Les Mercedes-Benz SL Pagode, présentées dans les années 60 et dessinées avec brio par Paul Bracq, alors à l'œuvre dans les bureaux de design de Stuttgart, possédaient encore un zest de sportivité. Avec son six en ligne de 2,8 litres, le 280 SL affichait des performances et comportement presque sportif et affichait surtout un remarquable compromis entre le confort et le sport. Du vrai Grand Tourisme, qui faisait encore plus regretter pour nous Français la disparition de Facel-Vega. En 1971, Mercedes-Benz dévoile la remplaçante de sa bête d'image : le SL type R107. Fini le toit Pagode, mais le SL possède toujours son hard-top, véritable marque de fabrique des SL. Mais plus encore que la voiture en elle-même, le SL type R107 symbolise pour toute une génération une image de la réussite à l'américaine.
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   The Mercedes-Benz R107 automobiles were produced from 1971 through 1989, being the longest single series ever produced by the firm, besides the G-class/wagon. They were sold under the SL-Class and SLC-Class model names, respectively. The R107 replaced the W113 SL-Class in 1972 and was replaced by the R129 SL-Class in 1989.
   The R107 took the chassis components of the mid size Mercedes-Benz W114 model and mated them to the larger engines from the S-Class. The W 107 chassis is sometimes referred to as "R 107" for "Reihe" (series).
   The SL variant was a 2-seat convertible. It proved popular, especially in the United States where they were sold at a very high price.
   The SLC (technically C107) derivative was an SL stretched 10 inches, a 2 door hardtop coupe, with usable rear seats.
   The 107 chassis had the longest run of any Mercedes chassis, 18 years from 1971 to 1989. Some 237,000 107 chassis SL's were built. About two thirds were sold in the US. These 107 cars are larger, heavier and more costly than the previous generation W113 cars.
   Production of the first R107 car, the 350 SL, started in November 1970 alongside the last of the W 113 cars. When the first 350's were exported to the US, because of the strict horsepower robbing emission requirements, the US 350's were shipped with low compression 4.5 liter engines.
   From 1974 until the end of production, the front and rear bumpers of the U.S. model R107 grew out 8 inches on each end to comply with U.S. regulations.
   The 450 SL was produced until 1980. Some 450 SLs suffered from vapor lock and hard re-start because of the position of the catalytic converter.
   Next was the 380 SL built from 1981 to 1985. The 380 SL was the least powerful of the US imported R107 roadsters. This engine came with a single row timing chain. These models were plagued with chain failure problems and the problem was corrected by Mercedes-Benz, free of charge. Some models, however, escaped retrofit and may at some point fail as a result.
   The more powerful 500SL with 5.0 liter engine, produced from 1980-1989, was not available in the U.S. through Mercedes-Benz and was popular in "gray market" import before the arrival of the 560SL (only made for the USA and Australian market) in 1986-1989.
   Despite the larger 5.6 liter engine of the 560SL, the 500SL is recorded as being the fastest production 107 produced.
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