1979 Mercedes-Benz 450 SL

History

Short for “Sports Lightweight”, the Mercedes-Benz SL has long been a standard-bearer of high-end German automotive engineering. With ancestors like the famed Gullwing and W113 “Pagoda”, the R107 SL-series had big shoes to fill when it hit the market in the early 1970s. Considering worldwide sales of more than 300,000 cars, it is fair to say the R107 was a hit.

Due to the popularity of the preceding W113 generation in North America, the new R107 was created with the US and Canada in mind. This included specialized engines, quad headlights and unique bumpers to ensure it would satisfy federal regulations on this side of the pond. Mercedes ultimately sold two-thirds of all R107 SLs over here during an 18-year production run, creating a deeply ingrained love of this highly regarded European classic.