Finding a pristine version of practically any car that’s 42 years old is a tall order, but when the car in question is a highly desirable Mercedes-Benz 500SL the odds are stacked firmly against you.
Yet that’s exactly what the team at Britain’s SLSHOP unearthed with this time-capsule 1982 Mercedes-Benz 500SL, still in factory new condition more than four-decades after it was purchased.
Despite its age, the classic Benz has never been registered or driven on UK roads, its odometer showing just 42 miles since it left the factory more than 42 years ago. We’ll leave you to do the maths on how that averages out.
SLSHOP bills itself as one of the world’s largest and most respected classic Mercedes-Benz specialists. Its founder and managing director Sam Bailey said the car is believed to be the only original, unregistered 500SL (R107) in existence outside of the Mercedes-Benz Museum, Stuttgart.
“We first learned of it 15 years ago, when [the owner] Mr Hough approached me at the NEC Classic Car Show, and we agreed that one day SLSHOP would become its custodian,” says Mr Bailey.
Purchased new on the 30th November 1982 by a Mr Hough of Gnosall, Staffordshire for £24,400 (over £87,000 in today’s money), the immaculate right-hand drive vehicle is finished in Blue Green Metallic and came equipped with optional extras including air conditioning, heated seats, ABS, leather, rear seats and metallic paint.
After purchase it was trailered to the owner’s home in Gnosall, Staffordshire where it was meticulously preserved in a heated, de-humidified garage for 42 years.
The owner, a watchmaker by trade, even used his unique skills to create a hallmarked sterling silver Mercedes-Benz badge that still accompanies the vehicle.
Other period-correct details found with the 500SL include original factory stickers throughout the vehicle, Waxoyl protective coating still present on the engine and exhaust, plus original sales documentation and incomplete registration forms.
Mr Bailey said the 500SL was the closest reflection available of the original R107 SL blueprints and would be retained by SLSHOP as a reference point for its technicians and a benchmark for the wider Mercedes-Benz community.
“This car will never be offered for sale and instead, we are creating a dedicated climate-controlled space where this remarkable time capsule will remain on display as a lasting tribute to Mr Hough’s passion,” said Mr Bailey.
The 500SL (R107) was first introduced to global markets in 1980 and features a 5.0-litre V8 (M117 E50) producing c.240 brake horsepower, offering a sub-eight second 0-60 mph time, making it competitive with Italian supercars of the time.
The luxury coupe and convertible range remained in production until 1989, with a minor facelift and mechanical upgrade in 1986 when the M117 E60 was introduced with more sophisticated emissions controls.
Creature comforts offered with the 500SL included standard cruise control, headlamp wash/wipe and electric windows. From 1986, optional factory extras included air conditioning, heated leather seats, anti-lock braking system (ABS), rear leather seats, metallic paintwork, leather interior, airbag, outside temperature gauge, sump shield, theft warning device, tow bar and an Orthopaedic front seat backrest.
The 500SL will be placed on display at SLSHOP’s Warwickshire headquarters, and will also appear at Mercedes-Benz World for a limited public showing in partnership with Mercedes-Benz UK.
