Mercedes-Benz SL -- the enduring classic
By Colin Ryan, Special to the Los Angeles Times
Of the hundreds of cars out there, several are more than mere transportation, but not many transcend that level to become a dream car, a classic, a standout motor on the automotive landscape. The Mercedes-Benz SL has. SL stands for sport leicht (German for light), which makes sense, given that the SL started life as a race car. From the early ’50s to the present day, there have only been five generations, but then the SL has always stood somewhat apart from the march of time.
1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
Imagine a car developed in competition, shaped in a wind tunnel, made with exotic materials (in this case magnesium, lighter than aluminum) and deploying direct gasoline injection in its 3.0-liter engine. Sounds pretty state of the art, doesn’t it? This was going on in 1954, when the famed 300 SL Gullwing came into the world. An exclusive, expensive machine then -- costing $6,820 -- it has become one of the most desired models for collectors. The SL phenomenon started here.
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