Mercedes Benz 300 SL W 121, W 198, W 113, R 107,R 129, R 230, R 231 slideshow beuty shots
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupé from the W 198 model series (1954 to 1957)
What a launch: In February 1954, the 300 SL standard-production sports car (W 198) celebrated its world premiere at the International Motor Sport Show in New York. Next to it at the show was the near-production level prototype of the future 190 SL Roadster (W 121). Both cars underlined the direct tradition of standard-production sports cars with the race-proven SL abbreviation. Maximilian E. Hoffman, importer of Mercedes-Benz cars for the US market, dedicated considerable effort to encouraging their production.

Mercedes-Benz 190 SL of the W 121 model series (1955 to 1963)
The Mercedes-Benz 190 SL was designed as an elegant, open sports car. In 1954, the Stuttgart-based brand presented it together with the 300 SL at the International Motor Sports Show in New York. “Due to its high standard of comfort, [it is] intended for a group of buyers wishing to cover even long distances at high cruising speeds in this car of highly sporty outer appearance.” This was how Mercedes-Benz designer Josef Müller summed it up in 1957.

Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster of the W 198 model series (1957 to 1963)
In 1957, the 300 SL Roadster replaced the “Gullwing” coupé. Like its predecessor, this car was created on the initiative of Maximilian E. Hoffmann. Technically, the roadster corresponded to a large extent to the coupé; by modifying the side sections of the roll cage, it was possible to reduce the sill height to such an extent that normal doors could be used.

Mercedes-Benz SL of the W 113 model series (1963 to 1971)
Mercedes-Benz unveiled the new 230 SL (W 113) at the 1963 Geneva Motor Show. It was designed as a comfortable, high-performance two-seater touring car and replaced the 190 SL (W 121) and 300 SL Roadster (W 198). The exterior featured clean, straight lines and the SL front with the large central Mercedes star. The optional hardtop with its high windows and the concave shaped roof supported by narrow pillars was reminiscent of Asian temple buildings, which quickly earned the W 113 the nickname “Pagoda”. The basis of the floor assembly were the Mercedes-Benz “tail fin” saloons of the 111 model series, the world’s first passenger cars with a safety body. This SL generation also benefited from corresponding contemporary research.

Mercedes-Benz SL from the R 107 model series (1971 to 1989)
The SL of the R 107 model series premiered in spring 1971, starting with the 350 SL. For the first time in the history of the Mercedes-Benz SL, the car was powered by an eight-cylinder engine. The 450 SL followed in 1973. The model series exuded elegance and solidity. The crash performance of this open-top two-seater car was way ahead of its time. From a technical point of view, for example, this was reflected in the carefully defined crumple behaviour of the body and bodyshell structure, as well as an interior that was consistently designed to accommodate safety criteria.

Mercedes-Benz SL from the R 129 model series (1989 to 2001)
At the Geneva Motor Show in 1989 Mercedes-Benz presented the SL from the R 129 model series. The confidently stylish, straightforward lines of the slightly wedge-shaped body, the flared wheel arches, the split front spoiler, a very steeply raked windscreen, the skilfully modelled rear and alloy wheels as standard equipment made for an exceptionally harmonious overall effect. With this vehicle the brand hit the bull’s eye: production capacity was soon fully booked. Some customers accepted delivery times of several years.

Mercedes-Benz SL from model series R 230 (2001 to 2012)
In 2001, the next SL generation with the internal code R 230 made its debut. Its most striking innovation was the steel folding Vario roof: for the first time in the history of the Mercedes-Benz SL, it enabled both an open car and a coupé in one. The transformation took place within 16 seconds. The design of the R 230 model series combined tradition and the future by means of striking details. For example, the marked air vents in the front wings picked up on a typical feature of the legendary 300 SL from the 1950s. The narrow, ridge-like profiles on these side air openings were also reminiscent of the fins of the legendary W 198. Top models were the SL 55 AMG (350 kW/476 hp, 2001), SL 600 (368 kW/500 hp, 2003) and the SL 65 AMG (450 kW/612 hp, 2004).

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