Vehicle Description
As a Mercedes Benz badge is one of the most coveted in motoring, it
seems appropriate that the same company should also offer the most
envied suffix in premium price sports motoring: SL. The initials
were first seen in 1952 and factory literature translated the
appellation into English as "Sport Light", a cross-reference to the
"L" for lightweight tubular chassis and an inline six cylinder
engine developed from that of the 300S.That gullwing competitor and
its 1954 production descendant eventually led to an appraisal of
the commercial worth of selling a luxury sports car under the SL
badge, a process which has been incredibly profitable even by Benz
standards. The original gullwing series were far from rare beasts
(the factory reports that "a total of 1400 gullwings were built")
and the commercialization of that emotive SL badge has seen
production by the thousands as routine: some 25,881 of the 190 SL
were made from 1955-63 and 49,912 of its "pagoda" top 230/250/280
SL successor.The car to bear the 300 SL badge today is a very
different animal to the competitor of 1952, and is anything but
lightweight at a curbside 33.2 cwt, over 1.6 tons. There is a six
cylinder, 3-litre, engine in the variant we tested. It has all the
right power-producing credentials; fuel injection, DOHC, four
valves per cylinder. However, it is hitched up to a 5-speed
automatic with a curb weight which means a power to weight ratio
inferior to any mundane "hot hatchbacks." The result is the finest
of touring 2 + 2s, one that pampers its owner beyond belief (but
not to the peaceful travel standards of Jaguar) and yet remains fun
to hustle in ungentlemanly manner. Truly the 1991 debutante 300 SL
should be renamed 300 TLS, or "Touring Luxury Sport," as
comfortable speed is its apparent priority. This particular
Mercedes is an exceptional car with low miles. She has a clean
history and maintenance records. There is also a matching hard top
for the car. For more information on this vehicle or any of our
luxury cars, give us a call at 863-899-1565
