Mercedes Benz SL 380 W107
Year of manufacture: 1985
Power: 157 hp
Engine displacement: 3,839 cm3
Number of cylinders/valves: 8/2
Weight: 1,650 kg
Condition: drivable
Catalogue number: 42
History
The Mercedes Benz 107, also nicknamed the Timeless Endurer, was produced from 1971 to 1989. It was the second longest-produced series by the German automaker Mercedes-Benz, after the Mercedes-Benz G-Class off-road vehicle. The cars were sold under the model designations SL (R107) and SLC (C107).
Development
The R107 and C107 adopted chassis components from the mid-sized W 114 model and originally paired them with M116 and M117 engines used in the W108, W109, and W111 series.
Mass production of the R107 350 SL began in April 1971, available with an optional four-speed hydraulic automatic transmission. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h took 8 seconds.
In March 1973, the 450 SL/SLC was introduced to the North American market. The car featured a 4.5-liter 8-cylinder engine.
In September 1977, the 450 SLC 5.0 joined the lineup. This was a homologation version of the large coupe with a new aluminum 5.0-liter engine.
Starting in 1980, the 350, 450, and 450 SLC 5.0 were replaced by the 380 and 500 SLC models. At the same time, the cars were slightly updated, with the three-speed automatic replaced by a four-speed unit.
Production of the 280, 380, and 500 SL models ended in 1981, replaced by the new W126 380 and 500 SEC series.
From September 1985, the 280 SL was replaced by the new 300 SL and 380 SL, the 500 SL continued, and the 560 SL was introduced for some non-European markets, especially the USA, Australia, and Japan.
Technical specifications
Mercedes-Benz engineers and developers focused on small details with the W107. For example, this model was the first to use well-known rear lights, previously used only on trucks, with horizontal ribs preventing dirt buildup.
The chassis, with a closed tunnel necessary for the installation of the transmission and driveshaft, had a floor frame with longitudinal and cross members, onto which the body of a two-seat roadster or coupe for two adults and two children was welded. The steel used varied in thickness, and carefully designed crumple zones, patented by Béla Barényi, absorbed most of the impact energy during collisions, resulting in less injury to occupants in the so-called safety cell. The four-spoke steering wheel was equipped with a telescopic shaft and a polyurethane-filled hub. The dashboard was padded with foam to protect against impacts. The fuel tank, located above the rear axle, did not rupture during collisions.
All American models used the 4.5-liter engine and were called 450 SL / SLC.
Interesting facts
Let’s return to Germany, though staying a bit in America, albeit further south. Teaching a 4.75-meter-long car to race was a tough challenge, but it succeeded. The SLC coupe recorded great success mainly in competitions. In 1978, Andrew Cowan and Colin Malkin won the grueling Vuelta a la América del Sud marathon. After five weeks on the roads—and especially off-road—of South America, the two drivers finished first in their heavy 5.0-liter Mercedes 450 SLC. Only 22 crews out of 56 completed the route of over 28,500 kilometers.
Record holder
Thanks to its long career, the R107 still holds the record for the highest number of units produced among all generations of “eselka” models. By August 1989, 237,287 units had been made in Sindelfingen. The SLC coupe ended its ten-year career with only 62,888 units built and is now relatively rare. Its career is also a record, as no personal Mercedes model has been produced so long (the G-Class is not exactly personal). The successor to the R107 series was the SL R129, first introduced in March 1989. Although it had a shorter production run, by today’s standards it was still long, lasting a full twelve years.
