Mercedes-Benz 350 SL

In April 1971, a new SL rolls onto the road, the Mercedes 350 SL. The car measured 4.39 meters in length, 1.79 meters in width and a sporty 1.30 meters in height with the top down. For the first time in the history of the model series, the timelessly beautiful model was powered by an eight-cylinder engine with 200 hp. The internal designation was also a premiere, as for the first time the number was preceded by an „R“ for roadster instead of a „W“ for wagon. In the case of the 350 SL, it was the R 107 series.

On June 18, 1986, the decision was made to start series production of the R 107 series. News from the USA, which reported on increased safety standards, caused quite a stir in the discussion. Hans Scherenberg, Head of Development at the time, vehemently argued that the car should nevertheless be produced as an open two-seater with a fabric roof and additional hardtop, rather than as a Targa, similar to the 911.

In order to meet global safety standards and set new benchmarks in terms of safety, Béla Barényi's safety concept with front and rear crumple zones and the rigid passenger cell was further developed for the 107. This time, the floor assembly did not come from a saloon, but was an independent frame floor system. Equipped with a closed cardan tunnel and box-shaped cross and longitudinal members with different sheet thicknesses, this ensured precisely defined crumple behavior. The A-pillar and windshield were also completely redeveloped and resulted in a 50% higher strength compared to the predecessor model. To further contribute to safety, both the windshield and the rear window (hardtop) were glued into the frame.

Inside, the hard dashboard has given way to a shock-absorbing and foam-padded sheet metal structure. and in both the upper and knee areas. Switches and levers were recessed and the steering wheel was completely redesigned with the exception of the tried-and-tested bumper. The fuel tank was now installed collision-protected above the rear axle instead of at the rear, from March 1980 ABS was already available as an extra and from January 1982 there were even airbags and belt tensioners.

One visual innovation was the ribbed wide-strip tail lights, which can also be found on many later models.

Because the 107 was initially to be equipped with rotary piston engines, the transmission and cardan tunnels were generously dimensioned due to the greater installation height. Three- and four-disc engines were planned. The KE 413 four-disc test engine in the R 107 produced an impressive 277 hp and although the advantages were clear, chief engineer Hans Scherenberg and his specialist for combustion and exhaust gas issues, Kurt Obländer, were also aware of the disadvantages of the Wankel engine and ultimately decided to install tried-and-tested petrol engines.

In August 1989, after more than 18 years of series production of the 350 SL, the successful model was discontinued. A total of 237,287 roadsters and 62,888 coupés were produced in Sindelfingen, of which the examples that are still intact today are sought-after, reliable and timeless classic cars.