Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

Mercedes-Benz R107

The Mercedes-Benz R107 automobiles were produced from 1972 through 1989. They were sold under the SL-Class and SLC-Class model names, respectively. The R107 replaced the W113 SL-Class in 1972 and was replaced by the R129 SL-Class in 1989.

The theory behind the R107 was simple - take the chassis components of the mid size Mercedes-Benz W114 model and mate them to the larger engines from the S-Class. While too angular to be a truly handsome car, like the W113 Pagoda, owning one still carried quite a bit of cachet at the time. The W 107 chassis is sometimes referred to as "R 107" for "Reihe" (series). The US models built on the 107 chassis were the 350 SL, 380 SL, 450 SL, and the 560 SL. (One of the European models of the 107 family was a "280 SL". This should not be confused with 280 SL of the earlier 113 chassis.)

The SL variant was a 2 seat convertible. It proved popular, especially in the United States. This was even more remarkable because the R107 was fitted with hideous portruding 5 mile per hour bumpers in the US market, due to regulations administered by NHTSA. The R107 was designed just before this legislation, so these bumpers were engineered as an afterthought.

The SLC (technically C107) derivative was an SL stretched 10 inches, a 2 door hardtop coupe, with usable rear seats. It was replaced earlier than the SL, with a much larger model, the 380SEC. It was aimed at the same market as more exotic machines like the Jaguar E-Type and Citroën SM.

The 107 chassis had the longest run of any Mercedes chassis, 18 years from 1971 to 1989. Some 237,000 107 chassis SL's were built. About two thirds were sold in the US. These 107 cars are larger, heavier, and more costly than the previous generation W113 cars.

Prices increased dramatically. The earliest 107, the 1971 350 SL, sold for about $11,000. Eighteen years later, the last 107 model, the 560SL, sold for about $64,000. Some writers and reviewers have commented that while the 107 engines were larger (3.8 and 4.5 liters compared to 2.8 liters of the last 113 cars), performance was not much improved because of the heavier weight and the US mandated emission fittings.

Production of the first R107 car, the 350 SL, started in November 1970 alongside the last of the W 113 cars. An interesting sidelight is that when the first 350's were exported to the US, because of the strict horsepower robbing emission requirements, the US 350's were shipped with low compression 4.5 liter engines. A Mercedes Benz service person said that when these cars came in for service, his shop replaced 350 SL model badges with 450 SL badges.

450 SL's were produced until 1980. Some 450 SL's suffered from vapor lock and hard re-start because of the position of the catalytic converter. The front and rear bumpers each grew out about 8 inches after 1973 to comply with US safety regulations. Some regard the original shorter bumpers as giving a better look to the car.

Next was the 380 SL built from about 1981 to 1985. The 380 SL was the least powerful of the US imported R107 roadsters. Some of these cars also had a single timing chain which had to be serviced or replaced with a double chain to avoid serious engine problems. The more powerful 500SL with 5.0 liter engine, produced from 1980-1989, was not available in the USA through MB USA and was popular in "gray market" import before the arrival of the 560SL (only made for the USA and Australian market) in 1986-1989.

W 107 cars are considered by fans to be among the best looking SL's ever produced, with plenty of power. Some say that while 107 cars may have sacrificed some performance, they gave a more comfortable ride than the previous generation 113 cars.

Despite the larger 5.6 liter engine of the 560SL, the 500SL is recorded as being the fastest production 107 produced (mostly because of the lack of emission restraints.) The 500SL was published by Mercedes-Benz as having 0-60 times of 7.4 seconds for a top speed of 140 mph. Torque for the 500SL is 297@3200 rpm and for the 560SL 279@3250 rpm. The 500SL was not available in the USA or Australian markets through Mercedes Benz dealers.

The last 107 made, a 1989 500SL painted Astral Silver, resides in the Mercedes-Benz museum in Stuttgart, Germany.

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