This 1982 Mercedes 500SL has just been unearthed after four decades in a garage and is completely untouched
Published on Oct 18, 2025 at 4:01 AM (UTC+4)
by Callum Tokody
Last updated on Oct 17, 2025 at 12:29 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
A 1982 Mercedes 500SL has just been unearthed after four decades in a garage and not only is it incredibly well-preserved, it’s got almost no miles on the clock.
The car has just 42 original miles on the odometer and has never been registered in the UK.
Its only owner, a Staffordshire watchmaker, placed it in a heated garage immediately after purchase and has barely touched it since.
The find ranks among the most unusual time-capsule cars seen in recent years.
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Why this is such a rare discovery
SLSHOP, a Mercedes-Benz specialist based in Warwickshire, authenticated the vehicle.
Its owner, only known as Mr Hough, bought the classic Mercedes 500SL on November 30, 1982 for £24,400, equal to more than £87,000 today.
Rather than drive it, he kept it sealed away at home.
The right-hand drive R107 SL was ordered with every major option, including air conditioning, heated leather seats, ABS and metallic paint.
Those extras cost £2,331 at the time, around £8,360 in current value.
The car still wears its Blue Green Metallic paint, original factory stickers and protective wax on its engine and exhaust.
Paperwork from Carols of Wolverhampton confirmed the sale, while unfinished registration forms show it never even went on the road.
With no restoration or repairs, it remains a complete time-capsule car.
Founder Sam Bailey said the car offers a direct reference to the factory standard of the R107 series.
It will not be sold but placed on display in a climate-controlled setting at SLSHOP’s headquarters.
A limited public showing will also take place at Mercedes-Benz World in partnership with Mercedes-Benz UK.
Why the Mercedes 500SL is so special
The Mercedes 500SL was introduced in 1980 as the range-topping R107 model.
Its 5.0-litre V8 produced about 240 horsepower and could accelerate the car to 60 mph in under eight seconds.
Production lasted until 1989, with a 1986 revision that brought updated engines and improved emissions systems.
The R107 SL gained a reputation for combining speed and long-distance comfort.
Standard features included cruise control, electric windows and headlamp wash and wipe.
Buyers could add extras like airbags, orthopaedic seating and metallic finishes, which gave it strong appeal in the luxury market.
Collectors now regard the Mercedes 500SL as one of the most desirable R107 variants.
While most examples have been restored or heavily driven, this discovery stands apart as an untouched survivor.
Preserved as a time-capsule car, it shows the model as it left the factory in 1982.
With public display confirmed, this classic Mercedes ensures one of the most original R107 SL examples remains accessible for study and appreciation.
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Callum Tokody is a content writer at Supercar Blondie, where he covers the latest in the automotive world with a focus on design and performance. Callum has a background in automotive journalism and has contributed to a range of publications in Australia and the UK. Outside of work, he’s a design enthusiast with a soft spot for anything with a V8 and a good story.
