Forgotten movie cars: The Mercedes-Benz SL from "Jackie Brown"
A small arms dealer who thinks he's a big shot naturally doesn't drive an old American car – but a not-so-old German one. Instead of a classic muscle car, Quentin Tarantino puts his narrow-gauge trafficker Ordell in a Mercedes-Benz SL of the 107 series. In 1997, when the film was made, it was no longer brand-new, but with the eight-hole wheels of its successor, it still looked youthful.
The year of manufacture and model are not known. The only reliable information is incidental. The alarm system emits a high-pitched "U-uh-u" when unlocked and the amplifier of the stereo system is set just the way Ordell likes it. He doesn't say a word about the engine. But this is also unimportant, because most of the time the black convertible with the coupé roof stands motionless at the side of the road – either in front of the bail office or the Cockatoo Inn.
It is only when the title character Jackie "borrows" the Benz from Ordell that it starts to move for any length of time. The fact that the stewardess, who has just cheated him out of 500,000 dollars, may also be adjusting the amplifier might be no longer a problem for the owner.
