1971 Mercedes R107 350 SL FOR SALE
1971 Mercedes R107 350 SL – Grey Market, Euro Spec Import
SOLD on Bringatrailer.com – September 2022
- Manganese Brown Metallic (Color Code 480)
- Parchment Leather w/ tan soft top and body colored hard top
- 4 speed Manual Transmission
- Retains original Euro lights, bumpers and gauges
- Rear seat option
- Air Conditioning (working!)
- Manual, roll up windows
- Same owner since early 1980s
- Odometer: 263,727 KMs (163,872 miles)
A rare and unique opportunity to acquire a very early R107 SL, and best of all, it is equipped with a 4-speed manual transmission.
This car has been owned by the same gentleman in Minneapolis, MN who purchased it in the Netherlands while working as an expat there for 3M corporation in the early 1980s. On his commute to work he drove by a Mercedes dealership every day. Eventually he purchased two Mercedes from that dealer, this 1971 350 SL, and a 1967 Mercedes W112 300 SE Coupe. Both cars were exported to the United States when he returned from his overseas work assignment. Click video at left to view the 8+ minute test drive.
Originally a black (040) car, this early R107, built in October of 1971, was repainted in the period color of ‘Manganese Brown Metallic’ by the Dutch Mercedes-Benz dealer just prior to the owner’s purchase of the car in 1983.
Clearly, it has been driven and enjoyed, with almost 264,000 kilometers on its odometer (almost 164k miles). The repaint shows some cracking and crazing, the original leather seats are worn. It leaks some engine oil but runs strong and shifts well. It’s surely a car worth investing in and continuing to maintain and enjoy or an ideal platform for a complete restoration given that it’s such an early example with many unique details typical of the first R107 cars.
The car was regularly maintained at Bruce Kelly’s ‘Lake Country Classics’ (now defunct since Bruce’s passing in 2018) in Minneapolis during the late 90s and into the 2000s.
A pre purchase inspection was performed In July of 2022 by ‘The Toy Box Repair’ in St. Paul, MN, upon our request, to get an overview of the mechanical condition of the car before putting it on the market.
A folder full of paperwork is included with the car. All import, EPA and DOT documentation is present with the car as well as various service receipts detailing mechanical work performed on the car during the current owner’s almost 40 years with the car.
The vehicle information contained herein is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to tobinmotorworks.com. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. Vehicle is subject to prior sale. We assume no liability for errors or omissions. We are happy to facilitate vehicle inspection by any outside inspector or buyer’s representative prior to your purchase.