Mercedes 500 SL R107 - 1987

Mercedes-Benz 500 SL (R107, 1985–1989) arrived in the final act of one of Stuttgart’s longest-running success stories. The R107 SL had debuted back in 1971, but the autumn 1985 refresh gave the range its last and most mature form: new 15-inch ‘Gullideckel’ alloys, subtle trim tweaks, safety updates, and, for the 500 SL, a revised 5.0-litre V8 delivering up to 245 PS (non-catalyst) or 231 PS (with catalyst).

The 500 SL’s heart was the all-alloy M117 V8, a single-cam-per-bank, two-valve unit fed by Bosch KE‑Jetronic. Its lineage traced straight to the 450 SLC 5.0 rally cars that won long-distance events in the late 1970s, giving the roadster authentic competition DNA. In period tests the facelifted 500 SL was an autobahn-devouring GT: around 7.5 seconds to 100 km/h and 225–230 km/h flat out, backed by a syrup-smooth 4-speed automatic, independent suspension, and discs all round with ABS. It was more grand tourer than sports car, but few rivals matched its blend of refinement, thrust and build quality.

By the mid-’80s the luxury cabriolet field had sharpened. Jaguar’s XJ-S HE offered V12 charisma, BMW’s 635CSi (and M635CSi) delivered crisp handling, and Porsche’s 928 added transaxle poise. Mercedes didn’t chase lap times; instead, the 500 SL doubled down on effortless pace and vault-like engineering. The 1985 update also expanded emissions choices: many markets adopted three-way catalytic converters (with the slight power dip to 231 PS), while non-cat cars kept the full 245 PS. Either way, torque-rich delivery (circa 402 Nm) defined the car’s easy, long-legged character.

Brand impact was immense. The R107 series became a rolling ambassador for Mercedes values—safety, durability, quiet authority—and the 500 SL was the connoisseur’s European flagship while North America received the 560 SL. Pop culture loved the shape: the R107 body starred across ’80s screens in glossy TV hits like Dallas and Hart to Hart, cementing the SL as the choice of the well-heeled. Road tests praised its peerless finish and high-speed serenity, while gently chiding weight, thirst and steering feel that favoured stability over bite.

Curiosities abound. That removable factory hardtop weighs roughly 35–40 kg, turning the SL into a snug coupe for winter. A tiny rear ‘kinder’ seat could be specified, though most cars remained strict two-seaters. And despite an 18-year production run for the R107 line—over 237,000 built—the 500 SL stayed relatively rare (a touch over eleven thousand in total), enhancing its cachet today.

Production of the 500 SL ended in 1989 as the all-new R129 took over with multi-link suspension and airbags aplenty. Yet the late 500 SL remains a sweet spot: the classic chrome-bumpered profile, the last and best-developed running gear, and that imperious V8 soundtrack—timeless ingredients for anyone who prefers grand touring done the Mercedes way.