1987 Mercedes-Benz 560

The all-new 350SL Type M107 was introduced in 1971 and served as the replacement for the long-running 230/250/280SL, with the design internally designated Type R107. The design was courtesy of Bruno Sacco, who had also created the Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedans of the 1970s. In comparison to its predecessor, the 350SL was larger and more rounded in its overall proportions. It was based upon a steel unibody structure and the interior was luxuriously appointed. It was faster, had more predictable handling, and the latest safety features.

During its nearly 20-year production lifespan, it was continually updated and refined along with five variants. The 5.6-liter V8 delivered 227 horsepower and 279 pounds-feet of torque and was available on the 560SL line from 1985 through 1989. The unitary body of the Type 107 changed little over the years, however, the engines increased in capacity to offer better performance, power, and fuel economy. The US accounted for a major part of their volume sales, so Daimler-Benz worked hard to ensure the U.S. specifications cars equaled the performance of the European cars despite the more stringent safety and emission controls.

The final iteration of the 560SL Type 107 series was introduced in 1985. It was designed especially for the North American market and its exterior featured a different tail badge, S-Class door handles, a deeper front air dam, and a brake light on the rear deck. The new all-alloy 5.6-liter V8 engine received a 47% increase in power over the previous 450SL. Zero-to-sixty mph was accomplished in eight seconds and top speed reached 137 mph. The suspension included an anti-dive geometry at the front and anti-squat at the rear. The air dam reduced the front-end lift by 17%. Bigger disc brakes with ABS provided quicker stopping power. Inside, leather upholstery was now standard, and the seats had better lateral support. The climate control system and seat belts had been improved, and there was a Becker Grand Prix radio-cassette system.

The 1987 Mercedes 560 Series was comprised of the 560SEL sedan, the 560SEC coupe, and the 560SL roadster. All three were powered by the overhead-cam eight-cylinder 338.5 CID engine offering 240 horsepower.

by Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2019