Lot 217: 1971 Mercedes-Benz 350 SL

After the successful era of the 230, 250 and 280 SL series it became apparent to Mercedes-Benz that a new model would be required. This was due not only to changing tastes and styles but more importantly ever increasing safety and emission controls. With this in mind, the new model would have to be stronger, heavier and therefore require a larger engine. In 1970 the 350 SL was born and it would become one of the world's most recognised style icons of the 1970s and '80s. This design, powered by a variety of six and eight cylinder engines, would remain in production until 1989 and must be one of the most sporting car designs of all time. As ever, the secret to this car's success lay in the Mercedes-Benz traditions of superb build quality allied to a supremely elegant design without the need for extraneous embellishment. Attractively finished in Impala gunmetal metallic with a cognac MB-Tex interior, together with a dark brown soft top and the original, body coloured hard top, this legendary eight cylinder sports car is fitted with the automatic transmission and is described by the vendor as being in good condition throughout. The hard-wearing MB-Tex seats are in excellent order, and the engine started 'on the button' and made all the right noises on a recent inspection. The mileage of 86,000km on the odometer is believed to be genuine and, judging from the quality of the body, the car has clearly benefited from having spent all its life in sunny Italy. A recent engine oil and filter change confirms the good care that the previous owners have obviously taken with the car. This classic 1970s teutonic cruiser is still fitted with its original Blaupunkt radio and comes with the original Mercedes-Benz owner's instruction manual. Not to be confused with much lesser examples of this iconic Mercedes, this is a car for the connoisseur. Elegantemente rifinita in Impala metallizzato (canna di fucile) con interni MB-Tex color cognac, una capote marrone scuro e hard top del colore della carrozzeria, questa leggendaria sportiva otto cilindri dotata di cambio automatico ed descritta dal venditore come in buone condizioni. I resistenti sedili MB-Tex sono in ottimo stato, mentre il motore da una recente ispezione ha dato buona prova di sé. Il chilometraggio di 86.000k m sul tachimetro sembra genuino e a giudicare dalla qualit della carrozzeria, quest'automobile ha beneficiato del clima italiano durante tutta la sua vita. Un recente cambio olio e filtro conferma la grande cura con cui i precedenti proprietari hanno custodito l'auto. Questa classica teutonica degli anni '70 dotata ancora della sua originale radio Blaupunkt come anche dell'originale manuale d'uso Mercedes-Benz. Quest'auto da non confondersi con esemplari inferiori di questa icona, una scelta da conoscitori