Lot Ended
Description
Ex-Billy 'Golden Boy' Walker; current lady owner for 31 years; only
64,000 miles from new; 13 service stamps; recent £10k spend; stainless steel
exhaust; loads of bills; clean MOT; a super example of this handsome roadster
from the era of 'Peak Benz'
The W107 series
Mercedes-Benz SL was built at a time when the Stuttgart firm still had a
reputation for building the best engineered cars in the world. To this day, no
car door closes with a more reassuring ‘thunk’ and everything about the car
contrives to make granite feel flimsy. No wonder it stayed in production
fundamentally unaltered from 1971 until 1989 – the longest production run of any
Mercedes to date.
The W107 came in a wide range
of engine sizes in both straight-six and V8 formats, but pick of the crop was
the 3-litre six that appeared in 1985. Employing a new KE Jetronic fuel
injection system linked to a modern engine management system, it produced 185bhp
and 188lb/ft of torque, sufficient to propel the car to 60mph in just 9.6
seconds on its way to a top speed of 130mph. Almost as quick as the larger V8
models, it was more economical and also handled better thanks to improved weight
distribution.
This lovely 300SL was first owned
by famous heavyweight boxer, actor and nightclub owner, Billy 'Golden Boy'
Walker, who lived as a tax exile on Jersey and took delivery in June
1989. Dating from the last year of production, it benefits from all the
improvements that were made to the W107 over its long life. It remained on the
island until 1993, our vendor acquiring it in May 1994 from Stratton of
Knutsford at which point it had still only covered 7,500
miles.
Now showing 63,963 miles, it comes with a
good service history comprising 13 stamps in the book, the last in March 2021 at
62,851 miles which gives an average service interval of just 4,900 miles –
pretty impressive by any standards.
There are
also many supporting invoices and other bills for routine service items -
for example new rear brake discs and pads in May 2017 at 56,572 miles, new
stainless steel front/middle exhaust sections in 2022 which cost almost
£1,000 and a new windscreen in 2003. More recently it went to Farringtons
of Knutsford in March and October 2024 when a new fuel tank and all new
fuel lines were fitted, along with various other items at a cost of over
£4,000.
In March this year it went to CMC in Bridgnorth when another
£4,900 was spent on attention to the brakes and handbrake. The steering box
was also overhauled and the alternator was replaced. They also carried out
repairs to the sills and jacking points, followed by cavity wax injection, the
vendor telling us that over £10k has been spent within the last
year.
The original owner’s handbook is also present and it has
an MOT until March 2026 with no advisories recorded.
Our vendor has loved owning this car and she tells us that it has
been kept in a heated and carpeted garage throughout her 31-year ownership,
being mainly used in fine weather only. We are told that the soft top is
in excellent condition although the hard top has not been removed for
the last couple of years.
As you can see in the
photos, it looks very smart indeed with lovely black leather upholstery
and just a couple of minor bodywork blemishes here and there (as pictured).
Starting instantly and running beautifully as we have driven it around on site,
it will be a fine way to get around during the long hot summer that lies ahead
of us.
NEW PHOTOS ADDED: Soft top in excellent
condition.
Please note: The K1 ALC
number shown in the photos is to be retained by the vendor and it will revert to
its original number F313 UPC prior to the sale when we will also get the new
V5C.
Consigned by James Dennison – 07970
309907 – james.dennison@brightwells.com