History of Mercedes-Benz 500 SL & SLC
Mercedes has been releasing the SL (Sportlich-Leicht or English: Sport Lightweight) series lineup since 1954. In that year, for the first time, the famous 300 SL was presented. It had his famous doors reminiscent of gull wings. This car for a long time remained in the hearts of motorists and still occupies the best places in world collections.
In 1955 SL 190 came out. It was more stylish, but mechanically inferior to its predecessor. It was the last car of the first generation SL.
The second generation SL began with the SL 230 of 1963 release. It had lower waistline, big curved screens and a distinctive optional hardtop that has received a nickname 'pagoda top'. For nine years of production, the second-generation SL engine has grown from 2.3 liters (230SL) to 2.5 liters (250SL) and finally to 2.8 liters (280SL).
In 1971, the SL of the third generation (R107) was launched, initially with a larger 3.5-liter (350SL) engine connected to an automatic four-speed transmission. The car featured two-door monocoque bodyshell with independent suspension all round-double wishbone and coil springs at the front and semi-trailing arms and coil springs at the rear. The power-assisted steering was the Daimler-Benz's own recirculating ball system. Braking was by discs all round - ventilated on the front.
Next year, the range was added 4.5-liter 450SL and 2.8-liter 280SL. The latter became available in the UK since October 1980 and stayed in until 1985, when in 1985 it was replaced by 300SL.
The 300SL model was powered by a 2962cc straight-six engine that produced 185bhp at 5,700rpm and 188lbft of torque at 4,400 - sufficient output to endow the car with rapid acceleration and a potential top speed of 130mph.
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Characteristics of Classic Car Mercedes-Benz 500 SL
| Produced: | MY 1980–1989 (SL) MY 1980–1981 (SLC) |
| Engine: | 90° 8-cylinder-V engine (four-stroke), front-mounted |
| Bore x Stroke: | 96.5 mm x 85 mm |
| Displacement: | 4973 cc |
| Max. Power @ rpm: | 240 PS (177 kW; 237 hp) @ 5000 |
| Max. Torque @ rpm: | 402 N⋅m (296 lb⋅ft) @ 3200 |
| Compression Ratio: | 9.0: 1 |
| Fuel feed: | Fuel injection, Bosch D-Jetronic (-1976), K-Jetronic (-1980), K-Jetronic with Lambda (-1985) and from 1985 KE-Jetronic |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 90 L (23.8 US gal; 19.8 imp gal), from 1985: 85 L (22.5 US gal; 18.7 imp gal) |
| Valvetrain: | SOHC, duplex chain |
| Cooling: | Water |
| Gearbox: | 4- or 5-speed manual standard on 380/420/450/500: 3-speed automatic, from 1980: 4-speed automatic rear wheel drive |
| Electrical system: | 12 volt |
| Front suspension: | Double wishbones, coil springs, additional rubber springs, stabilising bar |
| Rear suspension: | Diagonal swing axle, coil springs, stabilising bar |
| Brakes: | Disc brakes (Ø 278 mm front, 279 mm rear; from 1985: 284/279 mm), power assisted ABS from 1980 on request or standard |
| Steering: | Recirculating ball steering |
| Body structure: | Sheet steel, unibody construction |
| Dry weight: | SL: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb) SLC: 1,570 kg (3,460 lb) |
| Loaded weight: | SL: 1,960 kg (4,320 lb) SLC: 2,005 kg (4,420 lb) |
| Track front/rear: | 1,452 mm (57.2 in) 1,440 mm (57 in) from 1985: 1,461 mm (57.5 in) 1,465 mm (57.7 in) |
| Wheelbase: | SL:2,460 mm (97 in); SLC: 2,820 mm (111 in) |
| Length: | SL: 4,390 mm (173 in); SLC: 4,750 mm (187 in) |
| Width: | 1,790 mm (70 in) |
| Height: | SL: 1,300 mm (51 in); SLC: 1,330 mm (52 in) |
| Tire sizes: | 205/70VR14 |
| Top speed: | 225 km/h (140 mph) |
| Fuel Consumption (estimates): | 18.5 litres per 100 kilometres (15.3 mpg‑imp; 12.7 mpg‑US) |
Gallery Mercedes-Benz 500 SL Classic Cars
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