The Mercedes-Benz R 107 SL Is 50 Years Old – The Premiere Of 1971

Mercedes-Benz SL of the R 107 model series: Premiere 50 years ago in April 1971

Mercedes-Benz premiered the new R 107 SL 50 years ago back in April 1971. The R model series being the abbreviation for Roadster. This completely new development was an open two seater with a retractable fabric top and a removable hardtop. The new car was sporty in part but also luxurious with decent performance and ride quality.

The 300 SL from 1952 was quite different being originally developed for racing before producing the road going version in W 198 from 1954 to 1957 and as a roadster from 1957 to 1963. These were far more road orientated, but you could see the link back to the original race car.

Mercedes-Benz premiered the new R 107 SL 50 years ago back in April 1971. The R model series being the abbreviation for Roadster. This completely new development was an open two seater with a retractable fabric top and a removable hardtop. The new car was sporty in part but also luxurious with decent performance and ride quality.

The 300 SL from 1952 was quite different being originally developed for racing before producing the road going version in W 198 from 1954 to 1957 and as a roadster from 1957 to 1963. These were far more road orientated, but you could see the link back to the original race car.

Following that came the 190 SL W 121 in 1955 which bore quite a resemblance to the 300 SL but was less powerful and significantly cheaper. Still a very pretty looking car though. After this model ceased production in 1963 the popular Pagoda W 113 took over and lasted until 1971. The new SL was very much a continuation of that style and type of vehicle, moving further away from the street race car to something with style and more comfort.

Now for the first time in the SL series there were 8 cylinder engines starting with the 350. These engines had already been used in the 280 SE 3.5, W 111 coupé and cabriolet,  and the W 108 / 109 300 SEL 3.5 from 1969. Accompanying them were the usual range of straight six options which kept expanding over the production run.

Also, in 1971 Mercedes launched the SLC, C 107, a fixed head coupe based on the SL but with a longer wheelbase and with four seats.

Following that came the 190 SL W 121 in 1955 which bore quite a resemblance to the 300 SL but was less powerful and significantly cheaper. Still a very pretty looking car though. After this model ceased production in 1963 the popular Pagoda W 113 took over and lasted until 1971. The new SL was very much a continuation of that style and type of vehicle, moving further away from the street race car to something with style and more comfort.

Now for the first time in the SL series there were 8 cylinder engines starting with the 350. These engines had already been used in the 280 SE 3.5, W 111 coupé and cabriolet, and the W 108 / 109 300 SEL 3.5 from 1969. Accompanying them were the usual range of straight six options which kept expanding over the production run.

Also, in 1971 Mercedes launched the SLC, C 107, a fixed head coupe based on the SL but with a longer wheelbase and with four seats.

Mercedes-Benz SL of the R 107 model series: Premiere 50 years ago in April 1971
Mercedes-Benz SL of the R 107 model series: Premiere 50 years ago in April 1971
Mercedes-Benz SL of the R 107 model series: Premiere 50 years ago in April 1971
Mercedes-Benz SL of the R 107 model series: Premiere 50 years ago in April 1971

The R 107 is the longest running model in Mercedes-Benz history, with the exception of the G Class. An 18 year production run from 1971 to 1989 was possible as the car was kept up to date with numerous engine options and regular facelifts.

Technically the car was different to the Pagoda predecessor. Mercedes’s designers using the W 114 & 115 Stroke/8 to base the new SL on. The saloon donating it’s front and rear suspension to the R 107. The first model with its 200hp 3,499cc V8 engine.

A lot of safety development went into the new open top sports car. There was an independent frame-floor unit which is made of different thickness sheets which provide a defined crumple behaviour in the event of a crash. The fuel tank installed above the rear axle to provide protection from a rear impact.

High strength steel was used in the A pillars and the windscreen frame which featured bonded in glass.

The interior featured the safety four spoke steering wheel with its padding and deformable structure. From March 1980 the SL was fitted with and anti-lock brake system, ABS, and Mercedes-Benz new airbag followed in January 1982 with seatbelt tensioners. These of course were optional extras but were available at a time when no other manufacturer was in a position to offer them.

Mercedes-Benz SL of the R 107 model series: Premiere 50 years ago in April 1971
Mercedes-Benz SL of the R 107 model series: Premiere 50 years ago in April 1971

The wide variety of engine options started with the addition of the 450 SL with 225 hp in 1973. Initially reserved for North American markets from the autumn of 1971 was available in Europe. In 1974 the 280 SL 185 hp six cylinder was launched and for the first time you could get three different engine options in an SL.

Following a facelift in 1980 the 380 SL replaced the 350 SL and came with 218 hp. The 500 SL replaced the 450 and increased power to 240 hp to become the top model in the range. Part of the model overhaul was to bring the interiors more in line with the W 126 that was introduced in 1977. Many technical upgrades were made under the skin, one of which was the transmission. Externally the facelift was relatively discrete. New bonnets made of a light alloy and a new front spoiler. The 500 SL gained a light alloy boot lid too and had a black plastic spoiler from the SLC coupé with the same 5 litre V8.

Mercedes-Benz SL of the R 107 model series: Premiere 50 years ago in April 1971
Mercedes-Benz SL of the R 107 model series: Premiere 50 years ago in April 1971

1986 saw the final revision of the R 107 model series. More changes to the exterior, the addition of 15″ wheels and the same front spoiler across all models. Underneath saw suspension changes which now had zero scrub radius, but the main focus was on engine choices. The 300 SL brought back the original name for an SL and came with a new 188 hp inline six. The 420 gained the new smaller V8 from the S-Class with 218 hp and Bosch KE-Jetronic electrically controlled mechanical fuel injection.

The 500 SL was given the 5.6 litre V8 which was also a feature of the 560 S-Class saloon and coupé. However, this model was reserved for North America, Japan and Australia. All models now came with a closed loop three way catalytic converter.

The R 107 ended production in August 1989 after more than 18 years. In that time production at the Sindelfingen plant had reached a total of 237,287 cars.

The R 107 is quite sought after these days and can fetch quite high prces. The ease of use combined with the comfort of one of the contemporary saloons extending their appeal.

I’ve always liked them and really like the idea of owning one. Either a six cylinder or eight  wouldn’t matter, both options are great. The six’s are cheaper to own and run, the V8 can get very expensive if you need to do much repair or a rebuild on one.

Mercedes-Benz SL of the R 107 model series: Premiere 50 years ago in April 1971
Mercedes-Benz SL of the R 107 model series: Premiere 50 years ago in April 1971
Mercedes-Benz SL of the R 107 model series: Premiere 50 years ago in April 1971

Many thanks to Mercedes-benz for the use of the images.

Simon

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