Classic Mercedes Benz Heritage - W107 SLs

By the late 1960's, Mercedes and the SL family had to change. The third generation SL would be all new, very luxurious, very high priced and very socially acceptable. For the final time Rudi Uhlenhaut was in charge of the new project, even though his retirement was now looming.

The styling process for the new model, designated W107, stretched over approximately four years. the basic shape began to set quite early, and was certainly evident by 1968 before Pagoda SL production had ceased. It was especially apprant in the hardtop roof line, which retained a hint of the pagoda profile but which was distinctively different, upswept rear side window line, even if the boot lid was eventually given a mild degree of concavity to echo the pagoda roof theme.

• Chassis type W107 platform with unitary body
• Engine type: 6 cyl over head camshaft (280sl & 300sl) l V8 twin over head camshafts all others
• Capacity: 280sl - 2,746 cc | 350SL - 3,499cc | 450sl - 4,520 cc | 300sl - 2,962 cc | 380sl - 3,818 cc | 420sl - 4,196 cc | 500sl - 4,973 cc | 560sl (USA) 5,549 cc
• Power output: 280sl 182 hp @ 6,000 rpm | 350sl 200 hp @ 5,800 rpm | 450sl 222 hp @ 5,000 rpm | 300sl 185hp @ 5,700 rpm | 380sl 215 hp @ 5,500 rpm | 420sl 215 @ 5,200 rpm | 500sl 240 @ 5,000 rpm |560sl 227 hp @ 5,200
• Top speed (automatic): N/A
• Production period: 280sl 1974 -81 | 350sl 1971 - 80 | 450sl 1973 - 80 | 300sl 1985 - 89 | 380sl 1980 - 81 | 420sl 1985 - 1989 | 500sl 1980 - 89| 560sl 1986 -89
• Units produced: N/A