Mercedes SL R107

Fast Facts

• Best model: 300SL
• Worst model: 450SL
• Budget buy: 380SL
• OK for unleaded?: Yes
• Will it fit in the garage? (mm): L4630 x W1791mm
• Spares situation: Excellent
• DIY ease?: Good aside from electrics
• Club support: Good
• Appreciating asset?: Gradually
• Good buy or good-bye?: Yes, classical not classic?

Most SLs are autos; tough and far more desired over a manual:

Engines are as tough as old boots if they maintained right with genuine M-B parts. Many aren’t now however

Beauty with brains. SL still looks the part even if too many are blinged up.

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Supercar status twinned with old school Mercedes durability makes the R107 SL the thinking person’s sports classic!

When it comes to real-world affordable cars, none are better engineered than a Seventies or Eighties Mercedes. One of the best was the R107 SL, which was produced at a time when build quality was all; engineers ruled instead of bean counters. However, while everyone clamours for its predecessor (the ‘Pagoda-roofed’ W113), the second generation SL offers everything the older car does – and much better value besides. Although these cars were built up to a standard rather than down to a price, you don’t need the wealth of Bill Gates to buy or run one. Indeed, many of the mechanical components are surprisingly cheap as they’re shared with contemporaryMerc saloons. Simple enough for home maintenance, there’s also a raft of specialists out there, ready to help you keep an SL in fi ne fettle if you’re not so handy with the spanners.

History

The famous SL bloodline started with the worldchanging 300SL ‘Gullwing’ racer of 1952; by 1954 a road-going edition had been shown and from 1957 a roadster edition had superseded the fi xed-head model. In the meantime, in 1955 the far more affordable 190SL had gone on sale, but from 1963 an all-new design was available; the now hugely sought after W113 SL, nicknamed Pagoda, which lasted until ‘71. When the R107 SL was launched in 1971, few realised that the car would become Mercedes’ longest-lived model ever, lasting a whopping 18 years. Initially there was just a 3.5-litre V8 for European markets, while American buyers got a 4.5-litre V8, both models badged 350SL. However, from 1973 European buyers were also able to buy that larger engine in the 450SL. The oil crisis in 1974 led to Mercedes offering the ‘economy special’ 280SL, but power was back on the menu in 1977, when the 450SLC 5.0 was launched. A stretched 2+2 SL hard-top coupé, the SLC never made much of an impact but can make a great budget buy now. A range-wide facelift in 1980 brought a range of tweaks, the most signifi - cant of which was the arrival of the 380SL and500SL, with the all-alloy V8 that was introduced in the SLC – a model which died in 1981, superseded by the larger S-Class-based SEC.

A further facelift in 1986 brought a front airdam for all models and a new six-cylinder model, the 300SL. The mid-range car was now the 420SL while for US buyers there was a 560SL available. It was these models which would see the R107 generation of SL through until itsdemise in 1989, when the R129 made its debut. After the thick end of two decades in production, 237,287 examples of the R107 SL were made – so there are plenty of them to go round.

Driving

The name SL may be short for Sport Light, but this is no sports car. Sure there’s a decent turn of speed when you need it, but the R107 is more of a cruiser than a B-road hot-shot. With a choice of six and eight-cylinder engines offering anywhere 2.8 and 5.6-litres, driving characteristics vary enormously between the different models, while age can make quite a difference too. After all, with a production run of 18 years, the SL evolved over time. Whichever variant you go for there’ll be a torquey motor under the bonnet and an automatic gearbox – there are manual cars about, but they don’t suit the car that well to be honest. Forget that ‘Mercedes Sports’ tag the R107 gained in the 70s – these cars are better suited to graceful touring rather than out and out tearing around. Handling is tidy if antiquated these days with that big low-set steering wheel, and really that’s part of the considerable charm. As we say, it’s a car to take your time in and enjoy the ride as well as the admiration rather than haring around although the car did amazingly well in rallying during the ‘70s. That said this heavyweight doesn’t disgrace itself and straight line speed is still more than respectable across the board. Performance, spanning from just under 190bhp to 240bhp from the straight sixes and V8s isn’t to the detriment of economy where normal driving will coax around 21-22mpg, although this can dip to the mid-teens on hard driven V8s. Expect a 280 to have the same performance as a repmobile off the lights, while the V8s offer GTi-like pace, particularly the 420, 500 and 560s.

As ever with a Mercedes and despite the fact that four and fi ve-speed manuals were available, automatic transmission is tailor made for their touring characteristics and the ride is fi rm yet also a tad fl oaty. Trim levels are typically Teutonic and almost stark in today’s terms, but what it lacks in style the Mercedes makes up for in stamina and sensibility. Despite their sizes, the SL and the SLC (wheelbase lengthened by 14inches) are really a twoseater and an acceptable 2+2 respectively, but luggage space is generous. Incidentally optional rear seats were available but even toddlers will complain over the lack of space in the back! Compared to a Triumph Stag, the Merc feels tougher and better engineered although the Triumph is roomier and perhaps the more distinctive. That the Stag is now compared to the SL is a huge compliment to the German. The Stag had already established itself when the SL arrived in the UK. Autocar’s test of the big V8 350 model concluded that it was more touring than sporting but praised its handling reporting: “The tendency to tail swing and transition to oversteer which used to be experienced with previous SLs, has been eliminated”.

Prices

Sam Bailey runs the Worcestershire-based SL Shop, specialising in the R107. The UK’s biggest R107 specialist, Bailey buys and sells more of these cars each year than anybody. He comments: “For a given condition, the rule of thumb says that the newer the car, the more it’s worth, while cars with a manual gearbox don’t fetch as much as otherwise identical autos. The best cars fetch very large premiums while left-hand drive doesn’t seem to make a car worth less – as long as it’s to European spec. However, some left-hand drive SLs in the UK are to US spec, which means they’re fi tted with ugly big bumpers and are strangled by emissions equipment – those are worth less than equivalent UK cars”. According to Bailey, you should expect to pay at least £8000 to securesomething that won’t need signifi cant expenditure in the near future;this nets a 280SL, 350SL, 380SL or 450SL. If you want a really good 300SL, 420SL and 500SL you’ll pay anywhere between £10,000 and £25,000 – potentially even more if it’s a one-owner car with a low mileage.

Improvements

The SL is one of those cars that doesn’t benefi t from mechanical upgrades; it was so well engineered that improving on the standard product is very diffi cult. Indeed, be suspicious of cars that have been modified, as the suspension and braking systems are excellent in standard form and so are the engines and transmissions. Also be very wary of Sls with non-standard wheels and tyres, as these can easily upset the car’s dynamics. However, audio and security upgrades can be incorporated, while wind defl ectors are very popular too; expect to pay around £200 for one from an outfit such as the SL Shop. The same company can also supply rear seats for £299 in vinyl or £425 in leather, while rear seat belts can be offered too. Choose from a three-point set up for £200 or a four-point option for £400.

Three Of A Kind

Chevrolet Corvette C3

Buy a Corvette and you’ll automatically get a big and beefy V8 up front; marry this with a lightweight glassfi bre bodyshell and you‘ve got a recipe for some massive performance. Handling is pretty good too fi r a Yank, but if you don’t like the car’s dynamics there are masses of changes you can make to the running gear. You’ll have to settle for left-hand drive however – but you soon get used to sitting on the wrong side.

Triumph Stag

Now being hailed as the British SL, but that’s only because all the bugbears have been eradicated from the Triumph ‘Snag’. A good one today is a delightful tourer; just like the SL it’s best for sauntering around. Prices are generally trailing the SL and bear in mind that you can also buy a much later German offering. Avoid alienengined Stags as the smart money now goes on originality.

Jaguar XJ-S

The UK’s only other real alternative to the SL, the XJ-S only became a true convertible in the 1990s; previously there was an ungainly-looking SC which still featured framed doors (although are now quite sought after). A much better more usable car once the AJ straight six engines featured as V12 running costs always high. Values are rising but only on good ones – there’s plenty of trash about.