During the 1960s, Mercedes-Benz created some of the most iconic and steadfast vehicles to hit the road, of which many are ranked among the most desirable classic cars in history. But moving on from the second generation SL was going to be a tall order for the German stalwart. Then, in 1971 Mercedes released a tweaked version of their legendary 300SL, and commenced to produce what would become one of the longest running model classes in its history, the R107.

A look at the evolution of the R107, from the first 350SL in 1971 to the final 560SL in 1989 gives a look at what has become an iconic symbol of a classic roadster. Let's take a stroll, shall we?

The New SL The Roadster To The Modern Era

350 SL
Via: Jack Snell, Flickr - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/

After a heated meeting of the Board of Management, and an intensive debate with regard to having the new model be a Targa roof version, or a fabric-topped convertible, the decision was made to move ahead with an open-top two-seater that sported a fabric-roofed top. Concerns over safety standards coming from the USA regarding the licensing of open-top convertibles was cause for concern. Nonetheless, the fabric roof model, with an accompanying removable hard-top was given the nod.

The R107 series was born, with an “R” representing Roadster rather than the “W” which was used to indicate Wagon (or car). The SL name comes from the term “Sportlich-Leicht,” or Sport Lightweight translated, and the release of the R107 in 1971 introduced the roadster to the modern era with the 350SL. This was the first SL to feature a V-8 engine, which was found under the hood in the first 350SL of that model year.

The SL model range was extended in July, 1974 to include the 280 SL and 280 SLC, with a 2.8-liter M 110 engine. It was soon followed by the 450SL which was produced until 1980 when the 380SL took over the line.

RELATED: Looking Back At The Mercedes SL 300 Gullwing

In The 80s Everything Comes Together

1981 saw the 450SL’s run end and the 380SL appeared on the landscape with a 155-hp, 3.8-liter engine. The new design was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March of 1980, which presented both the SL and the SLC in an updated form. The design brought together elements of the 126-series C-Class, with engineering brought up to the same level for the roadster. While previous models relied on a three-speed automatic transmission with a torque converter, the new cars featured a four-speed variant. The hardtop was also now included as a standard specification to the model.

The 380SL was somewhat unreliable by Mercedes standards, and after just five years of production it was replaced by the 560SL in 1986. While the 380SL fell short, the 560SL excelled. The final, bullet-proof design of the R107 combined all the elements that Mercedes learned about the V-8 chassis, and was the ultimate culmination of the storied design. Standard equipment included ABS brakes and a driver’s side airbag. Burlwood accents were throughout the interior and the much aligned seatback support from the prior SL models was improved, along with a passenger side mirror.

Like Most Of Us, Hollywood Loved The SL Too

Photo: via imcdb.com

Most car buffs can recite a list of their favorite movie and TV cars, and typically are more impressed with the actors' rides than they are their performances. Since the brief glimpse of Lacey Underall’s yellow 450SL in Caddyshack, to its more prevalent role in tooling Axel Foley around Beverly Hills in Beverly Hills Cop, the SL has been a popular vehicle for Hollywood.

On the small screen, the SL (mostly in red now) appeared prominently in episodes of Dallas and Matt Houston (while sharing screen time with Matt’s brilliant white Sparks Roadster, of course). For some, Bobby Ewing’s red SL with his EWING 4 Texas plates came to be more associated with the series than JR’s 10-gallon hat.

RELATED: The 5 Best And 5 Worst Mercedes-Benz SL Models Over The Years

The 50th Anniversary Brings An All New Chassis

R232 mercedes benz
Via: Mercedes-Fans.de, YouTube

As it stands today, aside from the G-Class SUV, the R107 SL is the brand’s longest running chassis. Production on the R107 ended in August of 1989, more than 18 years after the first 350SL rolled out of Sindelfingen. In the entire history of the company, no other passenger car series has been in production for as long a period of time. A total of 237,287 open-top coupes were produced which is a testimonial to the immense popularity of the tri-star’s convertible.

Carrying the legendary open-air ride to the 2022 model will be the newly designated R232 chassis. As the brand looks to return to the model’s roots it is expected that the SL will be much sportier than the current model. Reports are that there may actually not even be a Mercedes-Benz SL any longer, but just a Mercedes-AMG SL. Feeding this assumption is the fact that this new SL will be entirely designed by AMG, Mercedes’ in-house racing division. The R232 will reportedly be built on the next-generation AMG GT platform.

If the prevailing spy shots circulating around the internet hold up, the new SL will be losing its now-traditional folding hardtop, and go back to the canvas roof of its predecessors. Further indications are that the SL will grow from a pure two-seater to more of a 2+2 configuration. While not quite a four-seater, an actual pair of seats in the rear could now provide some space for a duffle bag or two behind the front seats.

Sales of the new 2022 SL convertible are expected to begin in the latter half of 2022, carrying on the storied heritage of the classic, open-top Mercedes SL.

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