Skip to content
  • We Are SLSHOP
  • The world’s leading classic SL destination. Welcome to SLSHOP.
tel +44 (0) 1789 337 070
SLSHOP
  • HOME
  • Showroom
    • Classic Mercedes-Benz
      • Showroom
      • Current Inventory
    • New Builds
      • W113 Factory
      • R107 Factory
      • R107 Sportline
      • R107 Electric
    • Selling Your SL
      • Valuation
      • Consignment Sale
      • Sell Us Yours
      • Previously Sold
    • BN COL 1
      • The SL Market

      • Buying

    • BN COL 2
      • SLSHOP Warranty

      • We are SLSHOP

  • Owner Services
    • W113 SL Tailored Services
      • W113 Pagoda Servicing
      • W113 Pagoda Setup
      • W113 Pagoda Restoration
    • R107 SL Tailored Services
      • R107 Servicing
      • R107 Bulkhead Repair
      • R107 Correct Restoration
      • USA to Euro Cosmetic Conversion
      • Hard & Soft Top Adjustment
      • Bulkhead Check
      • Sportline
    • R129 SL Tailored Services
      • R129 Servicing
      • R129 Diagnostics
      • R129 Restoration
      • R129 Roof operation fix
    • BN COL 1
      • Epic Restorations

      • Improving

    • BN COL 2
      • SLSHOP TV

      • We are SLSHOP

    • Classic Mercedes-Benz Owner Services
      • Complete Health Check
      • Structural Check
      • Engine Check
      • Brake Check
      • Under Body Check
      • Classic Mercedes Restoration
      • Modern Classics Servicing
      • Pre Season Check
      • SLSHOP MOT
    • SLSHOP Supporting services
      • Detailing
      • Hardtop Storage
      • Vehicle Storage
      • Transportation Support
      • Valuation Certificate
      • Rust protection
      • SLSHOP Service Process
    • CARE
      • CARE
      • How it works
      • Pricing
      • Inspired Places to Visit
  • CARE
    • CARE
    • How it works
    • CARE Pricing
    • Inspired Places to Visit
  • Experience
    • Cotswolds Tour
    • Wales Tour
    • Open Day
    • Donnington Park
    • Rally Experience
  • Parts Store
    • W113 Pagoda Parts
    • R107 Parts
    • Sportline Parts
  • ClubHouse
  • We Are SLSHOP

Generation Game – Three Decades of Automotive Icons, 1968 to 1989

An interesting SL photo for your Friday evening musings… The […]

An interesting SL photo for your Friday evening musings…

The two cars at the top of the frame are separated by just 4 years, with the Horizon Blue Pagoda being a 1968 280SL and the R107 being a very early 350SL from 1972.

In the bottom right hand corner of our photograph we introduce a 1989 300SL in Signal Red, a car built a full 18 years after the Beige Metallic 350SL was first registered!

Showing the cars in this context highlights a number of things…

1. The gulf between the Pagoda and R107 was significant

The R107 represented a gigantic leap from the W113, not just in terms of the technology on the car itself but in the way the cars were made.

Although the Pagoda was ‘mass produced’ for it’s day, the construction of the R107 is on another level entirely. Sit these two cars side by side, try the cabin, the switch gear, the locks, the handles, the windows…

Sit in the captain’s chair and pilot these three cars down the road and you’ll feel the difference that all those development years (and Deutsche Marks) then created.

The Pagoda feels delicate and lithe, whilst the 350SL is the bruiser of the bunch… Raw and almost raucous, like a muscle car from a bygone era.

By contrast the late model 300SL is a different animal entirely, refined and light on it’s feet, more sophisticated and… somehow all grown up and serious.

2. The incredible feat that was the R107

For the R107 to remain in production, commercially viable, culturally popular and in demand for a full two decades speaks volumes as to what Mercedes-Benz achieved with this car.

Compare the Beige Metallic 350SL with the Signal Red 300 that’s almost two decades newer, and the untrained eye might not even see the difference. For a car that was developed in the late 1960s to survive largely unchanged almost into the 1990s is an impressive achievement, testament to the over development of the model.

The R107 remains so popular today thanks to the solid foundation on which it sits – replacing the Pagoda was no easy feat, and Mercedes-Benz knew that it was a task they needed to more than just accomplish – it was a task they needed to vanquish.

Hop in a W113 Pagoda or an R107 SL and you’ll channel the energy of the time, whether it’s the delicate feel of how a Pagoda skits along the road or the sturdy and reassuring *thunk* as you slam the door of your 500SL…

It might be the gentle action of engaging 1st through to 4th in the manual gearbox of a 1968 280SL or the surprising momentum that can be gained when your right foot pushes deep into the carpet of an R107, propelled by all those thundering horses from a capacious V8 power plant.

These cars are entirely addictive, if not for the way they feel then for the way they look. Perhaps it’s a combination of looks, feeling and emotion that drive the interest in these cars, but the passion is real, and with SLSHOP, the passion is shared.

It was a joy to park these three icons side by side during our recent photoshoot, and that underlined the other crucial thing that these three Mercedes-Benz roadsters have in common…

They are all currently available in our showroom.

Well…

That might have been a long and convoluted way to introduce three new cars from Bruce and the team, but we hope you enjoyed reading it! Find them on our website.

Have a great weekend.

 

An interesting SL photo for your Friday evening musings…

The two cars at the top of the frame are separated by just 4 years, with the Horizon Blue Pagoda being a 1968 280SL and the R107 being a very early 350SL from 1972.

In the bottom right hand corner of our photograph we introduce a 1989 300SL in Signal Red, a car built a full 18 years after the Beige Metallic 350SL was first registered!

Showing the cars in this context highlights a number of things…

1. The gulf between the Pagoda and R107 was significant

The R107 represented a gigantic leap from the W113, not just in terms of the technology on the car itself but in the way the cars were made.

Although the Pagoda was ‘mass produced’ for it’s day, the construction of the R107 is on another level entirely. Sit these two cars side by side, try the cabin, the switch gear, the locks, the handles, the windows…

Sit in the captain’s chair and pilot these three cars down the road and you’ll feel the difference that all those development years (and Deutsche Marks) then created.

The Pagoda feels delicate and lithe, whilst the 350SL is the bruiser of the bunch… Raw and almost raucous, like a muscle car from a bygone era.

By contrast the late model 300SL is a different animal entirely, refined and light on it’s feet, more sophisticated and… somehow all grown up and serious.

2. The incredible feat that was the R107

For the R107 to remain in production, commercially viable, culturally popular and in demand for a full two decades speaks volumes as to what Mercedes-Benz achieved with this car.

Compare the Beige Metallic 350SL with the Signal Red 300 that’s almost two decades newer, and the untrained eye might not even see the difference. For a car that was developed in the late 1960s to survive largely unchanged almost into the 1990s is an impressive achievement, testament to the over development of the model.

The R107 remains so popular today thanks to the solid foundation on which it sits – replacing the Pagoda was no easy feat, and Mercedes-Benz knew that it was a task they needed to more than just accomplish – it was a task they needed to vanquish.

Hop in a W113 Pagoda or an R107 SL and you’ll channel the energy of the time, whether it’s the delicate feel of how a Pagoda skits along the road or the sturdy and reassuring *thunk* as you slam the door of your 500SL…

It might be the gentle action of engaging 1st through to 4th in the manual gearbox of a 1968 280SL or the surprising momentum that can be gained when your right foot pushes deep into the carpet of an R107, propelled by all those thundering horses from a capacious V8 power plant.

These cars are entirely addictive, if not for the way they feel then for the way they look. Perhaps it’s a combination of looks, feeling and emotion that drive the interest in these cars, but the passion is real, and with SLSHOP, the passion is shared.

It was a joy to park these three icons side by side during our recent photoshoot, and that underlined the other crucial thing that these three Mercedes-Benz roadsters have in common…

They are all currently available in our showroom.

Well…

That might have been a long and convoluted way to introduce three new cars from Bruce and the team, but we hope you enjoyed reading it! Find them on our website.

Have a great weekend.

 

More from ClubHouse

  • Parts Showcase – Two Very Rare Pagoda Components from our Holland Haul

    Parts Showcase – Two Very Rare Pagoda Components from our Holland Haul

    January 20th, 2021
  • Workshop Update – A Pagoda SL in Every Colour (almost)

    Workshop Update – A Pagoda SL in Every Colour (almost)

    January 20th, 2021
  • Meet the SLSHOP Team: Tom Hook, Parts Department

    Meet the SLSHOP Team: Tom Hook, Parts Department

    January 18th, 2021
  • Take a tour of the SLSHOP Showroom – From your home

    Take a tour of the SLSHOP Showroom – From your home

    January 18th, 2021
  • SOLD! Demand stays high while temperatures stay low.

    SOLD! Demand stays high while temperatures stay low.

    January 15th, 2021
  • Four Seat Luxury – The History of the S Class Coupe, via W111 and SLC

    Four Seat Luxury – The History of the S Class Coupe, via W111 and SLC

    January 8th, 2021
  • Harry’s Garage: Harry Metcalfe on Electric Cars, Classic Cars & The Future

    Harry’s Garage: Harry Metcalfe on Electric Cars, Classic Cars & The Future

    December 16th, 2020
  • ‘WOT’ does it take to build an inch-perfect Pagoda…?

    ‘WOT’ does it take to build an inch-perfect Pagoda…?

    December 16th, 2020
  • Mercedes-Benz R107 SL celebrates 50th Birthday by displaying a very special SL

    Mercedes-Benz R107 SL celebrates 50th Birthday by displaying a very special SL

    December 16th, 2020
  • What does 2021 have in store for the Classic Mercedes-Benz market?

    What does 2021 have in store for the Classic Mercedes-Benz market?

    December 16th, 2020
  • Lose yourself in 1989 for but a moment…

    Lose yourself in 1989 for but a moment…

    December 8th, 2020
  • Mercedes Enthusiast – SL Showdown 3 of the Best

    Mercedes Enthusiast – SL Showdown 3 of the Best

    December 2nd, 2020
  • Mercedes Owner – The 560 Trip to Norway

    Mercedes Owner – The 560 Trip to Norway

    December 2nd, 2020
  • Your SL Adventures – Morad from Cairo

    Your SL Adventures – Morad from Cairo

    December 2nd, 2020
  • Your SL Adventures – Magnus from Norway

    Your SL Adventures – Magnus from Norway

    December 2nd, 2020
  • What does Mechanical Reliability mean to you?

    What does Mechanical Reliability mean to you?

    December 2nd, 2020|0 National Insurance Number
  • Our Cars – Astral Silver with Sports Check – SLSHOP Restorations

    Our Cars – Astral Silver with Sports Check – SLSHOP Restorations

    December 2nd, 2020
  • Our Cars – A Very Special 250SL Pagoda – SLSHOP Restorations

    Our Cars – A Very Special 250SL Pagoda – SLSHOP Restorations

    December 2nd, 2020
  • Our Cars – The Very Best 300SL You Can Build – SLSHOP Restorations

    Our Cars – The Very Best 300SL You Can Build – SLSHOP Restorations

    December 2nd, 2020
  • Our Cars – Bruce’s Very Own 500SL Restoration – Magazine Feature

    Our Cars – Bruce’s Very Own 500SL Restoration – Magazine Feature

    December 1st, 2020
  • Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Pagoda – What did it cost new?

    Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Pagoda – What did it cost new?

    December 1st, 2020
  • Mercedes-Benz 420SL R107 Crank Position Sensor available at SLSHOP

    Mercedes-Benz 420SL R107 Crank Position Sensor available at SLSHOP

    December 1st, 2020
  • WANTED – Stories of Your Mercedes-Benz SL Adventures

    WANTED – Stories of Your Mercedes-Benz SL Adventures

    December 1st, 2020
  • Our Cars – The ‘SVR’ Pagoda Restoration – Magazine Feature

    Our Cars – The ‘SVR’ Pagoda Restoration – Magazine Feature

    December 1st, 2020
  • Our Cars – The 500SL SportLine – Magazine Feature

    Our Cars – The 500SL SportLine – Magazine Feature

    December 1st, 2020
  • Our Cars – The 300SL SportLine – Magazine Feature

    Our Cars – The 300SL SportLine – Magazine Feature

    December 1st, 2020
  • Keeping Warm with Almandine

    Keeping Warm with Almandine

    November 30th, 2020

CARE membership plans

 Join Our Family

Improve your SL

Increase the value it brings you

For every SL owner we have met, the key aspect in ownership and running these amazing motorcars is ensuring that this prized possession remains a joy to use whenever, wherever and however; protecting and increasing its value over time.

As the World’s largest specialist in classic SL’s we have drawn upon our experience with our customers, with hundreds of cars and thousands of hours behind the wheel and under the ramp to develop CARE; a way of engaging a community of owners and protecting the value of their investments as well as enhancing their cars condition, reliability and desirability.

Discover More

CLASSIC

Would you like to be a little more involved with your car and the marketplace? It’s easy to be a member and join our community. CLASSIC gives you access to an extensive range of benefits without the commitment of a service plan.

COMPLETE

The importance of a correctly maintained classic cannot be understated when it comes to the eventual sale of your asset. COMPLETE membership adds a Service & Maintenance programme specifically designed around your usage.

CONCIERGE

Time poor? You’ll like the idea of CONCIERGE. We will collect and deliver your SL, or provide a premium experience at point of service that includes an overnight stay on us as well as access to our market expertise.

Be the First to Know

We don’t mind whether you are in the market for one of our awesome cars or just interested in seeing whats new and whats going on in the market. Pop your details in here to receive updates on all thats “hot” in the showroom.

Contact

What are you waiting for? Drop us a line and let us know which car you would like to hire and when you would like it. We’ll guide you through everything from there on in.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

More From SLSHOP

Experience
Owner Services
Parts Store
CARE

Contact SLSHOP Showroom

Whatever your Mercedes-Benz, Whatever your needs are, Let the SLSHOP help you. It all starts with getting to know you and your needs. We have designed this contact form to be quick and easy and we never share your data.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Contact

Location

T:01789 337 070

[email protected]

SLSHOP

Unit 1a, 2, 3, & 4b Drayton Manor Drive
Stratford Upon Avon, Warwickshire
CV37 9RQ

Hours:
Mon-Fri 9:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday by appointment only
Closed Sunday

 

Services

  • Showroom
  • Owner Services
  • Experience
  • Parts Store
  • Additional Services

SLSHOP

  • We Are SLSHOP
  • COVID-19 Information
  • Visit or Contact
  • Terms
    • Part Sales Terms
    • Car Sales Terms
    • CARE TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • UK Event & Experiences TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • Hire Terms
    • Gift Voucher Terms
  • Privacy & Cookie Policy

Connect

Join the SLSHOP family. We know you won’t want to miss out.