The Mercedes R107 SL Is A Classy Cruiser That Defined The 80s! (1972 350SL Road Test)

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The Mercedes SL is the longest-lived, most iconic GT car of all time, beating out anything Britain or Italy has challenged it with. The R107 generation of 1971 was arguably peak SL, combining the glamour of its W113 Pagoda predecessor with V8 power, bombproof reliability, impeccable quality, a floaty, comfortable ride to cross continents and must-have status thanks to an appearance in American Gigolo and famous owners like Madonna, Bruce Lee and Donna Summers. Built in the peak Mercedes Benz era, the R107 was a triumph of engineering and design and laid waste to the Jaguar XJ-S, Maserati and Aston Martin. Does it live up to the legend over 50 years on? Joe took a very early 350 SL for a drive in the sunshine...
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[@Kiinell]

Always been my dream car and always will be.

[@Richard-Bullock]

The R107 along with the W/S/C123 was peak Mercedes, and in my opinion will never be bettered.

[@ciaranburke3243]

Can't believe it's over 50 years old little beauty 😍

[@christophers7070]

Actually the 560SL came out from 1986, not 1974. The V8s offered in the 70's were the 350 and 450.

[@MOSSFEEN]

Always remember these cars on the TV show Hart to Hart

[@blackpool321]

And driven by Bobby Ewing on Dallas

[@rustybearden1800]

I have to admit that I came late to the admiration party when it comes to these cars - back in the days, they were seen as stodgy and a bit old fashioned for us performance oriented guys in the Seventies. It's what your wealthy grandmother or stuffy uncle drove when they wanted to impress and they were sloth-like slow in performance and handling. But they were attractive, reliable and cushy comfortable and bank vault solid. And eye wateringly expensive. They got better as they were improved through their redesigns and upgrades. Now, everything old is new again and I've grown to admire and appreciate them. Always preferred the square headlight European style to the googly eyed round headlight versions we got in the US. They've aged remarkably well but again, can be heart attack expensive to restore and maintain as are the majority of German cars from this era. But I do love a gorgeous, open top roadster on a glorious day with no particular place to go. Beautiful car!

[@dimarcodrahgi5866]

Back in 2012 my first car was a white /blue interior Euro headlight 280SL w/ euro plates. So much more touch feel smell with these old cars, and the tank like build quality makes it feel so hefty elegant

[@stevencoffeen6684]

My dad had a '72 350SL and just after taking delivery he had problems. The gas tank leaked and upon a return to the car when shopping the interior floor was flooded with over and inch of gasoline! Then, and a short while later the driver side window just fell into the door. Mercedes corrected these problems, but one certainly did not expect these issues from such an iconic manufacturer. However, once corrected it was a fine automobile.

[@alexandrecouture2462]

Great video!

[@MarkGelderland]

Always liked the R107. Finding a real good, rustfree one today ain't easy, unfortunately.

[@lewdecker1442]

Got one cheap, only 28,000 miles. 86 560

[@MarkGelderland]

@@lewdecker1442 Good for you! The 560 wasn't sold in Europe (however there were a few imported later) so i take it you're from the USA; i don't know what you call cheap but in Europe you can't find a decent R107 < 25K €.

[@BEGGARWOOD1]

Loved mine.

[@Trooper_ChloeM]

Brought home a 1988 Mercedes 560sl r107, with all the American headlights and bumper (looks ugly); however, got it for quite cheap, and only needs some work. Around 3,000 usd, runs and works, just needs brakes, and regular maintenance, love the review!

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Good luck with the project, thanks for watching!

[@bogdanbosoi1483]

I have the same US model here in Europe and my oppinion from an aestethic perspective is that double headlights fits better to the R107 ( minus the US bumpers).

[@chener77]

US version is a Beauty.Much more elegant and impressive.

[@thomash2806]

It was Hart to Hart that did it for me…

[@jimmyquinn9639]

Another good video 🚘🚙🚗👍👍👍👍👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@robertlloyd7493]

Very smart 👍

[@davidarter9670]

Fabulous car. …..and the 350SL’s would be ULEZ exempt, too!

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

What's not to love?

[@bizmyurt8582]

560SL was american only from 1986. 280SL started in 1974 because of the oilcrises! Already from start you had 450SL in us. 350 became 380 and 450 500.

[@roygardiner2229]

It's just a mite too Teutonic for me. I'd prefer the not so solid but more charming Jaguars and Rovers.

Great video, great car, a real " Made in West-Germany" but I would do a meticulous cleaning before the video.

[@rob5944]

To be honest I thought that the SD1 looked better, lashed together for the American market or not

[@dickjones3009]

The US design is so much less attractive. Like the small bumpers and single lights. One concern I have with this car seems to be how some people feel the steering is a bit wobbly.

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

It's definitely numb, but that's how steering boxes tend to feel

[@arthurdardalis]

Love the 107, the car was designed with American specifications from the outset, personally it looks better with American specifications

[@bizmyurt8582]

very odd seeing R107 with steelwheels and they can't be original as they were painted as the bodycolour!

[@yvesolution181]

you are speaking about safety; but where are the headrests?

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Later cars had them, but there's always more safety gear possible...

[@geoffnicholson8364]

I owned a 560 SL and found it solid but a bit soulless.

[@roygardiner2229]

I don't know a lot about cars and don't own one. But....I do know what I like. I agree, that car creates an impression that is in line with your opinion.🙂

[@tonylee-UK]

They rot and the big V8's can devour oil and sound like a diesel.

[@lewdecker1442]

Have a 560, not loud, some oil

[@jamesreckling6697]

The R107 is not the best SL. The R129 is a much better machine. Nice review though!

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

R129 road test coming soon, actually!

[@lewdecker1442]

Not so, all the hydraulics replaced cost big time.

[@jamesreckling6697]

@@lewdecker1442 Got mine done for 2k. Good to go for decades now. More HP, netter handling, obd2 for 96 plus models and lots of other reasons make,it better.

[@andunabu3238]

Stateside = United States. Not hard to say…

[@geofffisher3902]

Nice car,shame about the legs

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Skipped the gym that day! -Joe