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Mercedes-Benz 350 SL test - comfortable and safe touring car (ZQ)

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Created on August 5, 1971

Reading time 12min

Written by:

«AR»-Test-Team

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Archiv

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Archiv

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Mercedes-Benz 350 SL (1971) - elegantes und sicherer Reisewagen

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Mercedes-Benz 350 SL (1971) - das Cabrio mit aufgesetztem Coupé-Dach

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Mercedes-Benz 350 SL (1971) - offen am schönsten, hier mit den geschiedeten Aluminiumfelgen

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Mercedes-Benz 350 SL (1971) - von vorne gesehen sieht man die charakteristische Form des Hardtops gut

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Mercedes-Benz 350 SL (1971) - Heckansicht mit der charakteristischen Kofferraumdeckelform

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Mercedes-Benz 350 SL (1971) - Typenschild weist auf den V8-Motor hin

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Mercedes-Benz 350 SL (1971) - geräumiger, wenn auch flacher Kofferraum

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Mercedes-Benz 350 SL (1971) - grosses Lenkrad aus dem C111, übersichtliche Armaturen

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Mercedes-Benz 350 SL (1971) - der Achtzylinder in V-Form füllt den Motorraum gut aus, ist aber für Wartungsarbeiten gut zugänglich

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Mercedes-Benz 350 SL (1971) - in Deutschland gelangen serienmässig Zweifaden-Halogenlampen zum Einsatz, in anderen Ländern steht 1971 die Zulassung unmittelbar bevor

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Mercedes-Benz 350 SL (1971) - Türpfosten mit höherer Festigkeit und integrierten Windabweisern zur Reduktion der Verschmutzung der Seitenscheiben

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Mercedes-Benz 350 SL (1971) - die geschmiedeten Leichtmetallräder mit Liifterschaufeln kosten 1550 Franken - das Gewicht der ungefederten Massen verringert sich damit um rund 20 kg

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Summary

In the summer of 1971, Automobil-Revue tested the new Mercedes-Benz 350 SL (R107) with automatic and manual transmission. The summary shows the positive experiences of the test drivers: "Although fundamentally different from its predecessor 280 SL in terms of engine, chassis and body, the 350 SL is not really a new design, but a successful synthesis of elements that have been selected from the entire Mercedes-Benz production program and have already proven themselves in the various models. The latest two-seater from Untertürkheim is therefore inherently mature. As a sporty, luxurious touring car, it comes up against formidable competition in the price range of around 40,000 francs - the additional price of around 5,000 francs compared to the basic version of the 280 SL is more than justified by the technical improvements - from equally renowned manufacturers, some of which are superior in terms of performance. The strengths of the latest Mercedes offspring lie in the design, which is geared towards safety down to the last detail, in the quality of workmanship, which can hardly be surpassed, and not least in the unusual limousine comfort. The 350 SL in no way encourages an extremely sporty driving style, although the rev-happy engine and unproblematic handling would lead one to expect the opposite. With this car, however, you can be sure of reaching even distant destinations effortlessly, comfortably, quickly and safely."

This article contains the following chapters

High-revving V8
Unproblematic and mature
Automatic recommended
Safe to drive
Luxury and finish
Summary
Mercedes-Benz 350 SL - Assessment
Test results and technical data

Estimated reading time: 12min

Preview (beginning of the article)

The evolution of the SL model line from Stuttgart-Untertürkheim, which has now lasted over 17 years, has taken another significant step forward with the development of the 350 SL. This new two-seater with 3.5-liter V8 engine, semi-trailing arm rear axle and numerous safety and comfort features is the fastest, most comfortable and safest car in this series to date. Only the already legendary 300 SL high-performance sports car of the 1950s, a descendant of the famous Mercedes-Benz racing cars, was even more powerful; due to its uncompromising design, however, this model never belonged to the brand's far more civilian range of comfortable Gran Turismos, but undoubtedly established the nimbus of all Mercedes cars with the designation "SL".

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