The Mercedes-Benz R107 and C107 are grand tourers produced from 1971 to 1989. The R107 was sold as the SL, a two-seat roadster, and the C107 as the SLC, a four-seat coupé with a fixed roof.
Mercedes-Benz R107 and C107 at a glance
| Production | 1971–1989 |
|---|---|
| R107 | two-seat roadster with a detachable hardtop |
| C107 | four-seat coupé on a 36 cm longer wheelbase |
| Chassis basis | components of the W114 |
| Engines at launch | M116 and M117 V8s |
| Straight six | 2.8-litre 280 SL and 280 SLC from July 1974 |
| Injection | Bosch D-Jetronic, then K-Jetronic from December 1975 |
| 450 SLC 5.0 | all-aluminium V8, 2,769 built, from 1977 |
| SLC production | 62,888 in ten years |
| Total built | 300,175, of which 204,373 (68%) in the United States |
| SLC end | 1981 |
| SL end | 1989 |
This article is based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the R107 and C107.
History of the Mercedes-Benz R107 and C107
The R107 and C107 took their chassis components from the 1968 W114 and were first fitted with the M116 and M117 V8 engines of the W108, W109 and W111 series. Volume production of the first R107, the 350 SL, began in April 1971 alongside the last W113 cars, and the 350 SLC followed in October. The body styles barely changed from 1971 to the end of the coupé in 1981 and the roadster in 1989, making the series the second longest single run in the company’s history after the G-Class.
The SL was a two-seat convertible with a standard soft top, an optional winter hardtop and only rarely a very small rear bench. The SLC was a two-door hardtop coupé on a 36 cm longer wheelbase with normal rear seats, and it was the only time Mercedes-Benz based an S-Class coupé on a stretched SL roadster rather than on a saloon. From July 1974 both could be ordered with a fuel-injected 2.8-litre straight six. All cars began with Bosch D-Jetronic injection, replaced in December 1975 by the mechanical K-Jetronic, with electronic ignition and hydraulic valve-lash compensation, and performance was slightly reduced to meet new emission laws.
In September 1977 the 450 SLC 5.0 joined the range as a homologation version for the 1978 World Rally Championship, with a new all-aluminium five-litre V8, aluminium bonnet and boot lid and spoilers, over 100 kg lighter than the 450 SLC and good for about 225 km/h; only 2,769 were built. In March 1980 the 380 SLC and 500 SLC replaced the earlier coupés, with a mild makeover and a four-speed automatic instead of three speeds. Production of the SLC ended in 1981 after 62,888 cars. The roadster continued as the 280 SL, 380 SL and 500 SL, and from September 1985 as the 300 SL, 420 SL, 500 SL and, for export markets including the United States, Australia and Japan, the 560 SL. The cars were strongly aimed at America: of 300,175 built, 204,373 were sold there.
Design and features
- Two bodies: the two-seat SL roadster and the four-seat SLC coupé.
- V8 power: the first SL models with V8 engines.
- American focus: 68 per cent of production went to the United States.
- Long life: 18 years for the roadster, the second longest Mercedes-Benz run.
Mercedes-Benz R107 and C107 versions
- 350 SL and 350 SLC (1971): 3.5-litre V8.
- 280 SL and 280 SLC (1974): 2.8-litre straight six.
- 450 SLC 5.0 (1977): aluminium V8 rally homologation, 2,769 built.
- 380 SLC and 500 SLC (1980): the last coupés.
- 300 SL, 420 SL and 500 SL (1985): the later roadsters.
- 560 SL: for the United States, Australia and Japan.
The R107 replaced the W113 and was replaced by the R129; its engine range came from the W116 and W126. More in the Mercedes-Benz collection.
Video: Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC R107
Video by YouTube on YouTube.
Sources
- Mercedes-Benz R107 and C107, English Wikipedia: models, engines, production, market
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