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
In our new feature, Thursday Time capsule, we look at classic cars celebrating significant birthdays in 2020. 2020 marks the 70th anniversary of the classic
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.
2020 marks the 70th anniversary of the classic Morgan Plus 4, a classic that was developed and released in 1950. This highly sought after sports car graced the scene with its 2088cc standard Vanguard engine which was installed on a 4/4 chassis.
To mark its 70th anniversary, Morgan released 20 special edition Plus 4’s in March which sport a Platinum Metallic paint to promote the nuances in Morgan’s iconic visual design. What is particularly unique about this limited edition model is the gold chassis. It is the first time they’ve been developed in this colour, and will also be the last as they commemorate the end of their steel chassis production that has been going since the original Morgan 4/4 in 1936.
These rare models were handcrafted in Morgan’s workshop in Malvern, the UK, which we visited back in September.
Morgan Plus 4’s have been in and out of production since 1950 but were most recently revived after a break in 2005. The new production Plus 4’s feature a BMW powered engine instead of the popular Ford engine.
Although we haven’t had the pleasure of working on a Plus 4, we have had several 4/4’s in, which are the older model to the Plus 4. Morgan released their 4/4 as a groundbreaking vehicle in 1936 which premiered their steel chassis technology and have been in production, without breaks since.
The 4/4 is the worlds longest running production car, with the 4/4 standing for ‘4 cylinder, 4 wheel’ as it was the first of its kind in Morgan’s development as they moved away from the bike powered 3 wheels.
Although there’s little difference between the 4/4 and the Plus 4, the latter of the two was developed to be faster and more powerful, making it less mainstream and typically a touring option.
