1972 Mercedes-Benz 350SL

This 1972 Mercedes-Benz 350SL roadster was subject to a restoration with a mechanical overhaul in 2020 that involved work performed to the ignition, fuel system, cooling system, exhaust, and more. This SL was reportedly originally sold new in Denair, California, and has resided in that region its entire life, spending 14 years in storage before being subject to restoration. Cosmetic updates were carried out with the installation of new upholstery, door panels, and other finishes, and the entire interior received sound-deadening material at the time. The 4.5-liter V8 is paired with a 3-speed automatic transmission, and the drivetrain was subject to a professional inspection by a Mercedes-Benz specialty facility and determined to be in good mechanical condition. Finished in blue with a dark blue soft top over a reupholstered MB-Tex interior, this first-year R107 350SL is now offered with the optional hardtop and a clear California title in the seller’s name.

AUTOHUNTER UPDATE 07-05-2021 Listing revised:  The odometer currently shows 29,112 miles, but true mileage is unknown.

Marketed as a personal luxury car, the 350SL roadster hit the United States market in the early 1970s as a two-seater featuring quad sealed-beam headlights and generous chrome accents. This example reportedly spent nearly 15 years in long-term storage before being subject to a restoration in 2020. The exterior finishes were repainted in blue and retained use of the car’s original brightwork, while the soft top was refurbished to optimal condition. The trunk lid seal and soft top boot seal were replaced at the time as well.

Steel 14” wheels with color-matched Mercedes-branded covers are wrapped in whitewall tires that were replaced in 2020. An alignment was performed at the same time, and all four brake calipers were replaced and rotors resurfaced, along with the replacement of brake lines, master cylinder, and fluid reservoir.

The interior offers bucket seating for two and received a complete restoration in 2020 including replacement blue MB-Tex upholstery, with matching door panels, carpets, pillar trim, dash pad, and sun visors. Sound-deadening material was installed in the floor pans at the same time. Amenities include a radio, a heater, and a dash-mounted analog clock.

Instrumentation includes a 160-mph speedometer and a 7k-rpm tachometer, along with accompanying gauges for fuel level, coolant temperature, and oil pressure. The six-digit mechanical odometer reads 29,112 miles, but true mileage is unknown.

The 4.5-liter V8 features Bosch fuel injection and was subject to a comprehensive mechanical overhaul in 2020 that involved the replacement of the spark plugs, spark plug wires, points, coils and resistors, air filter, and vacuum lines. The cooling system was flushed and the hoses were replaced, the windshield washer pump was repaired and new lines installed, and the following items were also replaced as part of the restoration: fan belts, exhaust pipe, muffler, engine control module, turn signal switch, water temperature sensor, ignition control module, blower motor, air intake sensor, auxiliary fan sensor, and more. A subsequent inspection by Bavarian Auto Haus confirms optimal cylinder firing and fuel injection pressure, and the drivetrain is reported to be leak-free at this time. Power is directed to the rear wheels via a 3-speed automatic transmission and a gated shift lever.

The sale includes the car’s original clock.

AUTOHUNTER UPDATE 07-05-2021 Listing revised:  The odometer currently shows 29,112 miles, but true mileage is unknown.