1986 MERCEDES 420 SL AUTO GREEN, FULL ENGINE REBUILD JUST COMPLETED.

I have owned this 1986 420SL for five years and for most of that time it has been my daily driver.   I have driven it all over the UK without fuss or drama and it always “cuts a dash”.  In ‘09 I did a two week 2500 miles trip to the Cote D'Azure and back.   It really was built for that kind of trip. but having said that even the most mundane trip to work or Sainsburys in the summer with the hood down makes you feel like Richard Gere at the start of American Gigolo (check out YouTube for inspiration) although as I am a short. middle-aged Scottish bloke with a few extra pounds a fertile imagination is required.  This isn't any bubble wrapped trailer queen. it's a properly sorted example in excellent condition and during my ownership I have invested in the car as required to keep it that way.

Model:

The R107 model was built 1971 to 1989 and as this is a 1986 car its post “face lift”.   What that meant for the new owner in 1986 was more modern front suspension. an all-new alloy 4200cc engine. new electronic Bosch fuel injection. larger 15inch wheels and some external cosmetic changes. most notably a front air dam under the bumpers.   It also meant improved rust prevention with key parts benefiting from galvanising.   Having said that all SLs rust and they all leak.   Often that's connected.   I have put in a lot of time correcting. preventing and making sure that this example is sorted.   Another popular SL trick is to look showroom shiny and mask untold and expensive horrors.   This example is shiny but the horrors have been eliminated.

Engine

Fitted with a 4200cc V8.   Mmmm power.   Yes it's got plenty of power but an SL will scare the pants off you if you take it round a corner too fast. however on a motorway or good A-road it is sublime.   Never stressed. never under-powered it just wafts along and gives you more and more power.   I have just spent an absolute fortune having the engine stripped and all required parts replaced.   I will be honest and say it made me cry when the bill came in but now it runs as sweet as and the 123000 miles its done is pretty much irrelevant post rebuild.   It's good for another lifetime!  The engine bay has not been detailed.   The car has a four speed automatic transmission which operates exactly as it should.   It has an electronic switchable function with two settings.   Standard and Economy.   Mercedes Benz and my understanding of the work “Economy” is clearly different but that does mean that the car starts off in second gear so its handy for traction poor situations.   Speaking of which the car is fitted with ABS.   It was also fitted with Cruise Control.   This stopped working a few years ago and I had a Tempomat CPU fault diagnosed.   These are still available from your friendly Mercedes Benz agent if you are minded to fix.   I am not.

Body:

Mercedes Benz called the colour Blue Green Metallic.   No fancy names there then.   Depending on the light it does tend to look different but it really suits the R107.   The roadster top was replaced by me about four years ago and is superb condition including its plastic rear windows.   I fitted a brown “mohair” one to replace the factory black and it goes well with Blue Green Metallic.   Like every SL it has its factory hard top complete with heated rear window.   This is in good condition.

This is a 28 year old car so there is the odd small paint imperfection but overall it's brilliant.   I have had bits of paint work done over my ownership mostly because I dropped the hard top on it rear deck when I was taking it off one spring.   Top tip… get two big lads to help you remove the hard top.   In 2012 I had the sills and rear wheel arches stripped back and re finished.   They were in very good condition but good to fix a couple of ropey bits and future proof.   At the same time I had the underside checked. a small hole repaired in the floor and all the rust proofing replaced where it was needed.  

Because I am honest and have absolutely nothing to hide with that car there is an opportunity for further improvement on the driver's side rear panel below the bumper.   This isn't imminent but is for some time in the future.

All the bright work and chrome is in good condition.

The car is fitted with head light wash/wipe.   They have never worked while I have had the car.

Wheels:

The car is fitted with correct “flat faced” alloys. which were restored in 2011.   I have just fitted four new Michelin tyres.

Interior:

The interior is beige with checked cloth seats.   As you can see from the photo the driver's seat base is worn and needs reupholstered.   I could have done this as the material is available but I would just add the cost to price of the car and the new owner may want to consider alternatives such as leather or MB MTex.   The carpets are ok but 28 years old so at some point you may wish to change.   I am including a set of genuine MB fitted rubber mats which help protect the carpets.  

New owners could specify rear seats as an option.   Suitable for children or adults with no legs. these are not fitted to this car.   What you have is a much more convenient parcel shelf.  However a previous owner did fit rear seatbelts so retro fitting rear seats is possible or if you have short friends with well-padded arses they can join you on that road trip.

The dash and central console are finished in real burr walnut.   I have installed a modern Radio/CD with hidden in the glove compartment IPod connectivity.  

Equipment:

Right fancy for 1986.   ABS. power windows. power steering. heat reflective glass. heated & remote adjustable door mirrors. heated windscreen washer jets and as previously mentioned Cruise Control and Headlight Cleaning (neither of which work).   The car was fitted with a factory alarm but this went haywire and has been removed.

Extras:  I am including in the price (assuming I get the price I want) a foldable hard top stand for summer roof storage and an expensive folding wind deflector which transforms the car on those roof down. high speed blasts down the AutoRoute du soleil.

Fuel Consumption;

Really? You are looking at a 4. 2 litre V8 and you want to know about fuel consumption?  Wouldn't Sir/Madam prefer a Kia Picanto?  OK then. about town its bloody dreadful.  17 mpg if you are lucky and on a longer trip 25-28 mpg.  Likes expensive Super Unleaded too.  

Viewing:

I am in Edinburgh and the car may be viewed here.   I appreciate that if you are considering it and live a distance away you will want to know if it's as good as I say.   I am happy to provide any further information that I can by phone or email. take any photos or make the car available for any independent inspection that you may wish to commission.  

What I am not prepared to put up with is any nonsense “agents” with “customers waiting” to get in touch.   Don't.   You don't have customers waiting. you don't know what this car is clearly and I will hunt you down and eat you if you waste my time.   Equally if you live outside of the United Kingdom then please feel free to disregard this advert unless you are willing to come to Edinburgh with a big wedge of Sterling in you hand.

Buying and collecting:

I am asking £14. 00 for the car.   This is the correct price.   Yes you can get one for £8000 or so and if that is what you want then please feel free and I wish you good luck.   Equally a concourse low mileage example can be found if you have upwards of £25. 00 to spend.   As I have said this is a correct. well sorted and useable classic SL which has a fully built engine and all those lovely rusty and leaky bits fixed.   I've had the car independently valued and my price is correct.   While I would be open to a very. very close sensible offer I am prepared to starve or sell my body rather than let this car go for a silly price.

Payment either by Bank Transfer or Cash is required.

The car will be collectable from Edinburgh or if you cover my expenses I will deliver within a sensible distance but full payment will need to be in my bank account before I hand over the keys and paperwork.  

So if you are interested and want to get “flashy in your Mercedes Benz” please get in touch.  

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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