Discovered in Stratford-upon-Avon, the unique example has been preserved in factory condition for over four decades, having never driven on public roads.
British company SLSHOP has unveiled a true time capsule: a 1982 Mercedes-Benz 500SL (R107) with just 42 miles on the odometer since leaving the production line more than 42 years ago.
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The vehicle, featuring right-hand drive and a Blue Green Metallic finish, has never been registered or driven on UK roads, remaining in completely original and unrestored condition. According to SLSHOP, it is likely the only factory-original, unregistered 500SL outside the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart.
Owned by a passionate watchmaker
Purchased on November 30, 1982 for £24,400 (equivalent to over £87,000 today), the car was bought by Mr. Hough, a watchmaker from Staffordshire known for his precision and meticulous attention to detail. The 500SL was towed to his home in Gnosall, where it remained in a heated, dehumidified garage for more than four decades.
As a personal touch, the owner crafted a Sterling silver Mercedes-Benz emblem, which still accompanies the vehicle.
Original 1982 details perfectly preserved
Among the car’s highlights are features identical to those found in a Mercedes-Benz showroom in the 1980s:
- Original factory stickers completely intact
- Waxoyl coating applied to the engine and exhaust
- Optional package worth £2,331 (£8,360 in today’s value), including air conditioning, heated seats, ABS, leather upholstery, rear seats, and metallic paint
- Complete absence of corrosion
- Original sales documents and V55/5 registration forms still incomplete
A tribute to automotive preservation
Sam Bailey, founder and managing director of SLSHOP, commented:
“This 500SL is the closest reflection of the original R107 SL design — a reference for our technicians and the entire Mercedes-Benz community dedicated to preserving these wonderful machines.”
Bailey also revealed that the car was first discovered 15 years ago, when Mr. Hough approached him during the NEC Classic Car Show. Since then, both agreed that SLSHOP would become the guardian of this one-of-a-kind example.
According to Bailey, the vehicle will never be put up for sale. It will be kept in a dedicated, climate-controlled space at SLSHOP’s headquarters in Warwickshire as a permanent tribute to its former owner’s passion.
Additionally, the 500SL will be displayed to the public at Mercedes-Benz World, in partnership with Mercedes-Benz UK, allowing enthusiasts to admire one of the purest expressions of German engineering from the 1980s.
Source and images: SLSHOP. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
