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Introduced in 1986 as part of a general overhaul of the R107 range, the Mercedes-Benz 420 SL replaced the outgoing 380 SL. The M116 V8 engine featured once more but in enlarged 4.2 litre form that produced some 215 horsepower.

The 420 SL is the rarest of the R107 variants with only 2,148 units produced worldwide of a total of 237,287 SLs. In our opinion the 420 SL is also desirable as the most powerful V8 R107 that doesn’t feature the ugly rubber boot spoiler of the 500 SL and 560 SL.

The final R107 was built on the 4th August 1989 and our car is believed to have been built in March 1989, close to the end of an incredible eighteen-year production run.

Our 420 SL was specified with an Arctic White exterior and hard top, Royal Blue leather interior and dark blue soft top. The 420 SL came as standard with a limited slip differential, electric windows, fire extinguisher, additional indicator lamps, paintwork preservation, heat-insulating glass all-round, heated rear window and headlamp-wiper. Our car was also specified with the rare and desirable rear seat option.

Code Description
238 CITY DRIVE LIGHT FOR GREAT BRITAIN
256 REAR AXLE WITH LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL
341 ADDITIONAL BLINKER LAMPS
362 RHD VEHICLES AS PER EC REGULATIONS (CONTROL CODE)
461 INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND
524 PAINTWORK - PRESERVATION
565 REAR SEATS USED ON SL MODELS
583 ELECTRIC WINDOW LIFTERS (FRONT DOORS)
592 HEAT-INSULATING GLASS, ALL-AROUND, HEATED REAR WINDOWPANE, BAND FILTER
603 HEADLAMP WIPER UNIT AND OIL FOR REAR AXLE WITH LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL, IN CANISTERS AND CONTAINERS
613 HEADLAMP LEFT-HAND TRAFFIC
682 FIRE EXTINGUISHER
744 DARK BLUE FOLDING TOP FABRIC 5010

Supplied new to Guernsey dealer Jacksons Garage, the original stamped service book shows the pre-delivery inspection was carried out on the 10th May 1989 and was registered on the 15th May 1989 to first owner Mr. Raymond Bushby of Guernsey.

By January 1999 the car was on the mainland and in the possession of Diane Eccles of Bramley, Guildford before being sold in January 2001 to its last registered owner who cherished the car for some twenty-three years.

The car comes with a spare key and remote control central locking fobs and original Mercedes-Benz manuals wallet containing owner’s manual, stamped service book, 1989 workshop directory, Sigma remote control key central locking manual, warranty card, Blaupunkt radio cassette installation guide and manual, ‘First Aid and Safety at the Roadside’ leaflet and fuel consumption test leaflet. The First Aid kit is still in place in the boot and the factory tag is still attached to the spare wheel.

In addition, a comprehensive history file accompanies the car and contains many invoices and MOT certificates which document the minimal mileage covered.

Our 420 SL is a fine example having been maintained by a combination of main dealers and specialists for its long-term owner. Recent works include replacement of the rear brake discs and pads in December 2022. A new stainless steel exhaust system was fitted in April 2023 along with various new trim strips, new stainless steel windscreen wipers, new high-performance battery and a re-cored radiator. The underside also received a fresh coating of underseal. The car recently received an oil service in July 2024 and has a fresh MOT valid until August 2025.

In summary, this is a desirable and rare example of the R107 range in excellent condition and finished in a very attractive colour combination. In addition, its rare rear seat option, low mileage and low ownership only add to its considerable appeal.

Recorded history:

17/09/1990, service, 00,613 miles
30/06/1993, Jacksons Garage, service, 01,225 miles
19/03/1996, Mercedes-Benz Cross Keys (Taunton) Ltd. service, 01,866 miles
11/12/1996, Mercedes-Benz Cross Keys (Taunton) Ltd. service, 02,282 miles
04/04/1997, Mercedes-Benz Cragside Ltd Harrogate, service, 03,737 miles
24/02/1998, Straight Eight, New Forest, service, 04,045 miles
01/02/1999, Straight Eight, New Forest, service, 07,501 miles
29/03/2000, Mercedes-Benz Puttocks Ltd. Guildford, service, 09,221 miles
08/01/2001, MOT, 09,267 miles
28/12/2001, Mercedes-Benz Greenoaks Ltd. Slough. service, 14,483 miles
04/01/2002, MOT, 22,087 miles
05/12/2002, Mercedes-Benz Rawsons TMS Ltd. Tonbridge, service, 24,001 miles
02/01/2003, Mercedes-Benz Greenoaks Ltd. Maidenhead, maintenance, 27,004 miles
03/01/2003, MOT, 27,007 miles
09/05/2003, Mercedes-Benz Rawsons TMS Ltd. Tonbridge, service, 27,906 miles
07/04/2005, MOT, 29,111 miles
10/07/2004, Drake & Fletcher Ltd. Mercedes-Benz Maidstone, service, 29,980 miles
18/01/2005, MOT, 30,238 miles
27/06/2005, Trident Mercedes-Benz specialist Uxbridge, service, 30,934 miles
02/02/2006, MOT, 32,379 miles
07/03/2006, JP Autos Berks, maintenance, 32,790 miles
14/04/2007, JP Autos Berks, service, 35,948 miles
05/03/2008, MOT, 38,103 miles
06/08/2008, JP Autos Berks, maintenance, 38,333 miles
02/03/2009, MOT, 39,372 miles
11/03/2010, MOT, 41,198 miles
17/03/2011/MOT, 42,917 miles
14/03/2012, MOT, 44,135 miles
18/02/2013, JP Autos Berks, service, 45,375 miles
21/02/2013, MOT, 45,378 miles
01/04/2014, MOT, 47,258 miles
01/04/2014, JP Autos Berks,, service, [45,375] miles
18/02/2015, Martin Eton Ltd. Bucks, service, 49,066 miles
15/05/2015, MOT, 49,065 miles
10/12/2015, Martin Eton Ltd. Bucks, maintenance, 51,000 miles
18/02/2016, Martin Eton Ltd. Bucks, service, 52,119 miles
16/05/2016, MOT, 52,119 miles
18/05/2017, MOT, 54,160 miles
18/05/2017, Martin Eton Ltd. Bucks, service, 54,169 miles
28/09/2017, Martin Eton Ltd. Bucks, maintenance, 54,948 miles
16/05/2018, MOT, 55,961 miles
17/05/2018, Martin Eton Ltd. Bucks, service, 55,961 miles
14/05/2019, MOT, 56,381 miles
07/06/2019, Martin Eton Ltd. Bucks, service, 56,381 miles
04/06/2019, Martin Eton Ltd. Bucks, maintenance, 56,482 miles
19/11/2020, MOT, 58,001 miles
15/12/2020, Martin Eton Ltd. Bucks, service, 58,001 miles
01/12/2021, MOT, 59,039 miles
11/12/2021, Martin Eton Ltd. Bucks, service, 59,039 miles
07/12/2022, MOT, 59,863 miles
10/12/2022, Martin Eton Ltd. Bucks, service, 59,683 miles
10/04/2023, GT Vehicle Solutions Reading, service
10/01/2024, MOT, 61,095 miles
30/07/2024, GT Vehicle Solutions Reading, service, 61,110 miles
06/08/2024, MOT, 61,165 miles