming. Sometimes the paperwork supplied with a classic car tells almost as much of a story as the car itself, and that is very much the case here. The first owner retained every piece of correspondence from his initial search through to the eventual purchase of this very car. At the time he was working in Saudi Arabia and bought the car through Diplomatic & Tourist Sales of Piccadilly.

Interestingly, he had initially been looking for a Thistle Green 280SL with light brown trim, but there appears to have been some difficulty in sourcing the right car, largely because he specifically wanted a manual gearbox. The file contains several letters discussing various cars that were available, none of which seem to have been quite suitable, until a letter dated 15th August offered this car, which was then located in Zeebrugge.

Since 1984 the car has had five owners, although the second owner was the wife of the first. The third owner was a family friend, who kept the car from 2005 until 2016. After a year with a gentleman in Chichester, we supplied the car to its most recent owners in 2017.

The bodywork is in very good condition, with a rust-free bulkhead and an excellent chassis, helped by recent works totalling over £5,000. The paintwork presents very nicely, and the car retains its correct colour-coded stainless steel wheel trims, fitted with matching Michelin tyres.

Inside, the Navy MB Tex trim is generally in good order, although there is a split to the driver's seat base, visible in the photographs. The dark blue convertible hood is understood to be the original hood and, while still presentable, is now showing its age after 41 years and does have a split that we can repair for a new keeper.

On the road the car drives very well, with the manual gearbox giving it a particularly enjoyable character. All accessories appear to operate as intended, with the exception of the air conditioning, which is not currently blowing cold.

The history file is excellent, including the aforementioned early correspondence from the first owner, the original service book, a large folder of invoices and receipts, and old MoTs going back many years. A new battery has also just been fitted and as well as a service in 2024, and very little mileage, we are carrying out a fresh service prior to delivery.

This is a rare 5-speed manual 280SL with relatively low mileage, certainly low ownership and a very good history file. A particularly enjoyable example to drive.

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