An unregistered Mercedes 500 SL from 1982 has been unearthed in nearly new condition in the United Kingdom. The mileage is just 68 kilometers.
How did this find happen? The Mercedes 500 SL R107 barely left the factory before it ended up in a garage in Staffordshire. Under a perfectly fitting cover, it rested there in a heated and dehumidified room for 42 years, until it has now finally seen the light of day.
Its owner, a man named Mr. Hough, purchased the car on November 30, 1983, for £24,400 … which today is approximately €87,000. Why he never registered the car and left it hidden in the garage with just 68 kilometers on the odometer remains unclear.
The Mercedes was unearthed by Sam Bailey, the founder of “The SL Shop”, which specializes in Mercedes in general and this model in particular.
42 years old, but like new
Why is this find so special? Due to the exceptional storage conditions, the car is in pristine condition. The paint still shines in Blue Green Metallic, as if it had just come off the production line. Signs of oxidation? None!
The factory sticker is still present. The engine and exhaust are covered with Waxoyl protective wax. It rides on its original Michelin XWX tires. Inside, the leather and wood trim shine. In addition to leather upholstery and metallic paint, optional equipment includes air conditioning, seat heating, and ABS.
What happens now with the car? Sam Bailey explains that the car will definitely not be offered for sale. It is to be displayed in a specially designed, climate-controlled, and publicly accessible space to serve as a reference for future restorations.
The expert explains that this is the truest reflection of the original plans for the R107 he has ever seen. Moreover, it is said to be the only unrestored and unregistered example of a 500 SL outside the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart. Here, another remarkable car find is discussed: In 1975, a new car was buried as a time capsule: Half a century later, this nightmare resurfaced.
