R107
| Mercedes-Benz SL (R107) and SLC (C107) | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz |
| Production | SL: 1971–1989 SLC: 1971–1981 300,175 built SL: 237,287 SLC: 62,888 |
| Model years | SL: 1972-1989 SLC: 1972-1981 |
| Assembly |
Sindelfingen, West Germany East London, South Africa (CKD) |
| Designer | Joseph Gallitzendörfer; Friedrich Geiger (1968) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car / Grand tourer |
| Body style | 2-door roadster 2-door coupe |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Related | Mercedes-Benz W114 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
I6 2.8L (SL, SLC) 3.0L (SL) V8 3.5L (SL, SLC) 3.8L (SL, SLC) 4.2L (SL) 4.5L (SL, SLC) 5.0L (SL, SLC) 5.6L (SL) |
| Transmission |
Automatic 3 speed (350/450 SL/SLC) 4 speed 4G-TRONIC Manual 4 speed (280/350 SL/SLC) 5 speed (280/300 SL/SLC) |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 1970s SL: 2,460 mm (96.9 in) 1970s SLC: 2,820 mm (111.0 in) 1980s: 2,456 mm (96.7 in) |
| Length | 1970s SL: 4,390 mm (172.8 in) 1970s SLC: 4,750 mm (187.0 in) 1980s: 4,580 mm (180.3 in) |
| Width | 1970s: 1,790 mm (70.5 in) 1980s: 1,791 mm (70.5 in) |
| Height | 1970s SL: 1,300 mm (51.2 in) 1970s SLC: 1,330 mm (52.4 in) 1980s: 1,298 mm (51.1 in) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor |
Mercedes-Benz W113 (SL) Mercedes-Benz W111 (SLC) |
| Successor |
Mercedes-Benz R129 (SL) Mercedes-Benz C126 (SLC) |
The Mercedes-Benz R107 and C107 are automobiles which were produced by Mercedes-Benz from 1971 through 1989, being the second longest single series ever produced by the automaker, after the G-Class. They were sold under the SL (R107) and SLC (C107) model names as the 280 SL, 280 SLC, 300 SL, etc. up to the 560 SL.
The R107/SL was a 2-seat car with a detachable roof. It replaced the W113 SL-Class in 1971 and was replaced by the R129 SL-Class in 1989.
The C107/SLC was a 4-seat car with a fixed roof and an optional sliding steel sunroof. It replaced the W111 Coupé in 1971 and was replaced by the C126 S-class coupe in 1981.
The R107 and C107 took the chassis components of the midsize Mercedes-Benz W114 model and mated them initially to the M116 and M117 V8 engines used in the W108, W109 and W111 series.
The SL variant was a 2-seat convertible/roadster with standard soft top and optional hardtop and optional folding seats for the rear bench. The SLC (C107) derivative was a 2-door hardtop coupe with normal rear seats. The SLC is commonly referred to as an 'SL coupe', and this was the first time that Mercedes-Benz had based a coupe on an SL roadster platform rather than on a saloon, replacing the former saloon-based 280/300 SE coupé in Mercedes lineup. The SLC was replaced earlier than the SL, with the model run ending in 1981, with a much larger model, the 380 SEC and 500SEC based on the new S class.
Volume production of the first R107 car, the 350 SL, started in April 1971 alongside the last of the W113 cars; the 350 SLC followed in October. Sales in North America began in 1972, and cars wore the name 350 SL, but had a larger 4.5L V8 (and were renamed 450 SL for model year 1973); the big V8 became available on other markets with the official introduction of the 450 SL/SLC on non-North American markets in March 1973. US cars sold from 1972 through 1975 used the Bosch D Jetronic fuel injection system, an early electronic engine management system.
From July 1974 both SL and SLC could also be ordered with a fuel-injected 2.8L straight-6 as 280 SL and SLC. US models sold from 1976 through 1979 used the Bosch K Jetronic system, an entirely mechanical fuel injection system. All US models used the 4.5 liter engine, and were called 450 SL/SLC.
...
Wikipedia