Mercedes-Benz SL 1971–1985 car dimensions: 4390 mm long, 1790 mm wide and 1300 mm high. Unladen weight is 1,500 kg. Braked towing is 1,200 kg.
The cabin is a two-seater luxury roadster layout with high-quality MB-Tex or leather upholstery, wood trim accents and a clear dashboard with large gauges. Heating and ventilation are standard. air conditioning and automatic climate control are available as options depending on year and market. Power windows and cruise control (Tempomat) are common options. Later cars add optional ABS from around 1980 and a driver airbag from 1982. No electronic driver aids beyond basic safety features like collapsible steering column and padded surfaces.
Boot space measures about 250-260 litres with the soft top or hardtop in place. It suits weekend luggage for two. Optional small rear seats take some space if fitted but do not fold to expand cargo.
Braked towing capacity is listed at 1200 kg on early models and up to 1500 kg on later ones, with unbraked at 750 kg. Payload sits around 420 kg. The car is a grand tourer roadster, not set up for heavy work use.
The cabin is a comfortable luxury two-seater with high-quality MB-Tex vinyl or leather upholstery, burr walnut or wood trim and solid switchgear. Seats have head restraints and three-point inertia-reel belts. The dashboard is upholstered and padded with a four-spoke safety steering wheel. Heating and ventilation respond well with door ducts. air conditioning, power windows and cruise control are available. Soft top folds fully away under a cover. removable hardtop is optional.
Petrol engines only, six-cylinder or V8 options.
Fuel tank sited above the rear axle for collision protection.
Three-point inertia-reel seat belts and head restraints standard.
Padded dashboard, collapsible steering column and safety steering wheel standard.
ABS available as option from 1980.
Driver airbag available as option from 1982.
The car runs on petrol with a choice of injected six-cylinder or V8 engines across the generation. Fuel systems changed from D-Jetronic to K-Jetronic to meet emission rules, with later energy-concept updates for better economy.
V8 engines gained breakerless transistor ignition and hydraulic valve-clearance compensation to ease maintenance. The model is highly serviceable with strong parts availability.
Safety design includes crumple zones, reinforced sills and passenger cell, strengthened A-pillars and bonded windscreen for rollover resistance, dirt-repellent lights and wind deflectors for clear vision. Later cars add optional ABS and driver airbag.
Keep the car with regular Mercedes service-station inspections. Corrosion protection improved mid-run. soft top and hardtop need seal care. Timing chains and guides need attention on later V8s.
Length 4390 mm, Width 1790 mm, Height 1300 mm, Wheelbase 2460 mm (SL 1971–1985)
Sources: manufacturer data, auto-data.net, classicandsportscar.com factfile and Wikipedia, vehiclesizes.com and autoevolution.