Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Roadster · 3rd generation SL

R107

One shape, eighteen years, four engines deep.

Production
1971–1989
Built
237,287
Body
2-door roadster
Top model
560 SL
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Roadster (R107)

Introduced in 1971 to replace the "Pagoda," the R107 became Mercedes-Benz’s longest-running SL — one silhouette carried from the six-cylinder 280 SL to the V8-powered 560 SL across eighteen model years.

Under a body that barely changed, the range moved through three engine families: the inline-six M110, the small-block V8 M116, and the larger-block V8 M117 — each identified by its own chassis, engine and transmission codes as displacement grew from 2.8 to 5.6 liters and emissions rules reshaped the lineup market by market.

Mercedes-Benz built 237,287 roadsters over the run — part of a wider 300,175-unit chassis-107 family that also included the fixed-roof SLC coupé — making the R107 the best-selling SL of its time and the benchmark its successor, the R129, had to beat.

R107 interior
The R107 cabin, largely unchanged in layout across its eighteen-year production run.

Every model.

Sixteen model rows across 1971–1989 — from the inline-six 280 SL to the 5.6-liter 560 SL, each identified by its chassis, engine and transmission numbers.

ModelModel yearsChassisEngineTransmissionTotal
280 SL1974–1976107.042110.982722.103 · 722.11225,436
280 SL1977–1981107.042110.986722.103 · 722.112included above
280 SL1982–1985107.042110.990722.103 · 722.112included above
300 SL1986–1989107.041103.98213,742
350 SL1971–1976107.043116.982722.002 · 722.20115,304
350 SL1977–1980107.043116.984722.002 · 722.201included above
350 SL 4.51972107.044117.982722.001 · 722.004included above
380 SL1981107.045116.96053,200
380 SL1982–1985107.045116.962included above
420 SL1986–1989107.047116.9642,148
450 SL1973–1976107.044117.982722.001 · 722.00466,298
450 SL1977–1980107.044117.985722.001 · 722.004included above
500 SL1980–1981107.046117.96011,812
500 SL1982–1985107.046117.960included above
500 SL1986–1989107.046117.964included above
560 SL1986–1989107.048117.96749,347

* The published production figure covers every series of that model; the source does not break it down further.

722x Automatic transmission
R107 side profile
The R107’s low, wide profile stayed recognizable from the 280 SL to the 560 SL.

Year by year.

Two major facelifts and nearly two decades of running changes shaped the R107 — from the oil-crisis six to the North American 560 SL.

  1. 1971
    • Volume production begins (March/April) with the 350 SL: 3.5-liter M116 V8, fabric soft top and detachable hardtop as standard.
  2. 1973
    • 450 SL arrives with the 4.5-liter M117 V8; early North American cars that had worn a 350 SL badge with the larger engine are renamed 450 SL for model year 1973.
  3. 1974
    • 280 SL joins the range (July): fuel-injected 2.8-liter M110 straight-six, introduced in response to the oil crisis.
  4. 1975
    • From late 1975 into early 1976, 280/350/450 SL models switch injection systems to meet tougher emissions rules, with a slight reduction in power and torque.
  5. 1980
    • Geneva Motor Show facelift: cabin brought closer to the contemporary S-Class (including a new steering wheel), four-speed automatic replaces the three-speed unit, aluminum hood and a front spoiler.
    • Light-alloy S-Class-derived engines arrive: 380 SL replaces the 350 SL; new 500 SL becomes the flagship. The 280 SL continues.
    • ABS becomes available as an option.
  6. 1981
    • Autumn “Energy Concept” update for the 380 SL and 500 SL: higher compression, revised cam timing, new injection valves, electronic idle control and shorter axle ratios for lower consumption.
  7. 1982
    • Driver airbag becomes available as an option.
  8. 1985
    • Frankfurt Motor Show facelift (September): 15″ wheels (up from 14″), revised front suspension and a new engine lineup.
    • 300 SL (M103) replaces the 280 SL; 420 SL replaces the 380 SL; 500 SL gains KE-Jetronic and electronic ignition.
    • 560 SL introduced for North America, Australia and Japan. ABS becomes standard from the 1986 model year.
  9. 1989
    • Final R107 built on 4 August — a 500 SL in Astral Silver, now in the Mercedes-Benz Museum. Production totals 237,287 roadsters.
R107 rear three-quarter view
Broad taillights and twin exhausts mark the V8-powered cars of the later 107 range.

From straight-six to V8.

Two engine families are documented for the R107: the M110 inline-six and the M116 V8, spanning 2.7 to 4.2 liters of displacement.

M110

Inline-6
  • 110.982 2.7 L · 2,746 cc

    185 PS

    136 kW · 182 hp at 6,000 rpm

    238 N·m

    176 lb·ft at 4,500 rpm

  • 110.986 2.7 L · 2,746 cc

    185 PS

    136 kW · 182 hp at 5,800 rpm

    240 N·m

    177 lb·ft at 4,500 rpm

M116

V8
  • 116.982 3.5 L · 3,499 cc

    200 PS

    147 kW · 197 hp at 5,800 rpm

    286 N·m

    211 lb·ft at 4,000 rpm

  • 116.984 3.5 L · 3,499 cc

    200 PS

    147 kW · 197 hp at 5,800 rpm

    286 N·m

    211 lb·ft at 4,000 rpm

  • 116.960 3.8 L · 3,818 cc

    218 PS

    160 kW · 215 hp at 5,500 rpm

    299 N·m

    221 lb·ft at 4,000 rpm

  • 116.962 3.8 L · 3,818 cc

    218 PS

    160 kW · 215 hp at 5,500 rpm

    299 N·m

    221 lb·ft at 4,000 rpm

  • 116.964 4.2 L · 4,196 cc

    218 PS

    160 kW · 215 hp at 5,200 rpm

    324 N·m

    239 lb·ft at 4,000 rpm

M103

Inline-6
  • 103.982 3.0 L · 2,962 cc

    188 PS

    138 kW · 185 hp at 5,700 rpm

    255 N·m

    188 lb·ft at 4,400 rpm

M117

V8
  • 117.960 5.0 L · 4,973 cc

    240 PS

    177 kW · 237 hp at 5,000 rpm

    402 N·m

    296 lb·ft at 3,200 rpm

  • 117.964 5.0 L · 4,973 cc

    245 PS

    180 kW · 242 hp at 4,750 rpm

    392 N·m

    289 lb·ft at 3,750 rpm

  • 117.967 5.5 L · 5,547 cc

    230 PS

    170 kW · 227 hp at 4,750 rpm

    373 N·m

    275 lb·ft at 3,250 rpm

  • 117.982 4.5 L · 4,520 cc

    225 PS

    165 kW · 222 hp at 5,000 rpm

    378 N·m

    279 lb·ft at 3,000 rpm

  • 117.985 4.5 L · 4,520 cc

    217 PS

    160 kW · 214 hp at 5,000 rpm

    360 N·m

    266 lb·ft at 3,250 rpm