1993 Mercedes - Benz 300SL-24

Registration: J784 OFV
Chassis: WDB1290612F044661
Odometer: 59,716
Transmission: Automatic
MOT: Expired 2015

• Excellent long-term-storage barn-find project
• Only three owners from new
• An extraordinary 34 years with the current keeper

This is exactly the sort of car we love finding.

Emerging from long-term storage on a farm, having formed part of a collection, and presents as a remarkably complete and very worthwhile barn-find project. Better still, it has a particularly appealing ownership story: just three owners from new, with the current keeper having owned the Mercedes for some 34 years.

The odometer shows just 59,716 miles, and although the car has been off the road for a considerable period, it has survived remarkably well. Finished in a handsome pale metallic blue with its matching factory hardtop fitted, it remains complete, straight-looking and instantly recognisable as the elegant early R129 that has become increasingly appreciated in recent years.

This isn't a dismantled restoration or a car arriving in boxes. The bodywork generally presents well for a vehicle that has spent years in storage and gives the next owner an extremely encouraging starting point. There are naturally areas requiring attention, including a small corrosion blister to the nearside front wing and deterioration to the paint finish across the rear deck/boot-lid area, together with other age-related imperfections. The passenger door also currently does not close correctly and will require investigation.

Inside, the car is another pleasant surprise. The grey leather interior remains remarkably presentable, with its electrically adjustable seats, extensive wood trim, original dashboard and centre console all helping to give the cabin the substantial feel associated with these early R129s. There is some age-related wear, as would be expected, but it remains a very complete. The car is also accompanied by its manuals.

Mechanically, the Mercedes should be approached as a recommissioning project. It has not been run following its period in storage, although the engine is attempting to turn over, which is encouraging. Rather than attempt to force the issue after such a lengthy lay-up, the sensible approach will be for its new owner to work methodically through the fuel, ignition, cooling, braking and other mechanical systems before attempting to return it to regular use. Its last MOT expired in 2015.

There is something particularly appealing about a barn find such as this. It hasn't been hastily recommissioned simply to get it through an auction, nor cosmetically restored to disguise its years in storage. Instead, the next owner gets to start with the car essentially as it has emerged from its long-term home and decide exactly how it should be brought back.

The fundamentals make the prospect all the more tempting: three owners, 34 years with the present keeper, fewer than 60,000 miles displayed, the desirable 24-valve straight-six, factory hardtop, good interior and an apparently very complete car.

For the home mechanic or Mercedes enthusiast looking for a recommissioning project, this could be a hugely rewarding project. Clean it, service it, carefully bring the mechanical systems back to life and tackle the cosmetic areas as and when desired, or go further and restore it to a higher standard. Either way, the starting point appears considerably better than many cars described as barn finds