Childhood dream come true for La Mercy 1971 Mercedes-Benz 350 SL owner

27 years ago, Fanus Oldewage bought his son Marnuts an electric toy car – the kind made of steel, that children could drive around in – of the exact model Mercedes-Benz he drives today, years after dreaming of one day owning the real McCoy. 

A WeBuyCars car buyer today, and living in La Mercy, Marnuts is able to say he made his own dream come true last December when he stumbled upon the 1971 Merc, but what makes this 350 SL R 107, 3-speed rear-wheel drive automatic special is written in its mileage.

All that is known of its previous owner is that he hailed from Germany and road-tripped throughout Europe collecting stickers of each country visited which today line the boot of the car, stickers Marnuts intends to add to once the car has been fully restored to its mint condition.

Roughly valued at R300k in its present condition, cars such as this are not easily restored or come by, and Marnuts says that he will be importing parts directly from Germany.

Adding flair to the restoration, Marnuts today still owns the toy replica of the Merc, and also intends on respraying it to match the real deal.

Marnuts says that when he finally bought the car of his dreams his dad had paid him a visit.

“I remember seeing his face when he saw her. I could see he approved of her and appreciated her like I do. He is going to help me restore her – a project we expect to take about 2 years – and that is an experience money cannot buy. I will always have a piece of him in my car.”

Despite needing some TLC when it comes to the interior, the car is in modest condition and while illegally parked at Umdloti’s promenade on Sunday afternoon during a photo shoot even prompted several purchase offers from passers-by.

The 0-100 km/h in 9.0 seconds car sports has a top speed of 205 km/h, 14.5 litres/100km average and a maximum torque of 286 Nm at 4 000 rpm.

An engine capable of producing a maximum power of 204 PS at 5 800 rpm is also in mint condition.

“Once restored, I am planning on doing the Garden Route with her to Cape Town, then taking her up to Namibia. I want to keep her tradition alive and use her as the cruiser she was meant to be.”