Mercedes 500 SL R107 - 1987

Mercedes-Benz 500 SL (R107, 1985–1989) arrived as the final and most mature European V8 interpretation of the long-lived R107 roadster. The SL story began in 1971, but a major late-life refresh in 1985 tightened the package: updated Bosch KE‑Jetronic injection, safety upgrades, and new 15-inch “Gullideckel” alloys signalled the last chapter before the R129 took over in 1989.

Why the 500? In Europe it answered a desire for effortless torque without the emissions compromises that defined US-market SLs. The 5.0-litre M117 V8 in its post-1985 tune delivered around 245 PS (or ~231 PS with catalytic converter), backed by a broad plateau of torque. It was a consummate GT: quiet, impeccably built, and reassuringly secure at speed, leaning more toward grand touring polish than knife-edge sports-car agility.

Contemporaries included the Jaguar XJ-S, Porsche 911 Cabriolet and Ferrari Mondial Cabrio. Each offered a distinct flavour—Jaguar for wafting V12 glam, Porsche for rear-engined verve, Ferrari for exotic theatre—but the 500 SL carved a uniquely Mercedes niche: bank-vault solidity, safety leadership (ABS widely fitted; driver airbag available), and day‑in, day‑out usability. The 1985 facelift brought subtle aero and chassis improvements, the four-spoke steering wheel and revised seats, and the switch to 205/65 R15 tyres that improved high-speed stability.

Period reviews praised its refinement, braking and long-distance comfort, if noting predictable understeer pushed hard and steering that traded ultimate feel for calm precision. Performance remained quietly effective—circa 7.5–8.0 s to 100 km/h and ~225–230 km/h—delivered through a silky 4‑speed automatic; a 5‑speed manual existed but was vanishingly rare and is prized today.

On screen, R107 SLs became cultural shorthand for success—ubiquitous in 1980s TV from Dallas to Hart to Hart. While many of those were 450/380s, the 500 SL shares the same unmistakable silhouette: long bonnet, compact cabin, and that detachable hardtop that turned it into a miniature coupe for winter. The model’s celebrity draw extended off‑camera too; the R107 was a Beverly Hills driveway fixture throughout the decade.

As a brand ambassador, the 500 SL capped an 18‑year run that cemented the SL as the quintessential Mercedes luxury roadster. It proved that longevity and continuous improvement could outgun fashion cycles. By 1989, the tech-laden R129 would move the game on, but enthusiasts still revere the last 500 SLs for their blend of analog charm, modern safety and indestructible build—an archetypal ‘80s Mercedes that wears its years with authority.