The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class roadster is one of the world's great glamour cars. It's the preferred vehicle of people who need to flee packs of paparazzi, and owners of really long driveways. Every Mercedes-Benz SL is an intriguing mix of Mercedes' high-content, hyper-rational engineering and the frivolity that's inherent in a 2-ton car that can only carry two people and not much of their luggage.
Ironically, the first Mercedes-Benz SL-Class car wasn't a roadster. Instead it was the legendary 300SL "Gullwing" coupe originally conceived to spearhead Mercedes' return to international sports car racing in the mid-1950s. Built between 1954 and '57, the original 300SL was constructed around a tubular space frame chassis with particularly high sills necessitating the unusual top-hinged doors.
Powered by a 3.0-liter SOHC straight-6 tilted 45 degrees, the original 300SL remains one of the greatest cars of all time. But there's not that much demand for hard-core sports cars with funky doors, and in 1958 the 300SL was re-engineered and rebodied as a roadster. It's that first 300SL roadster that leads directly to today's Mercedes-Benz SL-Class.
Like every Mercedes-Benz SL-Class since, the first 300SL had conventional doors and an interior of supreme comfort for two. And every SL since then has been an icon of its age. There was the "pagoda roof" W113 SL built between 1963 and 1971 that was as sophisticated and gorgeous as Julie Christie. It was succeeded in 1971 by the R107 that featured V8 engines for the first time and projected the confident beauty of Jacqueline Bisset.
The intimidating, high-tech R128 SL arrived in 1989, bringing with it the first available V12 engine and the hard-edged beauty of Linda Evangelista. The first SL of the 21st century arrived in 2002 carrying an intricate folding hardtop and available in AMG-tuned form for the first time. Let's go with Adriana Lima as the corresponding gorgeous icon here. Every Mercedes-Benz SL-Class machine has been unforgettable.
There's always been a certain arrogance that comes with the SL-Class. It's well deserved. Whether with soft top down or hardtop firmly in place, the arrival of a Mercedes-Benz SL-Class means someone special has just shown up for the party.
