Mercedes-Benz R107 and C107

The Mercedes-Benz R107 and C107 are grand tourers that Mercedes-Benz produced from 1971 until 1989, sold as the SL (R107) and SLC (C107), with model names showing the engine displacement. The R107 was a two-seat convertible with a detachable roof and was the only roadster Mercedes-Benz offered during its run, replacing the W113 SL in 1971 and giving way to the R129 in 1989. The C107 was a four-seat fixed-roof coupe on a wheelbase 36 cm longer, replacing the W111 coupe in 1971 and ending in 1981 when the C126 took over, and it is the only time Mercedes-Benz based an S-Class coupe on a stretched SL platform. Both used the midsize W114 chassis components with the M116 and M117 V8 engines, and the line was aimed at the American market, where 204,373 of 300,175 cars were sold. Volume production began with the 350 SL in April 1971, and the 450 SLC 5.0 homologation coupe of 1977 had an aluminium V8 and body panels.