Sportline 500
107 500 SL | 0-60 in 5.9 Sec | 255 BHP
Nautic Blue 929 / Cream Leather 275.
Before our 300SL SportLine reached the pages of glossy magazines… Back when it was an unpainted shell and boxes of unfulfilled potential… Deep down, we knew that a V8 SportLine had to be next. But what we didn’t have at the time was the right customer.
Then we met John Smith. John lives in a country with blue skies, open roads and very little traffic. Enviably, he already has a large collection of classic cars, including more than one SL. But when John heard about the SportLine project, he knew that a Mercedes 500 SportLine V8 would be perfectly suited to his lifestyle. After discussing the options with Bruce, the specification was chosen. As a result, the car you see here was born.
Ultimately, the beauty of a SportLine project is that it combines our expertise with the personal taste of the customer. Originally, o 300SL SportLine featured a raft of cosmetic enhancements. But for this build, the customer wanted the outside of the car to retain all the details of a perfect SL.
From a distance, the finished car looks like a factory standard 500SL. But the manual gear knob gives the game away… This is no ordinary 500SL.
Car Specs
Performance
- Lightened and balanced flywheel and crank
- Revised injection system (featuring larger Mercedes-Benz injectors)
- Distribution Pack replacd with modern ignition coil pack for a more precise spark and better throttle response
- Mapped ignition via Omex ECU
- Free-flow performance air filter
- Re-engineered throttle linkage for better pedal response
- Performance camshaft with revised cam profile, tuned for torque
- Ported and polished head for better breathing
- Bespoke stainless steel exhaust system
- Mercedes-Benz 5 speed manual gearbox
The Handling
- Adjustable progressive springs and bespoke dampers, tuned to the weight and feel of the car
- Bespoke anti-roll bar
- Aluminium rear trailing arms with anti-squat links
- Stronger, uprated suspension bushes
- Performance discs, vented and grooved for effective cooling
- Performance brake pads
- Limited-slip differential for improved traction and acceleration
- Full professional geometry set-up
The Interior
- Reprofiled sports steering wheel for greater control and better feel
- Hand stitched dashboard, steering wheel, gear knob and gear lever gaiter
- Interior SportLine badging
- Dash mounted fuel/air mix gauge
- High gloss dark pepper wood finish
- Seat Heating
- Period style Nappa leather with Alcantara centres, pleated and double stitched
- Upgraded Becker Hi-Fi audio system with Bluetooth technology
Sportline 500 Gallery
Own SportLine ZERO
SportLine ZERO: For Everyone
Sportline Driven
It all started with a question: can the iconic R107 Mercedes-Benz SL meet the expectations of modern performance car drivers? After restoring, repairing and maintaining many R107s, we found customers asking the same sort of questions. Can we firm up the ride a little? How can we improve the pedal response? Can we get more power without losing the character of the car? And so, with the keen driver in mind, the SportLine project was launched.
Sportline Parts
But it doesn’t have to stop there. Our large range of upgrade parts will give you a taste of Mercedes SportLine at home. Engine and gearbox upgrades to sports suspension and even cosmetic touches… Ultimately, you don’t have to undergo the full SLSHOP conversion. Now, you can make improvements to the look and feel of your Mercedes SL at home.
We’ve picked out some of our favourites. However, you can view our full range of Mercedes SportLine performance parts in the catalogue below.
Performance anti-roll bars
Reduce pitching and body roll with our up-rated sway bars. With these, you’ll get better stability but remain comfortable. This is thanks to a combination of superior materials, a thicker diameter, and polyurethane bushes.
Adjustable tow and camber kits
One of the biggest benefits to a car’s handling is having it setup and balanced properly. So, our adjustable trail arm bushes allow tow and camber to be altered. Take note that the factory set-up doesn’t include this.
Adjustable coil springs
Stiffer coils with adjustable spring cups offer a more modern feel to the drive of your SL. And it adds stability of lowering the ride height by 70mm or more.
Drilled & Vented brake discs
Whether you prefer city or mountain roads, you want the assurance that your Mercedes SL stops as well as it goes. We’ve got it covered! Try these heavy-duty brake rotors, with the option for performance pads.
7×15” Bundt Alloys
Our dished 15” ‘Mexican Hat’ wheels fill the arch nicely. Also, it retains the classic look. Also unlocking a plethora of compatible tyres, in a very limited market for the now-dated 205/14 size.
Stainless Steel performance exhausts
At SLSHOP, we offer nothing but the best. Our stainless steel exhaust systems have been hand-crafted in the UK, since the days when these cars were new. Also, with the option to turn up the volume if you wish!
Limited Slip Differential
The Mercedes SportLine delivers an increase in BHP of more than 35%. Also, it has improvements in throttle response. That extra oomph needs somewhere to go! So an LSD upgrade is a must-have. This is one of our most popular SportLine upgrades.
Re-profiled steering wheel
Finally, take control our your Mercedes SL with the SportLine steering wheel. A thicker profile, thumb pads, and hand stitching give this old helm a new lease of life. Leather, of course!
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The paint had barely dried on our road going SportLine 300SL prototype before SportLine Racer plans were being hatched.
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Wet, dirty roads, mud, dust and snow… Not exactly the natural habitat of a well preened R107 SL, but for international endurance racing, an SL makes the perfect contender.
Sportline 300
Although the R107 SL was superbly engineered, we always knew the platform was capable of more. Customers were looking to make the car drive, respond and brake in line with modern performance standards. With this in mind, we started the SportLine project.
Experience Sportline
Why not get behind the wheel of our Mercedes
SportLine race car and see how it feels?
