1991 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL

For 1991, the Mercedes-Benz 300SL was powered by a 24-valve dual-overhead-cam six-cylinder engine displacing 180.8 cubic-inches and offering nearly 230 horsepower. The 300SL came with either a five-speed manual gearbox as standard or an optional five-speed automatic. Disc brakes could be found in both the front and rear. New for this year was the Adaptive Damping System (ADS).

After nearly two decades, the 560SL was replaced by the 300SL and 500SL in 1990. These new rear-wheel-drive two-seater coupe/roadsters rested on a short and sporty wheelbase and came with both a folding top and removable aluminum hardtop. The 300SL had a 3-liter engine while the 500SL had a 32-valve 5-liter V8 rated at nearly 330 horsepower. An electro-hydraulic mechanism automatically adjusted the engine's valve timing, which provided more torque at midrange. There were airbags installed on both the drivers and passenger's side. Harkening back to the original 300SL design, the new model had small air-extractor vents located ahead of the door.

Both luxurious and sporty, the 300SL could race from zero-to-sixty in about 9 seconds.

By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2012