In the 70s, it was not "just" to export cars to the USA. The American authorities had introduced strict requirements for exhaust gas cleaning and bumpers that should withstand small collisions. The solution was own USA models. Now many have returned to Europe.
Mercedes-Benz's third edition of the SL class became very popular in the USA. It had a V8 engine and could easily be converted from a hardtop to a softtop. Due to stricter safety requirements, American car manufacturers could no longer produce open cars. The last American-built "convertible" for many years was to be the 1976 model of the Cadillac Eldorado. But Americans who loved to drive without a roof could choose the Mercedes-Benz SL instead – if they could afford it.
Mercedes-Benz 450 SL
We had agreed to take a closer look at one of Tommy Martinsen's cars – a 450 SL with large American bumpers and lots of chrome. In the fine July weather, the coastal area between Saltnes and Engelsviken offers a true Southern idyll. To get a good frame around the pictures, we drove out to the fishing pier at Lervik. Previously, there were fish sales in the stalls when the fishing boats came in. Today, there are not as many fishing boats there, but leisure boats. Local people meet and bathing youngsters cool off by "taking a bomb" from the jetty.
Tommy's Mercedes did really well in the maritime environment. The interior is in blue tones and is color coordinated with the exterior color "Grey Blue". The wheel caps are in the same colour. The previous owner insisted on keeping the car original. Shiny wheel arches, shiny door sills and chrome in the door panels look great and bring to mind a real American. The caps and chrome date the car to the 70s. It was first registered on an unknown date in 1974, but the color code and serial number indicate that it is a 1975 model.
One of the longest-lived models of all time
The model was introduced as a 1971 model and produced until model year 1989. Few models have been in production for as long. The USA version was not ready until 1972. At first it was sold as the 350 SL, while in reality it had a 4,5 liter V8. Mercedes-Benz had to make some changes to the engine management - which, together with the catalytic converter, meant that you could not extract as much power as in the European models. From 1974, the US models also received the designation 450 SL - but still with lower performances than corresponding European cars.
X
The SL model with the type designation R107 was made in three different series. Our car belongs to the first series that was produced from model year 1972 through 1980. It received a couple of additional changes in 1974 to meet new requirements from the US authorities. "The Federal Bumper Standard" made it necessary to create completely new bumpers. In addition, the V8 had to be further tuned down – from 190 HP to 180 HP. For comparison, equivalent European versions of the engine produced 224 HP.
X
In 1981, the SL model inherited components from the then brand new S-Class (W126), among other things, the suspension and brakes were upgraded. It got the S-Class' new 380 V8 engine. The engine made the car lighter, but to adapt to American requirements for exhaust gas purification - it had to be tuned down to 155 HP. The automatic cash register got 4 steps.
X
When Mercedes-Benz renewed the S-Class for the 1986 model year, the 380 engine was dropped from the model range because the market demanded engines with lower consumption. The SL models in the USA then got the 560 engine from the S-class instead. This too was detuned compared to European models, but still produced a decent 227 HP.
The original equipment
You will find the car's equipment codes on the data plate which, on our car, is screwed into the body in front of the radiator. You can find what the codes mean online. Our car was equipped with the following when it left the factory:
513 – Becker Europe radio.
531 – Auto antenna
585 – Behr aircon and electric windows
593 – Green tinted windows
636 – Omission of warning triangle (!)
466 – Central locking
491 – USA version
Original or customized
It is a matter of taste and pleasure. Should you keep the car's original character or modernize it? And how many changes can be made before the "Benz feeling" disappears? In the 80s came Lorinser with styling equipment for SL – tasteful, stylish and expensive. For some reason it seems to fit best with later models. If you have an early model, it should be originally equipped - possibly with additional equipment of the time, such as Mercedes-Benz's iconic Bundt/baroque rims. An old Becker radio in the dashboard also contributes to a good Benz feeling, although some have been installed just for the sake of appearance - with a hidden modern system in addition.
What should you watch out for on the US model?
When importing vintage cars from the USA, the owner must provide technical information to the vehicle register. This means that over the years many errors have unfortunately been punched into the register - a problem that does not only affect classic Mercedes-Benz models. A common mistake is that US models are registered with performances equivalent to European models. Then the stated number of horses can be far more than what you get in reality. It does not play a major role in the use value, but destroys the car's history.
Rust
One of the reasons why many cars are imported from the USA is low mileage and little or no rust due to a hot and dry climate or storage in a garage. The model is not particularly susceptible to rust. Most prone to rust are the cars before 1976. After that they got better steel. From 1980 the bodies were waxed and from 1986 many parts were galvanized. Any rust appears in the usual places.
Known errors that may accompany the model
High durability that can withstand high mileage characterizes the model. There are a couple of known faults with the US models which should be fixed through the car's normal service programme. One rather serious problem is the possibility of subframe breaks on the 350 and 450 SL. This resulted in a voluntary recall where affected owners had the car checked and repaired free of charge through the dealer network. Another known problem is hot start problems which could be traced to the injection system. It is also known that the 380 SL can have problems with the timing chain. The American engines were equipped with one long chain instead of two separate chains that European models had – one for each engine bank. Several American car owners were converted to two chains. Regardless of the model, you should listen for rattles and noises in the register when starting from cold. Although the chains should last 250-320 km on the 000 SL, plastic slide rails can weather and take damage over the years.
But, as I said, if the car has been to a Mercedes-Benz workshop recently, these problems are very likely noted or fixed.
Facts about Tommy's 450 SL
Weights and Measures
Length, width, height: 462 / 179 / 130 cm
Wheelbase: 246 cm
Net weight: 1545 kg (without driver)
Number of seats: 2 (2+2 was optional)
Luggage compartment: 260 litres
Drivetrain
Engine: 4520 ccm V8 with Bosch D Jetronic
Power: 180 HP (original)
Torque: 298 Nm at 3000 revolutions
Gearbox: Automatic 3-speed
Rear wheel drive.
Tires
Dimension: 205/70R14 98T
Type: Summer
Brand: Nexen N blue HD Plus
About the car
Type designations: W107 and R107
Place of production: Sindelfingen, Germany
Owner: Tommy Martinsen
Model: 1975
Used imported: 2004
Mileage: 88 miles
Worthy of preservation
General
Horsepower per model (HK SAE Net).
The figures only apply to US models.
1972 350 SL 190 HP
1973 450 SL 190 HP
1974-1979 450 SL 180 HP
1980 450 SL 160 HP
1981-1985 380 SL 155 HP
1986-1989 560 SL 227 HP
See
