Description
“Sport Leicht“ (Sport Léger) are the two letters that christen the most emblematic and prestigious model from Stuttgart’s manufacturer. Even if the first SL that won Le Mans in 1952 justifies this patronym, the coupes / convertibles that have followed for over 70 years under this name have not all been paragons of lightness or sportiness… certainly the 300 SL “Gull-wing” of 1954 is regarded as the most beautiful car of the second half of the i-th century. It was the first to inaugurate petrol injection, which would not become widespread until thirty years later…
Its little sister 190 SL in 1955 was the roadster most desirable and best built at the time… but its 105 hp struggled to contribute to its sporting reputation!
French designer Paul Bracq was well inspired in 1963 when he signed the brilliant drawing of the new generation of SL, with its hard top whose roof echoed the pagoda-topped styles, hence the nickname that still applies today. Even if its lines were very pure and light, this version is more of a compromise between comfort and sportiness.
Radical change in 1971 for the one that was Mercedes’ greatest success among SL roadsters: the R 107. The line remains very clean and pure, but sportiness and lightness took off in favour of active and passive safety elements which became a rallying cry for Mercedes in the 70s and 80s. Nevertheless, it became for several generations the must-have cabriolet: no other is as well built as it, no other better illustrates the achieved success and glamour… It will remain 18 years in the catalogue and will forever be in the collective imagination the car of Bobby, Richard Gere, the Hart family, Eddie Murphy in Beverly Hills Cop…
Three generations followed during this period: from 1971 to 1980 the versions 280, 350 and 450 SL, the second, introducing more powerful, lighter engines, mindful of consumption constraints: the 280, 380 and 500SL. Finally the third, presented in September 1985 in Frankfurt, recognisable by its new flat 15-inch alloy wheels, its integrated front spoiler and widened tracks for increased stability.
The engines are as follows: 300, 420 (Europe only), 500 and 560 (US, Asia and Australia only).
It is indeed this last version, logically regarded as the best and most refined, that we present to you today. Delivered new in Germany on 6 May 1987 as evidenced by its maintenance log, this 500 SL is fitted with the most powerful engine mounted on a 107 in series. It will be registered in France in 1999 and then join the extensive collection of its last owner in May 2007.
It is equipped with virtually all of the options available at the time on the model, here is the list of the main ones:
199. Black metallic
. Beige leather
. 4-seat version
. Automatic climate control
. Heated seats
. Becker cassette radio with automatic aerial
. Airbag
. Headlight washers
…
We have the car’s history as well as the original service book and on-board documents. It has covered only 8, 000 km in the last 19 years: we have carried out recommissioning in accordance with the rules, the radiator and cooling circuit components replaced, engine/ gearbox/ brake system oil changes carried out.
The bodywork has been polish-burnished, the beige leather shows a light and elegant patina: it has been nourished but not restored. The black alpaca soft top, finally, has been renewed.
Thus this is a very fine European Mercedes 107 roadster that we offer you, in a particularly desirable configuration, with traceable history, which will have its place in the collection of a discerning enthusiast.
