The Mercedes-Benz SL class has been a grand touring car manufactured by Mercedes-Benz since 1954. The designation SL derives from the German word, Sportlich-Leicht, Meaning Lightweight. The SL design was first applied to the 300 SL, often referred to as the “Gullwing” due to its Gullwing or upward opening doors. The SL generation has gone through 7 different body changes since the introduction of the 300 SL. When the car was introduced, Mercedes-Benz did not announce what the abbreviation “SL” meant right away. It is often assumed that the letters stand for the Sport Leicht. In 1986 Mercedes-Benz shipped its most powerful SL of the decade to the U.S. in the 560SL. At the time, the car was also the heaviest. Don’t let its weight fool you the 560SL was equipped with its new 5.5-liter engine delivering 227 horse power and a top speed of 130 Miles Per Hour. Compared to the 380SL, the 560SL had a much quicker 0 to 60 Mile Per Hour by about 4 full seconds. The engine was much torquier, too, which greatly improved the cars’ dynamics.

The Mercedes-Benz that we have on offer today is part of the 3^rd generation code named R107 which was in production from 1971-1989. This particular Mercedes-Benz is the 560 SL which was made from 1986-1989. The 560 SL was only sold in the United States, Canada, Japan, and Australia to compensate the reduced output of the 5.0-literes due to the stricter emission laws in these markets. This was the final year for the 560 SL.

The example on offer can be considered the most desirable year as a 1989 model that only reports 37,000 miles from new. Delivered new to the wife of a Mercedes Benz dealer in Florida, the car remained the primary car for Golf Outings and careful occasional use accruing only 36,228 miles by 2015 under the original ownership per the clean CARFAX report. Throughout this time service was completed as needed at a specialty shop as well as the dealer. Shortly after in 2016 the car changed hands to a dealer/collector in the MI area, and only 2 years later to its current owner, also a MI based collector. Upon his acquisition the car received a thorough servicing, which covered a complete cooling system refurbishment, drive belts, general tune up and comprehensive detailing and polishing as needed. Bringing this example both completely up-to-date and show worthy. Finished in complimenting colors, complete with all of its original books and tools, properly serviced and original in all respects this is indeed the right 107 SL to add to any discerning collection.

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