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Mercedes R107

Mercedes 500SL fitting up continues

September 30, 2024

To help with the fitting up of our Mercedes 500SL Jon has used the Mercedes 380SL that we currently have in The Classic Lounge as a good reference point.

As with all of our restorations the technicians and marketing teams here at Bridge Classic Cars work very well together to ensure that plenty of images are taken throughout the entire process

This makes the fitting up process much easier if any questions are asked. Here we have images of the bonnet furniture being fitted back up.

Some Special New Arrivals – Mercedes 300SL and Morgan 4/4

March 26, 2024

Arriving to us via H&H Classic Auctioneers, from world renowned luxury and performance car specialist Hilton and Moss, here we have the absolutely stunning 1988 Mercedes 300SL. Being a 500SL R107 owner myself I have a real soft spot for this model. In my opinion, one of the coolest cars to own, as an everyday run around or a show winner. Like many classics, over the years we have witness a gradual rise in rarity and value on the R107, thanks to the increase in market value of the previous models.

Let’s discuss our latest addition. The 300SL was introduced at the September 1985 Frankfurt Motor Show, the ultimate six-cylinder derivative of Mercedes-Benz’s renowned R107 series. Sharing the same two-door monocoque bodyshell, all-round independent coil-sprung suspension and power-assisted steering as its V8 brethren it proved notably more fuel efficient. Fitted with a four-speed automatic transmission as standard, it further benefited from improved anti-corrosion treatment and ABS brakes. Only in production between 1985 and 1989, just 13,443 300SLs are thought to have been despatched worldwide.

Our stunning 300SL was delivered new by Mercedes-Benz main dealer Callanders of Glasgow to Cheshire Products Ltd on the 18th of March 1988.

It stayed with the company as a director’s vehicle for six years before passing into the hands of its second owner, a Mr Ian Jeffery, on the 25th March 1994. Mr Jeffery clearly liked the car as he kept it for the next 24 years.

The previous owner, Mr Martin Mitchell, acquired the Mercedes on the 25th of May 2018. Finished in Nautical Blue Metallic with a contrasting Cream leather interior, this Mercedes roadster is fitted with an automatic transmission and comes with its original factory hardtop.

The overall condition of this classic 300SL is very good and stamps in the Service Booklet together with the old MOTs and the invoices on file seem to support the 85,611 miles currently showing on the odometer. The current vendor has in recent times spent well over £15,000 with a reputable specialist to recommission the Mercedes and bring it up to its current lovely condition. Ready to hit the road in style for some summertime cruising.

Also new to us here at Bridge Classic Cars is something really special. 1 of just 142 cars made to celebrate the Morgan 4/4 entering its seventy-first year of production.

1 of only two ‘1952’ examples complete with appropriately numbered steering wheel and St Christopher Plaque.

Ford Duratec 1800cc DOHC engine and five-speed manual transmission. Well maintained with a large history file. Entering its seventy-first year in 2006, the Morgan 4/4 was already well established as the world’s longest-running production model. To celebrate, the Malvern manufacturer commissioned a run of 142 ‘70th Anniversary Edition’ cars (two per build year). Each decade was given its own ‘identity’ in terms of paint colours, soft-top designs and upholstery etc. Although, every ‘70th Anniversary Edition’ featured a fold-flat windscreen, bespoke dashboard, sheepskin bonnet strap, rubber mats and steel wheels with chrome hubcaps not to mention a St Christoper badge and wood-rim Moto Lita steering wheel both of which were inscribed with the model year it represented. Mechanically identical to a standard Morgan 4/4 1800, the ‘70th Anniversary Edition’ cars were powered by a Ford Duratec 1800cc DOHC four-cylinder engine allied to five-speed manual transmission. Among Morgan’s most sought after limited edition models, the ‘70th Anniversary Edition’ cars still enjoy a strong following.

One of the two ‘1952’ cars, chassis 4L00134 is finished in the stunning combination of Duck Egg Blue with Black leather upholstery and Dark Blue weather equipment. Supplied new via Thomson & Potter of Perth, ‘SH06 NKR’ had covered some 11,988 miles by the time it entered the current (second) ownership during October 2020. Built to commemorate the year that Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II took the throne.

Mercedes SL Front Brakes

November 4, 2023

Jon has fitted up the new bleed nipples to the freshly painted calipers.

The bolts have been cleaned and painted

We have cleaned up and reused the pad sensor wires and fitted the calipers to the car.

The old pads have been reused as they are nearly new and we used a new fitting kit to secure the pads.

New front shock absorbers have been fitted.

The Pursuit of Perfection – The 1987 Mercedes 500SL in Colour

April 1, 2022

The 1987 Mercedes 500SL has been moved from the preparation area at Bridge Classic Cars into the paint shop and then, into our in-house paint booth/oven.

The paint and body team, along with the fabrication shop, have spent a lot of time getting the classic R107 ready for its date with the paint booth making sure each part, panel and piece was perfect before beginning the painting process.

The car is being finished in a classic Mercedes colour, Selenet Grey. Most notably seen on the classic 280SL Pagodas, it was chosen to compliment the beautiful burgundy red interior that the trim team have made for the car.

So, with the car ready it was time for Alan and Nick to go into the booth with the car and lay down the first coat onto the body of the SL. Starting with the engine bay.

Alan began under the transmission tunnel and worked his way up and across the firewall making sure every inch was covered to give each coat an even and flowing look. The inner wheel arches and front core support finished off the first stage. Then, Alan began to work getting the scuttle panel and windscreen surround shot in the dark, deep grey and worked his way back towards the boot on the classic Mercedes.

The rear quarter panels and rocker panels were coloured line by line. Each gently overlapping on the previous to give the consistent and uniform look needed to achieve the flawless finish that comes with Selenet Grey. But with the car having its first coat complete, it was time to let it settle and get the paint mixed for the next round.

The 2nd coat was done in the same order as the first. Alan making sure to get every exposed piece of bodywork coated properly for the uniform look. Again, it was all about consistency and movement in order to achieve the finish on the classic R107. And once the 2nd layer had flashed off, Alan waited for the prescribed time and then shot the 3rd coat to finish off the car.

With that, it was left in the ovens to completely cure and harden. Once it has completely hardened, it will be carefully transferred back to the preparation area in order for polishing and preparation for the next stage.

Prepped and Ready – The 1987 Mercedes 500SL Masked and Ready for Paint

March 25, 2022

The 1987 Mercedes 500SL has had all its fabrication work completed by the fabrication team at Bridge Classic Cars and been moved into the paint preparation area.

The car has had several crucial pieces of the car’s metalwork repaired by the fabrication shop. The paint and body team then worked on getting the car reprepared for the spray booth by sanding down the panels and masking the car ready for its date with the spray booth.

One Step Closer – More Bodywork and Removing the Window Regulators on the 1987 Mercedes 500SL

February 16, 2022

The body team at Bridge Classic Cars are continuing at full pace to get the 1987 Mercedes R107 500SL ready to head into the spray booth.

Mauro has been working on getting every single surface of the iconic grand tourer into perfect shape for our painters to lay down the first coats of ”Selenit Grau”. That is the new chosen colour of the 500SL, originally available on the 280SL Pagodas in the 1960s.

The body team have also worked on getting the window regulators and all brackets, hinges, door strikers etc off of the car and catalogued. Not only for assessment but also to gain access to the inside of the doors to prep them for their new colour.

It’s all moving ahead with the 1987 Mercedes 500SL, and we’re excited to show you the next phase of the restoration on this classic Mercedes.

Final Parts – Assessing Parts on the 1987 Mercedes 500SL

February 8, 2022

The in-house restoration technicians at Bridge Classic Cars have been working through the final parts and pieces for the 1987 Mercedes 500SL restoration which is in our Suffolk HQ workshop.

Tom, one of our in-house restoration technicians, has been going through parts for the 1987 Mercedes R107 500SL to check their condition and to make sure anything missing can be sourced ahead of time.

Each piece has been carefully photographed and noted for the car.

Carrying On – Inspection and Cataloguing Parts from the 1987 Mercedes 500SL

January 25, 2022

Tamas, one of our amazing in-house restoration technicians here at Bridge Classic Cars, has been inspecting and cataloguing the parts and pieces from the 1987 Mercedes 500SL restoration project we are currently carrying out.

Each individual piece has been carefully inspected and noted down on a manifest to identify if anything is missing and what condition each part is in. This is a very important part of any restoration project we undertake here so if anything is needed to be ordered or sent away for refurbishment it can be done in time for the cars final assembly.

Tamas has gone through hundreds and hundreds of parts for this car, each of them has been individually wrapped and then put away into our parts department for safe keeping.

Making a Start – Body and Paintwork Begins on the 1987 Mercedes 500SL

January 25, 2022

The stunning 1987 Mercedes 500SL that is in for restoration at Bridge Classic Cars for our director, Craig, has started its journey towards completion.

The bodywork and paintwork are the next jobs on the list to get started on which has been entrusted to Garry. He will get the body of the R107 prepared and ready for the first coats of colour to be laid across this beautiful 1980s Mercedes.

Expect to see lots more on the 1987 Mercedes 500SL very soon on the Bridge Classic Cars news page.

All in Order – Cleaning and Organising Parts from the 1987 Mercedes 500SL

January 13, 2022

The Bridge Classic Cars in-house restoration team have been busy cleaning and cataloguing the parts for the 1987 Mercedes 500SL which is in with ourselves for restoration. Our in-house restoration technician Tamas has been meticulously going through every component which was removed from the car to evaluate and note its condition and part number if needed.

Some of these pieces will be sent out to specialists for refurbishment or refinishing but others will have particular treatments and processes done to them in-house.

To see all of the parts our technician has gone through, see the gallery below!