The winning SLS AMG GT3 of Team Abu Dhabi Black Falcon circulates the featureless Yas Marina circuit with the spectacularly overbuilt Dubai cityscape in the hazy background. SLS GT3s swept the top three spots in the 24-hour endurance test.

Dubai 24-hours
GT3 Gullwings dominate

Dubai (UAE) – The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 scored a commanding 1-2-3 in the Dubai 24-hour race (January 12th till 14th, 2012). The Abu Dhabi Black Falcon team claimed victory with Thomas Jäger (GER), Sean Edwards (ENG), Jeroen Bleekemolen (NED) and Khaled Al Qubaisi (UAE). After setting a new distance record of 628 race laps, final driver Al Qubaisi drove the Gullwing with starting number 3 across the finish line. This first place was also the maiden victory for the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 in a 24-hour race.

All four Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3s put their mark on the Dubai 24-hour race by showing a commanding performance from the very beginning. In the field of the 72 cars, the Gullwings were among the fastest entries right away. Having started from 15th place on the grid, the Abu Dhabi Black Falcon SLS AMG GT3 moved up into the lead for the first time after two hours. Consistently fast lap times also allowed the other Gullwings to move up quickly into the ranks of the front-runners as well.

Most successful newcomer in the 2011 motor sport season

This year’s Dubai 24-hour race marks the beginning of the second racing season for the SLS AMG GT3. In its debut year of 2011, the Gullwing became probably the most successful newcomer in the 2011 motorsport season: from March 2011 on 40 race cars were delivered to international customer teams that took part in races on four continents and won a total of 25 races. The success story was crowned by the team title of the FIA GT3 European Championship for HEICO Motorsport and its two Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 – the first title for the Gullwing in its first full racing season.

The 3rd place SLS AMG GT3 shared by Bernd Schneider (GER), Kenneth Heyer (GER), Andreas Simonsen (SWE) und Rodolfo Gonzalez (VEN) leans into one of Circuit Yas Marina's bends. Note expansive paved run-off area. Purists decry the circuit's sterile layout.

Text and photography from Daimler Media.

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Throughout Mercedes' history, their coachbuilt coupes have all eventually achieved some level of collectible status. Have the 126 series coupes aged well enough to be collected today? We think their time has come.

Young Classics
Enter the SEC

When Mercedes Classic Germany announced their Young Classics program in early 2011,  it seemed there was more momentum in Germany for these newly crowned ‘Young Classics’ than in the states. 123 series diesel prices, particularly for wagons, were on the upswing in the states but 107 series SL prices had been stagnant for a few years and 114/115 sedans/coupes were failing to arouse much interest.

Also mentioned in last year’s Young Classic proclamation were the 126 coupes. In fact, Mercedes touted the entire 126 coupe production run from 1981 through 1991 as emerging collectibles. Understandably, any original manufacturer is generally out ahead of the masses when touting one of its earlier products as newly collectible. However, we’re on board with Mercedes-Benz not only regarding the SEC but any 126 series car, coupe or sedan.

126 Overview

Let’s have a quick look at this series of Mercedes. It’s safe to say that Mercedes longs for the period from 1986-1991 when all other manufacturers were chasing the Silver Star’s well established overall build quality, used market resale values and stellar JD Power survey ratings. I wouldn’t hesitate to call this era a post-war Golden Age for Mercedes production cars and the 126 series models led the way.

I’ll parse the 126 production run slightly and ignore any 1981-1983 380 variant as unacceptable due to the many shortcomings of the M116 engine. North America received the 300SE/SEL, 300SD/SDL, 420SEL, 500SEL/SEC, 560SEL/SEC during the 1984-1991 period we suggest focusing on.  Excellent, low mileage examples of any variant would be interesting. We’ll cover the diesels and sedans another time.

US model 500SEC reveals handsome if sober profile with crisp sheetmetal details, 14" wheels and grey fluted side cladding. The SEC became the gentleman's express and was the most expensive model available. Fumbling for the seatbelt was eliminated by electric belt extenders. With all windows down, the elegant pillarless shape shows to its fullest. Standard ride height should be dropped an inch or two for a more harmonious side profile.

Elite Young Classic
The SEC at a glance

The SEC in 5.0 liter and 5.6 liter variants were the most stylish and most expensive 126 chassis with the end-of -series 1991 560SEC listing new for a whopping $82k. Lavishly equipped for the North American market, SECs historically offered few options. The early 5 liter cars (1984/1985 US) date themselves with 14″ wheels and less than harmonious fluted grey (regardless of body color) lower side cladding. Power for the 5.0 liter cars was 184hp which seems paltry compared to the later 5.6 liter car’s 238hp, and the extra muscle is immediately felt when hustling a 560 down the road.

“The car is incredibly quiet at maximum speed. It’s very comfortable and the steering is dead positive, only needing a bit of correction coming into the quartering wind along the straight.”

The 1984/85 cars are simpler technically as well, lacking the rear self-leveling hydropneumatic chambers found on all 560 variants. All US model SECs feature leather trim (velour was a rarely ordered no charge option), anti theft alarms, power seatbelt extenders, ABS brakes, burl walnut wood trim, power door/trunk/gas filler locks and power windows. 560s were fitted with limited slip differentials and ABS/SRS were standard as were heated front seats. A passenger airbag arrived in 1989 and late series cars had more attractive and comfortable seat pleating. SRS (driver’s airbag) arrived as an option in the 1985 SEC. The short list of 560SEC options included a power rear window shade, electro-pneumatically adjusted orthopedic seats and for those of more substantial stature, reinforced front seat frames…

This studio shot shows a Euro (small bumper) 560SEC and reveals the slight nose up attitude characteristic of all 560SECs but not the 5.0 liter earlier cars. My presumption is the self leveling rear suspension is responsible for this tail squat. This is one clean, enduring design. Finding good examples today is a puzzle.

Buying an SEC

Which is the rarest 126 coupe? Throughout Mercedes history ‘S’ class coupes were never built in significant numbers and the production figures of the 126 coupes reflect this. Production for 1984 and 1985 500SECs was 1,608 and 1,667 respectively. US production of 560 SECs never exceeded 2,200 annually and I believe 1991 was the lowest production year but could not find data beyond 1990′s production of 1,183.

Which SEC should you buy? I won’t discourage you against any particular variant (aside from the 380SECs) and will remind all of the ethos of Young Classic collecting – Buy the highest caliber, lowest mileage example available. A hobbling, 198k mile 560SEC with rigid rear suspension, collapsed front seats, cracked dash and perished burlwood will only cause you heartache. Substantial reconditioning is not an option due to the still comparatively low values – a serious impediment for most Young Classics. Buy a great one or one that has tolerable needs. My dream SEC? I suppose it would be a mint low mileage 1989 Euro 5.0 liter with US smog devices removed to free as many of the 252hp (DIN) as possible. This car likely does not exist in the States so an untouched, low mileage 1991 560SEC would be just fine.

The September 1985 Road & Track article on the 500SEC sums things up quiet nicely after a speed test with a new500 SEC; “You’ve got to be fairly strong to keep this throttle glued to the floor all the time; it’s pretty heavy. The car is incredibly quiet at maximum speed. It’s very comfortable and the steering is dead positive, only needing a bit of correction coming into the quartering wind along the straight. […] The seats are firm but comfortable in the Germanic fashion. It feels like a large car, which it is, but nevertheless goes fairly quickly, and, again, the lack of noise is remarkable.” Indeed.

Young Classics you can buy:

It's not an SEC but this 1988 300SE is hard to ignore. We're quite comfortable describing this 34k mile short wheelbase, six cylinder 126 sedan as a 'museum quality' Young Classic. Every square inch is mind boggling perfection including the undercarriage. Update: My newsletter editing was interrupted by our good friend F. Aram who demanded to buy the car. At $12k it was a quite a bargain. We're hunting for spectacular 126 coupes/sedans.

123 diesel sedans have been gaining status over the last year. Our 96k mile 1985 (49 state non-trap oxidizer car) 300D-T is a nice find. With gorgeous paint and coachwork, spotless original interior and good paperwork, it's an excellent value. Contact us for more details: 650-343-7980 or roy@mercedesheritage.com.

Roy Spencer, editor MercedesHeritage.com
Photography from Daimler Media, MercedesHeritage.com and Mercedes-Benz of Oklahoma.

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All eyes were on Scottsdale, AZ during the third week of January. Mercedes-Benz featured prominently during the frenetic proceedings with Gooding & Co's alloy Gullwing stunning the Gullwing crowd by finding a new owner at $4,620,000.

Scottsdale 2012
Gooding Alloy Gullwing Stuns

Last year it was the $1.375M sale of a reasonably but not extraordinarily restored Gullwing that shocked the global 300SL detectives. While presented gloriously in graphite grey with red leather and chrome rudge wheels, this Gullwing did not impress hard core observers/restorers with fit and finish and provenance to match the (then) astronomic price.

Gooding & Co has again turned the Gullwing market on its collective ear with the sale of sn 198.043.5500208, a Califronia delivered alloy coachwork example. With excellent provenance derived from passing through the capable restoration hands of Hill and Vaughn in southern California in the ’80s and most recently an extensive refurbishment at Rudi & Co, this 180 Silver Gullwing sold for over $4.6m, a record GW price. By a wide margin.

Barrett-Jackson inserted themselves firmly in the Gullwing pricing debate as well by selling an unremarkable steel GW with but 4,100 miles on the clock for a massive $2.2m. This figure has a very good client of mine weeping as he was offered this particular car for $1.2m sixty days ago. What’s going on here? Until January 20, 2012, $2m or so was the accepted price for one of the twenty nine alloy GWs, should one actually become available.

Lost Alloy Gullwing Surfaces

Moving off the auction action for a moment we should note the recent discovery of the ‘lost’ alloy Gullwing, the 21st example constructed.  Rumors indicating the car to be sitting somewhere in Southern California proved to be true when the owner since 1955 and Santa Monica resident, Tom Welmers, was finally ready to sell. We hear this 100% restoration project alloy Gullwing sold for slightly over $1m. This sale adds to the Gullwing price debate raging today.

Doing the math – restoring the car to an epic level might consume $500k – brings the overall cost to about $1.7m finished and ready for the most discriminating scrutiny. Either the new owner of the garage find has $2.9m equity or the new buyer of the restored car is seriously under water.

The missing Alloy Gullwing was unearthed and sold last year. Buried under ancient computer hardware for decades, the car fetched over $1m and will undergo a complete restoration. Will it be worth $4.6m when completed?

Arizona Auction Results 2012

To properly view the results within each slide show, click the four arrow box in the lower right corner of the viewer to view images full size. Then click “Show Info” at the top of the page to see descriptions and selling prices of each car.

Barrett Jackson

RM Auctions

Gooding & Co

Russo and Steele

Roy Spencer, editor MercedesHeritage.com
Photography from RM Auctions, Russo and Steele, Gooding & Co, Barrett Jackson and unknown.

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Giganten aus Stahl's amazing scrap metal sculpture of the Uhlenhaut SLR Coupe boggles the mind. Look closely at the SLR's 'skin' and you'll see a myriad of interesting bits and pieces and extraordinary detail. Amazing.

German Automotive Sculpture
Heavy Metal 300SLR

Let’s escape the real world of Mercedes auction values, restorations and such and step for a moment into the fantasy world of  Giganten aus Stahl (Giants of Steel). Proprietors Armin Ciesielski, Peter Brakel and Walter Willer are metal sculptors in Germany who’ve turned their talents from constructing grim aliens and predators from scrap metal to recreating a few iconic and unobtainable automobiles also in scrap metal. We’re not sure who runs the show but together these three artists churn out a dazzling array of metallic art ranging from menacing busts (Thor), full size figures (Devil Woman), furniture and movie action heros.

Can one pay proper homage to the outrageous 1955 300SLR Uhlenhaut coupe using 10,000 pieces of cast off sprockets, springs, gear clusters, connecting rods, steel mesh and sundry other bits of metal detritus? You’ll have to be the judge but we’re pretty damn impressed. Ciesielski, Brakel and Willer have transformed a large heap of junkyard scrap into a captivating rendering of the SLR coupe. It’s all very Gothic and the resulting sculpture invites viewers to come closer for a good look at the jagged puzzle of parts that beautifully define the aggressive shape of the SLR. You just want to touch this SLR’s skin to experience how all those pieces feel joined to together.

Other Scrap Projects

The Uhlenhaut SLR joins other Giganten aus Stahl creations including a Porsche 550 Spyder, an Auto Union Type D Grand Prix car, a Bugatti Grand Prix car and a Mercedes SSKL, all constructed in the same manner. What’s up next for scrap sculptors Ciesielski, Brakel and Willer? They’re working on another full scale automotive icon, a 1938 Bugatti Atlantic Coupe also comprised of about 10,000 pieces of scrap and weighing about 2,500 lbs once finished. Look for it on display at Germany’s Techno-Classica Essen motor show March. Well done boys.

This clever sculpture of the SLR coupe would have undoubtedly brought a smile to man behind the original car were he still with us today, Rudi Uhlenhuat. Giants of Steel's craftsmen delivered a remarkably well proportioned rendering of the original 302 hp straight-eight 300SLR coupe.

The attention to detail extends to the dual spares nestled in the trunk. Wire wheels were sourced from scrapped motorcycles. Most of the styling cues from the original car are present: rectangular tail lamps, license plate lights and the "D" insignia on the trunk.

The inspiration for the 300SLR art car sits in the paddock at California's (then) Laguna Seca Raceway circa 1964. Two examples were constructed in the mid '50s under the guidance of Mercedes-Benz Technical Director Rudolph Uhlenhaut. Both are retained by Daimler Benz and will never be sold.

Roy Spencer, editor MercedesHeritage.com
Photography from Spencer Family Archives and Giganten aus Stahl

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While our just purchased 1966 250SE Cabriolet has but 30k original miles on the clock, it has been a moderate project to re-commission for enthusiastic tour and event use. A Christmas day road test demonstrated virtually 'as-new' road behavior from this mind boggling original 111 cabriolet.

End of year progress
Two in and Two out

Try as we might, we won’t be able to finish our cool 250SE 5-spd coupe in time for Martin Swig’s New Year’s Day Anti-Football Run. There are other possibilities, however, as two other interesting cars have joined our never ending group of works in progress.

Two of our recent projects are indeed complete, one of which is now safely in New Jersey with its elated new owner. The two new acquisitions couldn’t be farther apart with regard to style, value and refinement. We bring you up to date on our projects below.

“The icon gold 5.0 is a trip to drive. The custom exhaust and the tight steering make it a fun car to take on the open road.”

1954 300b

Our imposing ’54 300b has been ready to go for a few weeks lacking only its massive chromed and painted wheel covers. Superior Chrome in San Jose stripped, repaired and re-chromed all four covers after which I carefully taped off the center star before handing them to the painter. Now installed with blackwall tires, these beautiful covers complete the 3 liter sedan’s regal look.

Driveability is vastly improved after comprehensive carburetor work and extensive vacuum leak repair. Our trusted shop, Burlingame Motors next door to us,  handled all the technical work. All fluids were checked and valves adjusted. She now starts well hot and cold and pulls cleanly through all ranges although with 136 hp SAE underfoot acceleration is leisurely. Largely untouched, this 300 retains it factory build quality and wafts down the road without a creak or moan.

Our 300b now glows after heavy color sanding/polishing and installation of restored wheel covers, a $1,500 investment. Blackwall tires complete the period look and take us back to 1954.

250SE Coupe

Extensive mission creep accurately describes our 111 coupe project. We’re after a fully sorted tour and event car so chasing all the loose ends is essential. After changing all clutch hydraulics in an unsuccessful attempt to cure a clutch pedal  slow to return off the floor we were forced to pull the gearbox for a complete clutch inspection. The clutch was indeed dead and has been renewed and re-installed.

The dash is beginning to go together which enables us to see the gorgeous Madera Concepts restored wood in place. Frankly, the wood is just superb and will be a high point of the completed car. Of course, as we assemble the wood each switch and lever needs to function correctly and are repaired as required. The clock received a quartz movement from Palo Alto Speedometer who also cleaned/serviced all the gauges. 111 coupe/cabriolet dashes are masterpieces of design and we’re looking forward to completing the interior.

Massive work remains and we have a new carpet set, dyna mat sections, recently chromed bumpers, factory replacement trunk perimeter panels and plenty of misc. hardware sitting on the bench awaiting installation. The back glass came out to allow restoration of the package panel in new Cognac leather and windshield seal also replaced.  So, the checks will continue to be written to see this elegant coupe through to completion.

Dash reassembly for the 250SE coupe is a tedious affair. We've reconditioned each item that goes back in place - gauges, clock, temp levers, radio etc. Restored dash will glow. New seat leather, new carpets and carefully dyed original dash pads/door panels are ready for installation.

450SLC 5.0

Done! We didn’t have much time to enjoy our cool Euro 5.0 liter SLC once completed due to an anxious buyer waiting for delivery. Our plan to simply paint the unique specially fabricated bumper void covers with the correct Neutral Grey Metallic evolved to painting the entire lower sections of the coachwork to acheive a consistent color match. Once completed, the car looked superb with a tough edge to match the rumble of our specially fabricated exhaust.

New owner Michael C. seemed pleased after his first drive. “The icon gold 5.0 is a trip to drive. The custom exhaust and the tight steering make it a fun car to take on the open road. Without the chrome bumpers, I am seriously thinking of putting in some period correct recaro seats and following in the footsteps of that company you talk about from Belgium that is producing slc rally cars again.”

Our Euro SLC is now in the east coast. Sans bumpers and with the unique covers installed, the Icon Gold SLC takes on a tougher stance. Cosmetics recovered remarkably well after an aggressive color sand and polish. We'll miss this muscular 5.0 liter SLC.

Had the car remained in our inventory, the next step would have been short, progressive rate springs and a set of spot lights to complete the look. We're already after another 5.0 liter, a late series 1980 500SLC.

New Arrivals
Elegance and character

Our new projects, a tatty but exceptionally original Fintail and breathtaking 30k mile 250SE Cabriolet, occupy very different positions in the collectible Mercedes hierarchy. Each has a special charm although at very different price points. Acquiring the 250SE stressed our finances to the limit but writing the check for the fin was a cinch.

1966 200D

This homely but particularly solid black plate California car had been for sale for quite some time. Not worth a specific trip across the SF bay to inspect, I inspected it while in the area looking at what turned out to be a disaster 6.3. I found an absolutely rust and damage free fin with saveable original beige interior and $7,500 of recent mechanical work: engine overhaul, fresh brakes, sealed fuel tank, new tires, new clutch and plenty of other misc. reconditioning.

Owned by a dedicated and very hands-on MB enthusiast and running/driving quite well, this fin was an ideal candidate for some further technical sorting but NO cosmetic improvements to disturb the wonderful patina resulting from a 20 year slumber in a Los Gatos, CA barn . We’ll polish what remains of the largely original paint but there will be no paintwork whatsoever.

Our technical regimen has included full steam cleaning, a fresh brake booster, new tie rod ends/alignment. Starting the car cold requires about 10 minutes(!) of coaxing so we’ll replace the fuel injection pre-pump. Once hot this 60hp diesel fires immediately and is remarkably responsive on the road.

To allow a comprehensive detailing we’ve removed the bumpers/rocker moldings and insignias. The wheel caps will be stripped and repainted and we’ll visit our secret fintail graveyard to source a radio, intact rear seat back, lr tail light lens, manuals, horn pad and misc other odds and ends.

This cool fin will be our mount for January 1st’s Anti-Football tour.

Recently rescued from a barn and now running superbly after a $7,500 mechanical rebuild, our unmolested 200D is a great 111 sedan find. Thankfully, no one altered this car from its original specification. Dead paint will be left alone.

Moderately weathered but completely original interior will be massaged as best possible. Panel fit and closure is as good as the day it was originally sold. However, dry door seals prompt massive door rattles while the diesel idles. We love the overall patina.

1966 250SE Cabriolet

The adage ‘they’re only original once’ aptly describes our spectacular untouched 30k mile mid series 111 Cabriolet. This museum quality 250SE required a total of 10 years from my initial inspection to purchase. I had inspected the car in 2001 while still with its original owner in San Francisco. There was no deal at that time and after passing through two subsequent owners the beautifully preserved Cabriolet landed in San Bernardino in 2008, taken as collateral for an urgent loan.

Fortunately, each owner respected the car’s extraordinary condition and low mileage thus preserving one of the finest 111 Cabriolets on the planet. Our reconditioning includes the following:

• New 75 series tires
• Major Service, new MBZ battery, clutch slave cyl/hose
• New trailing arm bushings, engine mounts, trans mount, shocks
• New brake hoses, Brake flush, fuel lines, rear muffler

It’s back on the road and provides the rare experience of driving an essentially new 250SE Cabriolet. We’re particularly happy it’s fitted with a manual gearbox and no AC, a most sporting combination. Inspecting all the nooks and crannies reveals virtually new finishes and hardware and little evidence of use.

How original is this car? The interior is 100% original and retains the appearance and scent of a new car. Handbooks are flawless. The tool roll has never been out of the plastic wrap. Every square inch of the trunk appears new, from the unused spare to the various hardware and decals. With only a careful undercarriage steam and detail, an alignment and few minor items remaining, this magnificent Cabriolet will be ready just after the New Year.

Burlingame Motors' brain trust Rene Wiegand and Al Salas attend to one of the most original Cabriolets in the country.

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What will 2012 deliver to the MercedesHeritage premises? We’re not entirely sure but our searches continue. If you know of an interesting old or youngtimer, please email us or call 650-343-7980. We pay handsomely for leads that lead to purchases. For now, we’ll push to finish our current cars and report back next month.

Roy Spencer, editor MercedesHeritage.com
Photography from MercedesHeritage.com

Read the previous Projects article.

Read about the 111 series Coupe/Cabriolet.

Read about the SLC range.

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One of the more misguided efforts to improve(?) an SLR, the Red Gold Dream must represent the pinnacle - or the abyss - of automotive taste. Creator Ueli Anliker's target market undoubtedly includes Russian oligarchs.

Multi-Million dollar mess
Gilded SLR Repulses

It’s red and it was released just in time to become a potential Christmas present. There is only one example hence it will only require one wealthy and probably drunk individual to step forward and buy it. In one of the more nauseating displays of automotive excess, German supercar tuner(destroyer) Ueli Anliker has given the supercar world his fullest interpretation of the out-of-production Mercedes McLaren SLR.

While describing this SLR is difficult we can report it involved one perfectly good SLR, 11 pounds of gold, 600 rubies, 35 craftsmen and reportedly 30,000 man hours to finish(ruin). If there was a surface available for a gem or gold application, it was lavishly and expensively wall papered with metallic money and/or stones.

Engine development continues in search of 1,000 hp and  GPS enables remote shutdown should another individual with exceedingly poor taste decide to steal it. The ‘Red Gold Dream’ SLR represents a new low in modified SLRs. However, on the business side, if an individual steps forward and pays anywhere near the $11m asking price, Mr. Anliker will be laughing all the way to the bank.

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Slightly ostentatious, don't you think? Note the large Rubies embedded in the top of the right door panel. I suppose we have to recognize the meticulous application of gold leaf and gems. This SLR interior was laid bare during the transformation from potent supercar to high speed gem encrusted abortion.

Swiss registered SLR 999 is sure to disgust the generally understated and discriminate Swiss populace. 14k Gold plated wheels, boy racer spoiler, pop off sunroof, and crude sail panel 'diffusers' finish off the package.

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Roy Spencer, editor MercedesHeritage.com
Photography from Ueli Anliker Design

Resources:

SLR Overview

SLR Classifieds

SLR Videos

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The speculation is over. Mercedes-Benz has revealed the next generation SL. Lighter, quicker and embodying clever new technology, the 2013 SL500 again raises the bar in the premium luxury roadster segment.

2013 SL Revealed
Evolution rather than Revolution for the new SL

We reported last month on developments for the next generation SL. While much technical information was forthcoming from Mercedes-Benz, non-camouflaged images were not. The bulky cladding intended to obscure the new SL’s true shape did not fully hide what seemed to be a conservative, evolutionary design. These just-released images of the final design confirm our suspicions.

Driven by EU mandated nose and hood design parameters, the shape of the new SL - along with those of arch rival BMW - certainly can't be described as sleek. The bulky coachwork is evident here. Ever taller wheel/tire combinations will be required to balance the design's mass.

EU pedestrian safety drives designs

Daimer AG chairman Dr Dieter Zetsche summed the SL’s position on the marketplace succinctly: “There are around 900 million cars in the world and thousands of models. But there are only a handful of automotive icons. Our SL is one of them.” Indeed.

We covered much of the new car’s fabulous technology in last month’s 2013 SL Update. The new SL500 is 125kg lighter and produces 53hp more than 2011′s edition. Technology marches on and the fact that the 2013 V6 SL350 – likely a Europe only edition – produces more power (306hp) than a 2006 V8 SL500 starkly illustrates this.

Is this new car as pure and attractive as the original R230 design introduced in spring of 2002 as a 2003 model? Arguably no. European designers had far more freedom during previous design cycles. Today, strict regulations regarding hood, bumper and grille design must be incorporated in any new model. By 2015, the EU demands that automakers’ products make collisions survivable when they occur between a pedestrian and a car moving at 40kph (24.9 mph).

“The new SL illustrates the conundrum of the regulations: How to marry the fundamentally chunky nose with an attractive and stylish midriff and tail.”

A fundamental driver in today’s designs is the mandated three inch clearance between mechanical items and the underside of a hood. This gap provides a crush zone to soften the blow when a pedestrian’s head contacts the hood when struck by a car. Future pedestrian safety measures may include ‘active’ hoods and infrared sensing technology. So, the bluff noses we see today on are here to stay.

Bluff nose sets the tone for the new SL's shape. We see some Ferrari 456 influence in the fender vent/rocker crease and side body peak line. Lower weight and a standard 435hp will make this new SL most rewarding to drive. Alloy unit body is a Mercedes-Benz first.

Prior generation R230 series design (SL65 here) was less restricted by design regulation. Low nose profile led the design. Note the rake of the nose, side view mirror placement and the notch down aft of the mirror to an aggressively raked beltline. Circular fuel filler door looks jarring today. This lean design is difficult to achieve given today's EU regulations.

Design Compromise

The new SL illustrates the conundrum of the regulations: How to marry the fundamentally chunky nose with an attractive and stylish midriff and tail. Interest in overall design harmony dictates the remaining aspects of the design should should remain, well…related. Hence tails and belt lines are expanding. Compare the new SL with the original 2003 R230 SL shape and all becomes clear.

Oh, we shouldn’t forget to mention Mercedes-Benz is also offering new apps for the new SL: in addition to a free news app and a Facebook app, there are optional Mercedes-Benz apps for stock prices and a car park finder. A Yelp app to look for restaurants is available for the US market. Yes, it’s a new world on all fronts for the latest SL…

Roy Spencer, editor MercedesHeritage.com
Photography from Daimler Media.

New SL engine technology.

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Returning 5.0 liter SLCs to the dirt and track.

5.0 liter SLC Rally cars thunder again
Belgian firm constructing race/rally SLCs

Did you know that Mercedes-Benz campaigned 500 SLCs for two seasons of international rallying? Under the guidance of Erich Waxenberger (creator of the 6.3 in the late sixties), a team of SLCs cut quite a swathe through the dirt and gravel of far flung nations during the 1979 and 1980 seasons. The Safari Rally of Kenya, the Acropolis Rally etc. – the brawny SLCs ran them all and finished a credible fourth in the 1980 World Rally Championship.

While only two full years in duration, the factory’s foray into the unpredictable world of rallying has not been forgotten. Belgian Guillaume Dumarey decided in 2007 to bring the memories of this unique adventure to life once again by constructing clones of the original factory rally cars. When Mercedes abandoned the project in the early eighties the remaining stock of engines, gearboxes, bodywork and ancillary items were sold off to an enthusiast in Germany.

There the parts languished until Dumarey decided to bring the cars back to life. He purchased the whole lot and founded SLC Racing in 2007. SLC Racing’s aim is to recreate the cars while making them more driver friendly to appeal to wealthy privateers wanting to have a go at the Historic European Rallies and Tours.

SLCs' everywhere. Donor cars awaiting transformation into race and rally cars sit neatly arranged in SLC Racing's dis-assembly area. Donor cars are still fairly inexpensive.

This in-progress shot illustrates the high level of craftsmanship. As evidenced by the wheel arch flares and massive rubber mud flaps, this SLC will become a rally car.

First Class Facility
Arrive and drive programs

The first car required over a year to construct and after a few preliminary tests on local gravel it was off to Belgium for the Ypres 24 hours Rally. While not particularly well suited to the narrow roads, the bellowing 300 hp SLC acquitted itself well, finishing eight overall in the historic class behind seven Ford Escorts. The current plan is to put the cars on a diet and shed another 100kg.

Dumarey must have been a surgeon in an earlier life because his facility in Namestovo, Slovakia – plenty of dirt and gravel roads nearby for testing – is hospital-like in its cleanliness. Donor SLCs are cheap and he has 16 cars either in progress or awaiting restoration. The fabrication looks to be first class and the end result must be a riot to fling through the mud. SLC Racing also provides full race support facilities and staff, essentially offering an “arrive and drive” program. He told me they plan to complete three more cars before October and participate in the Tour de Corse. There will be two SLCs available as rentals for that event.

The goal, says Dumarey, is “to bring together all enthusiasts of the Mercedes SLC Rally cars and participate in the most beautiful rallies.” We wish them well with this great project! Be sure to have a look at their extensive gallery slide show.

Rally Specifications:

• Engine Type: M117 E 50 Cylinder capacity: 4973cc Horsepower: 300hp
• Transmission: W3B050722.006 MB Automatic 3-way transmission
• Gear ratios: 2.31 1.46 1 Final drive: 4.08 Limited slip differential
• Suspension: Complete framework on nylon buses
• Shock absorbers: Bilstein shock absorbers
• Brakes: Front: Disc brakes 300mm x 22 mm Alcon 4 piston brake calipers Back: Disc brakes 300mm x 21 mm Alcon 2 piston brake calipers
• Wheels: Asphalt rallies: 9×15 BBS monobloc rally rims Michelin TB5 historic rally tires Gravel rallies: 7×15 BBS monobloc rally rims Michelin gravel tires
• Fuel Tank: ATL FIA FT3 safety tank capacity 80l
• Rollcage: FIA multipoint rollcage
• Price: 135,000 Euros (incl. VAT)

Since this article was first written in mid-2008, Dumarey has added a road racing version seen above - similar to the MAMPE SLC - and the Safari edition below.

The Safari edition SLC is ready to tackle the parched African 'raids.'

Roy Spencer, editor MercedesHeritage.com
Photography from SLC Racing.EU

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