Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is a grand tourer sports car manufactured by Mercedes since 1954. The designation SL derives from the German Super-Leicht, (English: Super Light). The original idea was suggested by American importer Max Hoffman, who perceived a market for a toned-down Gran Prix car tailored to affluent performance enthusiasts in the booming post-war American market, which remains the primary market for the vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
Overview
Manufacturer	Daimler-Benz (1954–1998) DaimlerChrysler (1998–2007) Daimler AG (2007–present)
Production	1954–present
Assembly	Bremen, Germany Santiago Tianguistenco, Mexico
Body and chassis
Class	Sports car Grand tourer (S)
Body style	2-door coupe 2-door roadster
Layout	FR layout
Chronology
Predecessor	Mercedes-Benz SSK Mercedes-Benz 540K

The SL designation was first applied to the 300 SL, often referred to as the "Gullwing" due to its gullwing or upward-opening doors.

The term SL refers to the marketing variations of the vehicle, including the numerous engine configurations spanning six design generations.

Super-Leicht or Sport-Leicht

Mercedes-Benz did not announce what the abbreviation "SL" meant when the car was introduced.

Leicht is either "easy" as an adverb or "light" as an adjective in German. Defining a car it has to mean "Light".

It is often assumed that the letters stand for Sport Leicht. One car magazine in 2012 declared that the abbreviation "SL" - "securitized and personally signed by Rudolf Uhlenhaut " meant Super Leicht.[1] This contradicts "Mercedes-Benz 300 SL" of Engelen / Riedner / Seufert, which was produced in close cooperation with Rudolf Uhlenhaut showing that the abbreviation meant Sport Leicht.[2]

Mercedes-Benz used both forms until 2017. It was even called Super Super.[3] On the company website it was called Sport Leicht until 2017 and then changed to Super Leicht.[4]

For a long time it was unclear what intention the company had at the time when assigning the letter combination. It was not until the beginning of 2017 that a chance finding in the corporate archive clarified that the abbreviation SL stood for Super-Leicht.[5]

W198 and W121 (1954–1963)

First generation
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL (W198)
Overview
Production	1954–1963
Body and chassis
Platform	Mercedes-Benz W121 BII (190 SL) Mercedes-Benz W198 (300 SL)
Powertrain
Engine	1.9 L M121 I4 3.0 L M198 I6
Transmission	4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,400 mm (94.5 in)
Length	4,520 mm (178.0 in)
Width	1,790 mm (70.5 in)
Height	1,300 mm (51.2 in)

The 300 SL was introduced in 1954 in coupé form, featuring gullwing doors. The 300 SL roadster succeeded the coupé in 1957. The four-cylinder 190 SL was more widely produced with 25,881 units, starting in 1955. Cars of the open SL-Class were available as a coupe with a removable hardtop or as a roadster with convertible soft top or with both tops. Production for the 190 SL and 300 SL ended in 1963.

• 300 SL ("Gullwing"): 1954–1957, 3.0 L I6, 215 PS (158 kW)
• 300 SL (Roadster): 1957–1963 3.0 L I6, 225 PS (165 kW)
• 190 SL: 1955–1963, 1.9 L I4, 105 PS (77 kW)

• 
  Mercedes Benz 300 SL (W198)
• 
  Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster (W198)
• 
  Mercedes Benz 190 SL (W121)

W113 (1963–1971)

Second generation
Overview
Production	1963–1971
Designer	Paul Bracq Béla Barényi Friedrich Geiger
Body and chassis
Platform	Mercedes-Benz W113
Powertrain
Engine	2.3 L M127.II I6 2.5 L M129.II I6 2.8 L M130 I6
Transmission	4-speed automatic 4-speed manual 5-speed manual (ZF)
Dimensions
Length	4,285 mm (168.7 in)
Width	1,760 mm (69.3 in)
Height	1,305 mm (51.4 in)

1969 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL roadster (Australia)

Next came the SL-Class 230 SL, a new design with a 2.3-litre mechanically fuel injected six cylinder engine. It featured a low waistline and big curved greenhouse windows, and a Coupe Roadster with detachable hardtop, whose distinctive concave roofline earned the nickname "pagoda top." The design was by Paul Bracq. Around 1967, the engine received a displacement increase and the model became known as the 250 SL. Within a year the engine displacement was increased for the final time and the model designation became 280 SL. Beginning with later versions of the 250 SL changes were made to dashboard padding, switches and knobs, door pockets (US models only) and steering wheel. In addition, on the 230 SL formerly separate centre hubcaps and wheel trim rings became full wheel covers.

• 230 SL: 1963–1967, 2.3 L I6, 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp)
• 250 SL: 1966–1968, 2.5 L I6, 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp)
• 280 SL: 1967–1971, 2.8 L I6, 170 PS (125 kW)

R107 (1971–1989)

Third generation
Overview
Production	1971–1989
Body and chassis
Platform	Mercedes-Benz R107 and C107
Powertrain
Engine	2.8 L I6 3.0 L I6 3.5 L V8 3.8 L V8 4.2 L V8 4.5 L V8 5.0 L V8 5.6 L V8
Transmission	3-speed automatic 4-speed automatic 4-speed manual 5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	96.7 in (2,456 mm)
Length	180.3 in (4,580 mm)
Width	70.5 in (1,791 mm)
Height	51.1 in (1,298 mm)

Mercedes-Benz 560 SL roadster (Japan)

• 350 SL: 1971–1972, 3.5 L V8
• 450 SL: 1973–1980, 4.5 L V8
• 280 SL: 1974–1985, 2.8 L I6
• 380 SL: 1980–1986, 3.8 L V8
• 500 SL: 1980–1986, 5.0 L V8

All updated 86–89 models have the advantages of the more modern 4 pot brakes, larger discs, and suspension derived from the W124 sedan. The body's rust-proof paint is ineffective, as most models are susceptible to rust around the wheel arches, sills, jacking points, floor and front wings; especially the drill holes on which the mudflaps are mounted and the sides facing the engine bay.

• 300 SL: 1986–1989

The 300 SL base model was available as standard in a 5-speed manual although very few were sold. The SOHC 6 cylinder M103 is typically considered to have handling advantages with its lighter weight engine.

• 420 SL: 1986–1989, 4.2 L V8
• 500 SL: 1986–1989, 5.0 L V8
• 560 SL: 1986–1989, 5.5 L V8

The 560 SL was only sold in the United States, Canada, Japan, and Australia to compensate the reduced output of the 5.0-litres due to the stricter emission laws in these markets.

R129 (1989–2001)

Fourth generation
Overview
Production	1989–2001
Body and chassis
Platform	Mercedes-Benz R129
Powertrain
Engine	2.8 L 193 hp (144 kW) I6 2.8 L 204 hp (152 kW) V6 3.0 L 190 hp (142 kW) I6 3.0 L 231 hp (172 kW) I6 3.2 L 231 hp (172 kW) I6 3.2 L 224 hp (167 kW) V6 5.0 L 326 hp (243 kW) V8 5.0 L 306 hp (228 kW) V8 5.5 L 354 hp (264 kW) AMG V8 6.0 L 381 hp (284 kW) AMG V8 6.0 L 394 hp (294 kW) V12 7.0 L 496 hp (370 kW) AMG V12 7.3 L 518 hp (386 kW) AMG V12
Transmission	5-speed automatic 4-speed automatic 5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	99.0 in (2,515 mm)
Length	1997–2002: 177.1 in (4,498 mm) 1989–1996: 176.0 in (4,470 mm) 1992–96 V12: 178.0 in (4,521 mm)
Width	71.3 in (1,811 mm)
Height	1992–2002: 51.3 in (1,303 mm) 1989–1991: 50.7 in (1,288 mm)

Mercedes-Benz SL 320 (France)

The 1989 Mercedes SL base model was the 228 hp (170 kW) 3.0-litre inline 6 300 SL version in the US. In Europe the base model was the 190 hp (140 kW) 3.0-litre inline 6 300 SL with 12 valves, and the 228 hp (170 kW) 3.0-litre inline 6 with 24 valves is known as the 300 SL 24 . But it was the 326 hp (240 kW) 500 SL (with a 5.0 L V8 engine) which made the most headlines. The specification was high, with electric windows, mirrors, seats and roof.

The R129 model was the first convertible/roadster to offer the automatic rollbar deployment in event of rollover. The driver can also manually raise and lower the rollbar. This facilitates the clean look of the R129 without compromising the occupant's safety.

1994 saw a minor facelift for the SL with changes to the taillamps and white turn signal indicators in the front, and the 300 SL was replaced in Europe by the SL 280 and SL 320 (with 2.8- and 3.2-litre I6 engines). The SL 500 continued with the same powerful engine. A 389 hp (290 kW) 6.0-litre V12 SL 600 topped the range. Introduced in 1993 as the 600 SL, it was re-badged the SL 600 in 1994. It had the same engine as the original Pagani Zonda.

The SL 320 replaced the 300 SL in the United States in 1995, but the SL 280 was not offered. The six-cylinder SLs were dropped from the US line-up in 1998, leaving just the V8 and V12. The SL 500 got a new 302 hp (225 kW) 5.0-litre V8 for 1999.

AMG

1999 Mercedes-Benz SL 73 AMG

The extremely rare SL 73 AMG was sold through AMG in 1995, and at 386 kW (525 PS; 518 bhp) at 5,500 rpm and 750 N⋅m (553 lb⋅ft) of torque at 4,000 rpm[6] it offered the most powerful V12 engine ever put into a Mercedes-Benz vehicle up to that time. After a brief gap, the SL 73 was offered again from 1998 to 2001, although the engine was slightly updated to be more reliable. The same 7.3 L (7,291 cc) V12 was later used by Pagani in the Zonda S 7.3. A total of 85 SL 73 AMG roadsters were built. The SL 73 was briefly reintroduced in September 1999 following the SL's end-of-life facelift and a limited number were produced up until December 2001. The facelifted SL 73 is the car that appears in the picture (left).

Even rarer is the SL 70 AMG which was powered by a 7.0-litre V12 engine.

The SL 60 AMG was also extremely rare. Sold through MB from 1996 to 1998, it used a 6.0 litre V8 engine producing between 381 bhp (284 kW) and 384 bhp (286 kW). AMG claimed a 0–100 km/h (62 mph) time of 5.6 seconds. Its top speed was limited to 250 km/h (155 mph), but with the limiter removed, it was capable of approximately 295 km/h (183 mph). AMG later unofficially admitted that 0–100 km/h was very close to 5.0 seconds and the engine produced between 405–410 bhp.

The SL 55 AMG was sold through AMG in the R129 body style from 1998 to 2002 in limited quantity. It was the predecessor of the production R230 SL 55 AMG sold from 2001 to 2008.

Only about 300 cars in the SL-class were customised by AMG prior to 2002.

R230 (2001–2011)

Fifth generation
Overview
Production	2001–2011
Body and chassis
Platform	Mercedes-Benz R230
Powertrain
Engine	3.7 L 245 hp (183 kW) V6 5.0 L 302 hp (225 kW) V8 5.4 L 493 hp (368 kW) V8 6.0 L 604 hp (450 kW) V12
Transmission	5-speed automatic 7-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	100.8 in (2,560 mm)
Length	178.5 in (4,534 mm)
Width	2005–07: 71.5 in (1,816 mm) 2002–04: 72.0 in (1,829 mm)
Height	51.0 in (1,295 mm)

Mercedes-Benz SL 500 roadster (Europe)

The fifth generation SL was in production between 2001 and 2008, initially as just a 5.0-litre SL 500 version. It featured a retractable hardtop (marketed as the Vario Roof) available on the SLK since 1997. This featured a 5.0-litre 302 hp (225 kW) V8, with a 5.4-litre AMG Supercharged V8 appearing in 2002's SL 55 AMG. An improved 5.5-litre V8 was introduced in 2007 with 382 hp.[7] V12 engines were available in the SL 600 and the limited-production SL 65 AMG. The SL 350 3.7-litre (3724 cc) 18-valve V6 245 hp was only available in some markets. The R230 also features the ABC (active body control) which offers the balance of comfort and handling; this complex system uses accumulators and hydraulic fluids to regulate the firmness and heights of the suspension. Newer model years (2004+) feature the 7 speed transmission, which is superior to the previous 5 speed transmission.

Facelift (2008–2011)

Fifth Generation Facelift
Overview
Production	2008–2011
Body and chassis
Platform	Mercedes-Benz R230
Powertrain
Engine	5.0 L 308 hp (230 kW) V8 5.4 L 493 hp (368 kW) V8 5.5 L 382 hp (285 kW) V8 6.0 L 604 hp (450 kW) V12 6.2 L 518 hp (386 kW) V8
Transmission	5-speed automatic 7-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	100.8 in (2,560 mm)
Length	178.5 in (4,534 mm)
Width	2005–08: 71.5 in (1,816 mm) 2002–04: 72.0 in (1,829 mm)
Height	51.0 in (1,295 mm)

Facelift Mercedes-Benz SL 350 convertible (UK)

The R230 SL underwent a significant facelift in 2008 featuring new and revised engines and a new front end that evokes the classic 300 SL with a large grille featuring a prominent 3-pointed star and twin "power domes" on the bonnet, the car also features new headlights with an optional "Intelligent Light System" and a new speed sensitive steering system. The SL 63 AMG replaced the SL 55 AMG.

R231 (2011–2020)

Sixth generation
Overview
Production	2011–2020
Body and chassis
Platform	Mercedes-Benz R231
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol: 3.0 L 333 PS (245 kW) - 367 PS (270 kW) V6 Biturbo 3.5 L 306 PS (225 kW) V6 4.7 L 435 PS (320 kW) - 455 PS (335 kW)V8 Biturbo 5.5 L 537 PS (395 kW) - 585 PS (430 kW)V8 Biturbo (2012-2019) 6.0 L 630 PS (460 kW) V12 Biturbo (2012-2018)
Transmission	7-speed automatic (9-speed from MY2017)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,585 mm (101.8 in)
Length	4,612 mm (181.6 in)
Width	1,877 mm (73.9 in)
Height	1,315 mm (51.8 in)

Mercedes-Benz SL 350 AMG Line (Germany)

In December 2011, Mercedes-Benz announced the all new SL-Class and was formally launched at the North American International Auto Show in January 2012. The new SL (R231) has been produced for the first time almost entirely from aluminium. The new aluminium body shell weighs around 110 kilograms less than it would using the steel technology from the predecessor. Although the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class has more assistance systems on-board than its predecessor and therefore does actually sacrifice some of the weight saved through the aluminium body shell, the scales show some better figures: the SL 500 (1,785 kg) weighs around 125 kg (276 lb) less and the SL 350 (1,685 kg) is 140 kg (309 lb) lighter than its predecessor.

New features include the unique FrontBass system (it uses the free spaces in the aluminium structures in front of the footwell as resonance spaces for the bass loudspeakers) and adaptive windscreen wipe/wash system MAGIC VISION CONTROL, which supplies water from the wiper blade as required and depending on the direction of wipe. The R231 is also available with two different suspension systems: semi-active adjustable damping as standard. The optional active suspension system ABC (Active Body Control) is available as an alternative. Both suspension variants are combined with a new electromechanical Direct-Steer system featuring speed-sensitive power steering and a ratio that can be varied across the steering wheel angle and it also reduces the amount of steering required when parking and manoeuvring.

Contrasted with its predecessor, the new generation of the SL is longer and wider. Shoulder room is increased by 37 mm (1.5 in)) and elbow room 28 mm (1.1 in).

Facelift (2016–2020)

A mid-cycle facelift was introduced in 2016 for the 2017 model year. Launched early 2016 in California, the revised SL400 (renamed SL450 in the US) featured a 3-litre 362 hp (367 PS) biturbo V6 mated, for the first time in the SL, to Mercedes' own 9G-Tronic PLUS 9-speed automatic transmission.

An SL500 (US SL550), with a 4.7-litre biturbo V8 producing 449 hp (455 PS), was likewise paired with the 9G-tronic PLUS transmission. The Mercedes-AMG SL63 (577 hp/585PS) and SL65 (621 hp/630PS) variants continued with virtually unchanged powertrains, paired with AMG's SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission with claimed improved shift times.

Cosmetically, every SL received a revised front end, front grille treatment and larger non-functional side 'vents' behind the front wheels. All variants also received adaptive LED front headlights with integrated daytime running lights and turn signals, leaving the below-bumper intake area free from lighting. The LED tail lights received single-colour red or red-and-amber lenses instead of the red and white of the pre-facelift models.

Front and rear bumper assemblies were redesigned to align more closely with recent models introduced by Mercedes, while selected convenience and driver assistance technologies, introduced earlier on various other Mercedes models, were made optionally available, including revised Active Body Control (ABC), now with the "Curve Tilting" function from the S-Class Coupe. Externally, the SL63 and SL65 were distinguishable from the non-AMG variants by embellishments to their bumper assemblies and side sills in gloss black or polished aluminium, respectively. The SL63 and SL65 also featured trademark AMG 'twin lamella' front grilles and dual twin tailpipe exhaust trims as well as a carbon fibre composite trunk lid.

A slight revision to the folding 'Vario-roof' hardtop operation meant it would continue to deploy at speeds up to 25 mph (40 km/h) once initiated and the luggage compartment partition, required to prevent the hardtop components, when folded, and any luggage compartment contents coming into contact with each other, no longer had to be deployed in a separate manual operation.

Interiors continued virtually unchanged for MY2017 with the exception of slightly revised minor switchgear and a redesigned steering wheel.

Engines

Petrol engines

Model	Years	Type	Power, torque at rpm
SL 350 BlueEFFICIENCY	2012–2020	3,498 cc (213 cu in) 24V V6 (M 276 DE 35)	306 PS (225 kW; 302 hp) at 6,500, 370 N⋅m (273 lb⋅ft) at 3,500–5250
SL 500/550 BlueEFFICIENCY	2012–2020	4,663 cc (285 cu in) 32V V8 biturbo (M 278 DE 46 AL)	435 PS (320 kW; 429 hp) at 5,250, 700 N⋅m (516 lb⋅ft) at 1,800–3,500
SL 63 AMG	2012–2017	5,461 cc (333 cu in) 32V V8 biturbo (M 157 DE 55 AL)	537 PS (395 kW; 530 hp) at 5,500, 800 N⋅m (590 lb⋅ft) at 2,000–4,500 Performance Package: 564 PS (415 kW; 556 hp) at 5,500, 900 N⋅m (664 lb⋅ft) at 2,250–3,750 0–100 km/h 4.0sec : 402m 198.6 km/h(124.12 mph) 11.8sec : 1000m (1 km) - 255.6 km/h(159.75 mph) (performance pack) at 21.3sec
SL 63 AMG	2015–2019	5,461 cc (333 cu in) 32V V8 biturbo (M 157 DE 55 AL)	585 PS (430 kW; 577 hp) at 5,500, 900 N⋅m (664 lb⋅ft) at 2,000–4,500 Performance Package: 585 PS (430 kW; 577 hp) at 5500, 900 N⋅m (664 lb⋅ft) at 2,250–3,750 0–100 km/h 3.7sec : 402m 202.4 km/h(126.5 mph) 11.6sec : 1000m (1 km) - 264.4 km/h(165.25 mph) at 20.8sec
SL 65 AMG	2012–2018	5,980 cc (365 cu in) 36V V12 biturbo (M 279 E 60 AL)	630 PS (463 kW; 621 hp) at 4,800–5,400, 1,000 N⋅m (738 lb⋅ft) at 2,300–4,300 0–100 km/h 3.9sec : 402m 203.1 km/h(126.5 mph) 11.8sec : 1000m (1 km) - 267.8 km/h(167.38 mph) at 20.6sec
SL 400	2015–2020	3,000 cc (183 cu in) 24V V6 biturbo (M276 DELA30)	329 hp (245 kW; 334 PS) at 5,250–6,000, 354 lb⋅ft (480 N⋅m) at 1,600–4,000 0–100 km/h 5.1sec
SL 450/400	2017–2020	3,000 cc (183 cu in) 24V V6 biturbo (M276 DE30AL)	362 hp (270 kW; 367 PS) at 5,500-6,000, 369 lb⋅ft (500 N⋅m) at 2,000–4,200 0–100 km/h 4.9sec

Sales

Calendar year	US sales
2001	4,217[8]
2002	13,717
2003	13,318[9]
2004	12,885
2005	10,080[10]
2006	8,462
2007	6,126[11]
2008	5,464
2009	4,025[12]
2010	1,449
2011	4,899[13]
2012	5,233
2013	7,007[14]
2014	5,030
2015	4,060
2016	3,722
2017	2,940
2018	2,126

See also

Lexus LC
BMW 8 Series

References

Notes

1. Jochen Übler (19 April 2012), "Trimm's Leicht", Auto, Motor und Sport, Mercedes SL-Spezial 2012 (in German) (10), pp. 14–17, ISSN 0005-0806
2. Günter Engelen, Mike Riedner, Hans-Dieter Seufert (1999), Mercedes-Benz 300 SL (in German) (2 ed.), p. 31, ISBN 3-613-01268-5CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
3. Gerold Lingnau (2002), "300SL – Die Ikone wird fünfzig", Mercedes-Benz Classic (in German) (1), pp. 10–22, ISSN 1610-8043
4. Motorsport als Zündfunke: Der Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Rennsportwagen der Baureihe W 194 (1952–1953). In: media.daimler.com, aufgerufen am 25. Juli 2017.
5. Foto: Dokument des Namenvorschlags in: Die Zeit, 14. April 2017.
6. "1999 Mercedes-Benz SL 73 AMG R 129 R 129 E 73". carfolio.com. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
7. "Mercedes SL550". www.kenrockwell.com. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
8. "Mercedes-Benz USA Records Highest Sales in Its History. – Free Online Library". Thefreelibrary.com. 3 January 2003. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
9. "2004 Highest Year on Record for Mercedes-Benz USA". Theautochannel.com. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
10. "Mercedes-Benz Rings in the New Year with Record 2006 Sales". Theautochannel.com. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
11. "Mercedes-Benz USA's Sales Drop 32.1 Percent In December 2008 | eMercedesBenz – The Unofficial Mercedes-Benz Weblog". eMercedesBenz. 5 January 2009. Archived from the original on 29 July 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
12. "Highest Sales Month for the Year at 21,469 Brings Mercedes-Benz to an 18 Percent Increase for 2010". New Jersey: PR Newswire. 4 January 2011. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
13. "Mercedes Sales 2011 Best on Record! Strong December Sales Report Caps off 2011 with 264,460 Vehicles Sold". daveknowscars.com. 9 January 2012. Archived from the original on 13 January 2012.
14. "MERCEDES-BENZ ACHIEVES ITS HIGHEST YEAR EVER WITH 312,534 UNITS SOLD IN 2013". Mercedes-Benz. 3 January 2014. Archived from the original on 21 September 2017. Retrieved 21 September 2017.

General

• Barrett, Frank (1998). Illustrated Buyer's Guide Mercedes-Benz. Motorbooks International Illustrated Buyer's Guide series (2nd ed.). Osceola, WI, USA: MBI Publishing. ISBN 0760304513.
• Bass, Chris (2007). Mercedes-Benz 'Pagoda' 230, 250 & 280 SL: W113 series Roadsters & Coupés, 1963-1971. Essential Buyer's Guide series. Dorchester, Dorset, UK: Veloce Publishing. ISBN 9781845841133.
• Bass, Chris (2017). Mercedes-Benz 280-560SL & SLC: W107 series Roadsters & Coupés, 1971 to 1989. Essential Buyer's Guide Veloce series. Dorchester, Dorset, UK: Veloce Publishing. ISBN 9781787111820.
• Clarke, R.M., ed. (1987). Road & Track On Mercedes 1952-1962. Road & Track Series. Cobham, Surrey, UK: Brooklands Books. ISBN 186982640X.
• Clarke, R.M., ed. (1990). Mercedes SLs & SLCs Gold Portfolio 1971-1989. Road Test Portfolio Series. Cobham, Surrey, UK: Brooklands Books. ISBN 1855200104.
• Clarke, R.M., ed. (1996). Mercedes SLs Performance Portfolio 1989-1994. Road Test Portfolio Series. Cobham, Surrey, UK: Brooklands Books. ISBN 1855202689.
• Clarke, R.M., ed. (2004). Mercedes-Benz SLs & SLCs Ultimate Portfolio 1971-1989. Road Test Portfolio Series. Cobham, Surrey, UK: Brooklands Books. ISBN 1855206773.
• Clarke, R.M., ed. (2004). Road & Track Mercedes-Benz SL SLK CLK Portfolio 1990-2003. Road & Track Series. Cobham, Surrey, UK: Brooklands Books. ISBN 1855206536.
• Clarke, R.M., ed. (2007). Mercedes AMG Gold Portfolio 1983-1999. Road Test Portfolio Series. Cobham, Surrey, UK: Brooklands Books. ISBN 9781855207455.
• Clarke, R.M., ed. (2007). Mercedes AMG Ultimate Portfolio 2000-2006. Road Test Portfolio Series. Cobham, Surrey, UK: Brooklands Books. ISBN 9781855207486.
• Clarke, R.M., ed. (2010). Mercedes 230SL - 250SL - 280SL Ultimate Portfolio 1963-1971. Road Test Portfolio Series. Cobham, Surrey, UK: Brooklands Books. ISBN 9781855208865.
• Clarke, R.M., ed. (2011). Mercedes-Benz 190SL 300SL 300SLR A Brooklands Portfolio. Road Test Portfolio Series. Cobham, Surrey, UK: Brooklands Books. ISBN 9781855209329.
• Engelen, Günter (2002). Mercedes-Benz Personenwagen Band 3 Seit 1986 [Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars Volume 3 Since 1986]. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3613021692. (in German)
• Hofner, Heribert; Schrader, Halwart (2005). Mercedes-Benz Automobile Band 2: von 1964 bis heute [Mercedes-Benz Automobiles Volume 2: from 1964 to today]. Königswinter, Germany: Heel. ISBN 3898804194. (in German)
• Holmes, Mark (2007). Ultimate Convertibles: Roofless Beauty. London: Kandour. pp. 96–99. ISBN 978-1-905741-62-5.
• Howard, Colin (2014). Mercedes Benz SL: 1971–2001. Hockley, Essex, UK: CP Press. ISBN 9780957194045.
• Howard, Colin (2014). Mercedes Benz SL: 2002–2014. Hockley, Essex, UK: CP Press. ISBN 9780957666443.
• Kittler, Eberhard (2000). Typenkompass Mercedes-Benz Band 1. Personenwagen 1945 - 1975 [Typenkompass Mercedes-Benz Volume 1. Passenger Cars 1945 - 1975]. Typenkompass series. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 361302019X. (in German)
• Kittler, Eberhard (2002). Typenkompass Mercedes-Benz Band 2. Personenwagen seit 1976 [Typenkompass Mercedes-Benz Volume 2. Passenger Cars since 1976]. Typenkompass series (in German). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3613022095.
• Koehling, Bernd S. (2013). Mercedes-Benz, The modern SL cars: From the R107 to the R231. CreateSpace. ISBN 9781484108246.
• Koehling, Bernd S. (2014). Mercedes-Benz, The early SL cars: From the 300SL and 190SL to the 230SL-280SL (2nd ed.). CreateSpace. ISBN 9781484180563.
• Kornblatt, Myles (2014). Mercedes W113: The Complete Story. Crowood AutoClassic Series. Ramsbury, Marlborough, UK: The Crowood Press. ISBN 9781847976956.
• Larimer, Fred (2004). Mercedes-Benz Buyer's Guide: Roadsters, Coupes, and Convertibles. St. Paul, MN, USA: MBI Publishing. ISBN 0760318115.
• Long, Brian (2010). Mercedes-Benz SL & SLC 107 Series 1971 to 1989. Dorchester, Dorset, UK: Veloce Publishing. ISBN 9781845842994.
• Long, Brian (2011). Mercedes-Benz SL W113 Series 1963 to 1971. Dorchester, Dorset, UK: Veloce Publishing. ISBN 9781845843045.
• Long, Brian (2013). Mercedes-Benz SL R129 Series 1989 to 2001. Dorchester, Dorset, UK: Veloce Publishing. ISBN 9781845844486.
• Long, Brian (2015). Mercedes-Benz SL R230 Series 2001 to 2011. Dorchester, Dorset, UK: Veloce Publishing. ISBN 9781845847470.
• Niemann, Harry (2006). Personenwagen von Mercedes-Benz: Automobillegenden und Geschichten seit 1886 [Passenger Cars from Mercedes-Benz: Automobile Legends and Stories since 1886]. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3613025965. (in German)
• Noakes, Andrew (2004). Mercedes SL Series: The Complete Story. Crowood AutoClassic Series. Ramsbury, Marlborough, UK: The Crowood Press. ISBN 9781861266736.
• Oswald, Werner (2001). Mercedes-Benz Personenwagen Band 2 1945–1985 [Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars Volume 2 1945–1985]. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3613021684. (in German)
• Parish, Julian (2016). Mercedes-Benz SL: R129-series 1989 to 2001. Essential Buyer's Guide Veloce series. Dorchester, Dorset, UK: Veloce Publishing. ISBN 9781845848989.
• Schlegelmilch, Rainer W.; Lehbrink, Hartmut; von Osterroth, Jochen (2013). Mercedes (revised ed.). Königswinter, Germany: Ullmann Publishing. ISBN 9783848002672.
• Taylor, James (1985). Mercedes-Benz since 1945: A Collector's Guide. Volume 1: The 1940s and 1950s. Croydon, UK: Motor Racing Publications. pp. 8–24, 63–76, 103–136, 139–144. ISBN 0900549955.
• Taylor, James (1985). Mercedes-Benz since 1945: A Collector's Guide. Volume 2: The 1960s. Croydon, UK: Motor Racing Publications. pp. 9–26, 73–84, 126–132, 135, 140–141, 143. ISBN 0900549963.
• Taylor, James (1986). Mercedes-Benz since 1945: A Collector's Guide. Volume 3: The 1970s. Croydon, UK: Motor Racing Publications. pp. 9–60, 61–88, 127–129, 132–134, 139–140, 142. ISBN 0900549971.
• Taylor, James (1994). Mercedes-Benz since 1945: A Collector's Guide. Volume 4: The 1980s. Croydon, UK: Motor Racing Publications. pp. 8–16. ISBN 0947981772.
• Taylor, James (2009). Mercedes-Benz: Cars of the 1990s. Crowood AutoClassic Series. Ramsbury, Marlborough, UK: The Crowood Press. pp. 8–20, 36–51. ISBN 9781847970961.
• Taylor, James (2013). Factory-Original Mercedes SL: The originality guide to Mercedes-Benz SL models, 1963-2003. Beaworthy, Devon, UK: Herridge & Sons. ISBN 9781906133436.

Workshop manuals

• Mellon, Thomas A, ed. (2001). Chilton Mercedes: Coupes/Sedans/Wagons, 1974-84 Repair Manual. Chilton Total Car Care Series. Radnor, PA, USA: Chilton; Sparkford, UK: Haynes. ISBN 0801990769.
• Schauwecker, Steve; Haynes, John H. (1987). Mercedes-Benz 350 and 450: 1971 through 1980 3.5 and 4.5 liter V8: 350 SL, 450 SE, 450 SEL, 450 SL, 450 SLC: series 107 and 116 models with fuel-injected V8 engines and automatic transmissions. Haynes Service and Repair Manual Series. Sparkford, UK: Haynes. ISBN 0856966983.
• Mercedes-Benz Technical Companion. Cambridge, MA, USA: Bentley Publishers. 2005. ISBN 9780837610337.

External links

• Official website
• Mercedes-AMG SL 63