Mercedes-Benz 450 SL
(1971 - 1980)
Car articles about Mercedes-Benz 450 SL by year
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.
"In the midst of a period of economic worries, Daimler-Benz is launching an expensive, large car that aspires to the pinnacle of today's automotive technology..." This was written in "Automobil Revue" in mid-May 1975, the year in which the car market had reached a low point. In fact, it seemed an anachronism for a car company to come out with a new super model during the "oil crisis" that certainly did not have economy written all over it. Nevertheless, the car was a success, with 7,380 vehicles being built. This report summarizes its technical specifications and refers to presentations and test reports. Of particular interest and worthy of note in this article are the original transcripts of the statements made by Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Scherenberg at the presentation, as well as the technical data and press information.
In 1975, Mercedes presented the 450 SEL 6.9, the top-of-the-range model of the W 116 S-Class. A powerful V8 with a displacement of 6.8 liters delivered over 280 hp and catapulted the saloon into sports car performance territory. This was also appreciated by the press and, of course, the celebrities of the time. This driving report describes the special features and characteristics of the large saloon and shows them in present-day and historical images, supplemented by a sound sample.
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.
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.
Current market prices for Mercedes-Benz 450 SL
Convertible, 224 PS, 4520 cm3
Coupe, 224 PS, 4520 cm3
Coupe, 239 PS, 5025 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 224 PS, 4520 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 224 PS, 4520 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 286 PS, 6834 cm3
Convertible, 170 PS, 2778 cm3
Convertible, 185 PS, 2746 cm3
Convertible, 200 PS, 3499 cm3
Convertible, 185 PS, 2746 cm3
Convertible, 218 PS, 3818 cm3
Convertible, 239 PS, 4973 cm3
Coupe, 185 PS, 2746 cm3
Coupe, 200 PS, 3499 cm3
Coupe, 218 PS, 3818 cm3
Coupe, 239 PS, 4973 cm3
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Auctioned vehicles of Mercedes-Benz 450 SL
| Brand | Model | Year | Status | Auction name | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz 450 SL (107) 1978 Sold H&H Classics The Imperial War Museum Motor Car Auction (October 14, 2015) |
450 SL (107) | 1978 | Sold | H&H Classics The Imperial War Museum Motor Car Auction (October 14, 2015) | |
| Mercedes-Benz 450 SL 1979 Sold RM/Sotheby's Auburn Fall (August 29, 2019) |
450 SL | 1979 | Sold | RM/Sotheby's Auburn Fall (August 29, 2019) | |
| Mercedes-Benz 450 SL (107) 1976 Not Sold Charterhouse The Footman James Classic Sale (November 8, 2015) |
450 SL (107) | 1976 | Not Sold | Charterhouse The Footman James Classic Sale (November 8, 2015) | |
| Mercedes-Benz 450 SL 1980 Sold Gooding & Co. Amelia Island (March 4, 2022) |
450 SL | 1980 | Sold | Gooding & Co. Amelia Island (March 4, 2022) | |
| Mercedes-Benz 450 SL (107) 1975 Sold Historics at Brooklands Brooklands Museum 7th March 2015 Cars (March 7, 2015) |
450 SL (107) | 1975 | Sold | Historics at Brooklands Brooklands Museum 7th March 2015 Cars (March 7, 2015) | |
| Mercedes-Benz 450 SL Ex-Hotel Sacher 1974 Sold Dorotheum Fahrzeug Auktionen Klasische Fahrzeuge (August 29, 2020) |
450 SL Ex-Hotel Sacher | 1974 | Sold | Dorotheum Fahrzeug Auktionen Klasische Fahrzeuge (August 29, 2020) | |
| Mercedes-Benz 450 SL (107) 1979 Not Sold Historics at Brooklands Brooklands Museum 7th March 2015 Cars (March 7, 2015) |
450 SL (107) | 1979 | Not Sold | Historics at Brooklands Brooklands Museum 7th March 2015 Cars (March 7, 2015) | |
| Mercedes-Benz 450 SL 1973 Sold Bonhams Quail (August 19, 2022) |
450 SL | 1973 | Sold | Bonhams Quail (August 19, 2022) | |
| Mercedes-Benz 450 SL 1980 Not Sold RM/Sotheby's Open Roads October Online Only (October 6, 2021) |
450 SL | 1980 | Not Sold | RM/Sotheby's Open Roads October Online Only (October 6, 2021) | |
| Mercedes-Benz 450 SL auto 1973 Sold Barons Sandown Park Sale (December 16, 2014) |
450 SL auto | 1973 | Sold | Barons Sandown Park Sale (December 16, 2014) |
Query all auctioned vehicles of Mercedes-Benz 450 SL
Engine sounds of Mercedes-Benz 450 SL vehicles (random selection)
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