Mercedes-Benz 280 SL
(1971 - 1985)
Car articles about Mercedes-Benz 280 SL by year
Car fans once dreamed of top-of-the-range or super sports cars. Since the turn of the millennium, however, hypercars have been regarded as the ultimate in automotive transportation. But whether they offer real driving pleasure is doubtful. To prove this thesis, this article takes you through the development of the sports car up to the present day and shows many of the cars mentioned in pictures.
A new era began with the Mercedes-Benz 350 SL. The successor to the Pagoda had been developed with the American market in mind as a safety sports car and was significantly heavier with an eight-cylinder engine and larger dimensions. But that wasn't the only reason why people were skeptical at first; critics also didn't like its looks. Almost 50 years have passed since then and the R107 is one of the most popular classics of all time. This report goes back to the beginnings and portrays a 350 SL from 1971, tells the history of the model series and shows the vehicles in current and historical pictures, supplemented by sales literature and sound samples.
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."
The R107 was a great success for Mercedes-Benz in 1971, and the comfortable touring sports car was ultimately produced until 1989. More comfort and more safety were at the top of the engineers' list of priorities. These qualities also convinced a certain Nicolae Ceaușescu, the supreme ruler of Romania at the time. This very car will now be auctioned in Stuttgart on March 19, 2016. This report describes the characteristics of the first R107 models and shows the Ceaușescu-350 SL in many pictures.
A Mercedes is comfortable, a BMW is sporty. That has always been the case. However, it was a little different in this 1974 test, in which the competitors were also able to shine with unexpected characteristics.
People had actually expected a small Benz from Mercedes; the magazines were full of speculation at the end of the sixties. But then came the Stroke Eight, which replaced the small tail fin and looked completely different from its predecessor. And it was also available with a really powerful engine, the 2.8-liter inline six-cylinder with two overhead camshafts. A predecessor of the AMG sports saloons? This report tells the story of the Stroke Eight and the most powerful model and shows the cars in many historical and modern photos.
It was not just one luxury sedan among many. It was the luxury sedan. The one against which all others had to measure themselves. The one that was only measured against the very highest standards. The Mercedes-Benz W 116 once again drew from the full before lightweight construction and air resistance put an end to the Swabian solid construction of steel and chrome. This article describes why the first S-Class, even with its six-cylinder engine, belonged to the pinnacle of automotive engineering and shows a picture of a Caledonia green 280 SE.
Externally, there were only minimal distinguishing features, but when connoisseurs spotted a Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC coupé with a rubber lip on the trunk lid and the number "5.0" on the right-hand side of the rear in 1978, the driver was sure to receive an appreciative nod. After all, this Mercedes-Benz was the fastest car from Sindelfingen at the time and quite expensive too. Only 1977 of the lightweight coupé were built between 1978 and 1980, a good reason to dedicate a detailed report with many photos to the SLC 5.0.
In the seventies and eighties, the Mercedes W123 model series was an integral part of the everyday street scene. In addition to private individuals, its regular customers included cab drivers, who appreciated the comfort, reliability and durability of what was then the most successful model series. Today, the W123 is a popular classic, but there are no longer many of them in our part of the world, as some have been exported and are used as cabs or limousines abroad.
Over 35 years ago, Mercedes presented the S-Class of the W 126 series, the superlative saloon that was more aerodynamic, safer and more innovative than all the competition. Only the simple and unusual design initially caused some controversy, but the continuing success and over 800,000 units produced proved that Mercedes was right. This driving report portrays a Mercedes-Benz 500 SE of the first W-126 generation and describes its development and special features.
Between 1971 and 1989, Mercedes built the R107 and the coupé variant C107 as the 280 SL to 560 SL and 280 SLC to 500 SLC respectively. Commercially, the model series was a great success and the R107 was the longest-built SL ever; the predecessors W198, W113 and the successors were all built over much shorter periods of time. The last examples of the R107 series became classics from the assembly line and today, together with their older brothers, enjoy a large fan community.
It took almost eight years to develop and prepare for production, and then the cab drivers refused to accept progress, even organizing protest rallies because they preferred the predecessor. And today, almost 35 years later, the Mercedes-Benz 124 model series is known as the last "real" Mercedes. Over two million saloons were built over 11 years, and today they are as popular as their predecessors. This report describes the history of the 124 model series, portrays a 280 E from 1993 and explains how it feels today, 25 years after its production.
Current market prices for Mercedes-Benz 280 SL
Convertible, 170 PS, 2778 cm3
Convertible, 185 PS, 2746 cm3
Convertible, 185 PS, 2746 cm3
Coupe, 185 PS, 2746 cm3
Coupe, 160 PS, 2778 cm3
Convertible, 160 PS, 2778 cm3
Coupe, 200 PS, 3499 cm3
Convertible, 200 PS, 3499 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 140 PS, 2778 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 160 PS, 2778 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 160 PS, 2778 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 200 PS, 3499 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 200 PS, 3499 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 194 PS, 4489 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 196 PS, 4489 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 160 PS, 2746 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 160 PS, 2746 cm3
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Auctioned vehicles of Mercedes-Benz 280 SL
| Brand | Model | Year | Status | Auction name | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz 280 SL (107) 1983 Sold SWVA Poole Auction (July 29, 2016) |
280 SL (107) | 1983 | Sold | SWVA Poole Auction (July 29, 2016) | |
| Mercedes-Benz 280 SL (107) 1984 Sold Anglia Car Auctions Kings Lynn Auction (November 7, 2015) |
280 SL (107) | 1984 | Sold | Anglia Car Auctions Kings Lynn Auction (November 7, 2015) | |
| Mercedes-Benz 280 SL (107) 1985 Sold Brightwells Classic & Vintage Sale (March 2, 2016) |
280 SL (107) | 1985 | Sold | Brightwells Classic & Vintage Sale (March 2, 2016) | |
| Mercedes-Benz 280 SL auto hardtop 1984 Sold Silverstone Auctions The Autumn Sale 2014 (September 20, 2014) |
280 SL auto hardtop | 1984 | Sold | Silverstone Auctions The Autumn Sale 2014 (September 20, 2014) | |
| Mercedes-Benz 280 SL (107) 1985 Sold Silverstone Auctions The May Sale (May 23, 2015) |
280 SL (107) | 1985 | Sold | Silverstone Auctions The May Sale (May 23, 2015) | |
| Mercedes-Benz 280 SL (107) 1983 Sold SWVA Poole (January 29, 2016) |
280 SL (107) | 1983 | Sold | SWVA Poole (January 29, 2016) | |
| Mercedes-Benz 280 SL (107) 1985 Not Sold Charterhouse Dorset Sale (July 19, 2015) |
280 SL (107) | 1985 | Not Sold | Charterhouse Dorset Sale (July 19, 2015) | |
| Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Cabriolet 1983 Sold Bonhams Les Grand Marques du Monde à Paris (February 2, 2023) |
280 SL Cabriolet | 1983 | Sold | Bonhams Les Grand Marques du Monde à Paris (February 2, 2023) | |
| Mercedes-Benz 280 SL (107) 1982 Sold H&H Classics Donington Park (February 24, 2016) |
280 SL (107) | 1982 | Sold | H&H Classics Donington Park (February 24, 2016) | |
| Mercedes-Benz 280 SL 1985 Sold Anglia Car Auctions Kings Lynn Auction (June 22, 2013) |
280 SL | 1985 | Sold | Anglia Car Auctions Kings Lynn Auction (June 22, 2013) |
Query all auctioned vehicles of Mercedes-Benz 280 SL
Engine sounds of Mercedes-Benz 280 SL vehicles (random selection)
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