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.
Call Monica 863-899-1565 or Email her at
[email protected]