early r107

[Swanseabay16]

hello forum
I seem to have acquired an early r107, it has no history and I was wondering if anyone could help me, as there have been some problems identifying it's age. The chassis number is 107043 22 000385. Its white and is rather scruffy and forlorn, and is languishing on a q plate. Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome

 

[00slk]

Hello and welcome, yes does look like the 385th one from first production.
We also had an early 107 1971. The first should have the 4 speed automatic transmission and Limited Slip Differential? Early ones also had the Pagoda Clock and I think the steel grille fitted and no headrests, different steering wheel and indicator/wiper stalk, going from my comparison's to a 1972 model during my early days of Club Captain of the MB Club at Club Events.
There may be more information on this great forum and and could be stand corrected by more knowledgeable people on the forum and The SL Shop.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Welcome

 

[A.J.]

Hi and welcome to the forum

 

[Srdl]

Welcome, I can’t add anything to what @00slk has already said in such detail!

 

[Swanseabay16]

Thanks 00slk
I can confirm the 4 speed automatic, different steering wheel and indicator stalk, no pagoda clock though, and it has headrests. From what I know, it was first registered in Germany.

 

[sonic]

Welcome I am a little confused by the Q plate, if it had been imported is should have been registered & given a UK plate.
I imported two cars from Germany when I was in the forces, in 1973 & 1981. In those days you were issued the current plate for that year. Aged related plates came later.
Can you not get any info from DVLC regarding the Q plate?

 

[Swanseabay16]

As far as I can gather, when it was imported it was put on a private plate, for some reason this was then sold (possibly probate) and sufficient evidence wasn’t supplied to the dvla to confirm the age of the car, hence the q plate. I haven’t tried the DVLA as I’m still gathering evidence. And I thought I better not due to COVID, this is hardly an urgent enquiry. I’ve searched the info for the reg plate Q676rde, and the DVLA MOT info says manufactured in 1971, but the tax info says D.O.M unknown, and first registration 2001. I’m also not sure how to proceed with the DVLA

 

[Srdl]

Can Mercedes HO in Germany shed any light on its history? I know they usually hide behind Data Protection laws but they may make an exception for a 50 year old classic.

 

[00slk]

Thanks 00slk
I can confirm the 4 speed automatic, different steering wheel and indicator stalk, no pagoda clock though, and it has headrests. From what I know, it was first registered in Germany. View attachment 65650 View attachment 65648 View attachment 65649

Looks like the instrument pod is an up grade to a later version. The clock was on the centre of the 2 eyeball vents.
Nice car though

 

[00slk]

And I would say the seats have been change too?
I found a few photos of our old SL, unfortunately I can't find a picture of the interior
Ours never had the front fog lights fitted.

 

[SL63 Mark]

Just wondering, the temperature gauge is in Fahrenheit, could this be a US import ? A German car would have centigrade.

Also, this car has an MPH speedometer, a German car would be KPH.

 

[Swanseabay16]

She’s a beauty 00slk! The seats certainly don’t match the door cards so have probably been changed. The instrument pod was probably changed too, there is a disclaimer label stuck to it (just visible in the photo) relating to not being able to guarantee the mileage. Probably changed from the German spec to the closest thing to UK spec, which happened to be US .

I will email Mercedes, see if they have any info they’re prepared to part with!

Perhaps they saw the prices of the pagoda clock on eBay and decided to cash in and move to the Bahamas!