The Eight Cylinder wonder of the SL-Series!

(Source: Mercedes-Benz)

Idolized by people the world over, two-seater sports-car's are practically every teenagers dream. While the makes and models would vary, most automobile centre-folds have revolved around some variant of the other of this quintessential automotive form. It was the summer of 1971, when the Mercedes-Benz 350 SL rolled out of the Mercedes-Benz gates at Stuttgart. This marked the birth of the '107 Series'. Distinguishing itself from the previous runs of the 'SL' line-up was the one thing that mattered, the Engine. Yes, my friends, this was the first one to feature an eight-cylinder power-plant under its long, slender hood.

(Source: Mercedes-Benz)

 In its eighteen years of existence from the summer of 1971 to the end of 1989, this strong, self-confident, imposing open-top vehicle had become a legend. Exuding elegance and quality, the best-in-class crash characteristics made this one of the safest two-seaters out on the open road. And the icon would have turned out rather differently if the debates of 1968 were anything to go by. So intense were the discussions that their Development Head, Hans Scherenberg had to fight tooth and nail for the SL to go topless and feature an additional removable hard-top for inclement weather.

(Source: Mercedes-Benz)

Following the clamour for the coupé, the Body Design Head, presented a rough draft of a four seater coupé. This was fastracked into production and the four-seater sports coupé debuted six months later towards the end of 1971. While the SL-107 Series led to the introduction of many pioneering safety features in this series; it was the promise of open-top motoring in the starved US market, that basically led to high sales. The SL face that dominated the front end, the headlamps all exuded a powerful aura around the model. The grooves on the tail-lamps were another important feature. Not only were they distinctive in their design, but the ribbing also kept them from soiling.

(Source: Mercedes-Benz)

Even the folding-top was designed around the twin pillars of comfort and efficiency. Disappearing and appearing in a mere 30 seconds, once folded, it neatly disappeared underneath a cover. Small details like the dirt-repelling external mirror-covers that enhanced visibility and the wind-deflecting A-pillar mouldings were just the kind of things that one would expect from Mercedes-Benz.

(Source: Mercedes-Benz)

This is why, a well kept SL-Roadster or the Coupe, turns heads every where it goes, whatever part of the world that may be!