Mercedes 350SL proves reliable, fun collector vehicle

by Sam Barer

Can anything about Mercedes be written that hasn’t already been published numerous times over the last hundred years? Still creating world-class luxury cars, Mercedes is all about catering to the wealthy.

So has anyone ever called a Mercedes a great “entry-level classic?” Probably not, but I will.

I’m not talking about a seven-figure coachbuilt 540K, nor a comparatively bargain basement (quarter-million-dollar) 300SL ragtop or gullwing coupe. A best bet beginner classic now is a 1970s SL series, such as Chris Fitzgerald’s featured 1972 350SL roadster.

There are more affordable collector cars out there, but few offer the prestige, quality and touring ability of a Mercedes SL. Despite high costs for parts and service, a well-maintained Mercedes is reliable as death and taxes. Desirable 230SL, 250SL and 280SL examples are available for just below $20,000, but values are trending down. On the other hand, for under ten grand, you can pick-up a true dream-car in a 350SL or later 450SL that will run strong and only increase in value over the coming years.

When Mercedes’ third generation two-seat roadster was released in America as the 1972 350SL, one wouldn’t have figured the design would last with minimal changes until 1989. Road and Track wrote “The bulbous sides of the new 350SL don’t please us…and adds to an Americanized, anti-agile appearance.” At 3670 pounds, the 350SL was heavier and significantly less sporty in looks and feel than the 280SL it replaced. Consumers and critics quickly warmed to 350SL’s additional luxury and safety, as well as its dual personality of smooth, comfortable, quiet grand touring in the winter and wind-in-your-hair top-down high-speed cruising capabilities in warm weather.

To deal with the extra weight, Mercedes retired its six-cylinder mill for a stronger V8. While European market cars received the 3.5-liter V8 (hence the 350SL name,) American-bound vehicles received a 4.5-liter engine tuned for better emissions, but the same 230 horsepower. Both fuel injected, either engine enabled 10-second dashes to 60MPH and a 130MPH top speed.

In 1998 Fitzgerald and his wife, Meg Diaz, were determined to buy a fun older roadster to enjoy during the Pacific Northwest summers. Fitzgerald, a Microsoft program manager, saw this 350SL advertised on the employee Web site and decided to pursue it. Records showed it had been seldom used, but religiously serviced, including a recent full engine rebuild. Seeing receipts for much of the more expensive maintenance, Fitzgerald purchased it.

Arriving at Fitzgerald’s Seattle home, I see the dollar-bill green vehicle ready and waiting on the street, wearing its standard-equipment matching hardtop. While similar to later models, such as the 560SL of the late 80s, minor detail differentiators, including stylish original wheel covers, give the 350SL a vintage look that increases its appeal in the collector market.

The interior is first-class for 1972. The leather buckets seats are supportive for drivers of all sizes, and controls fall perfectly to the hand. Instrumentation is perfect with three circular housings – speedometer in the center, tach to the right and to the left the tri-function oil, fuel and temperature gauge. The original AM/FM radio sits in the center console with controls for the standard air conditioning.

A quick rotation of the key is all it takes for the V8 to come to life. It immediately falls into an elegant, soft idle. I put the selector of the three-speed automatic into drive and give some throttle. The Mercedes pulls away with little drama.

The car doesn’t feel quick, but the power from the sultry and smooth V8 is extremely deceptive. Fitzgerald notes that the car seems to have two speeds: 40MPH and 80MPH, which are frequently the car’s velocities when an inattentive driver intends to be traveling 25MPH or 60MPH. Noise isolation is fantastic and the suspension gobbles road abnormalities like a bulimic on an ice cream binge.

For a roadster outweighing most muscle cars, it actually handles exceptionally. The oversteer-prone swing axle design used throughout previous SL production was thankfully ditched for semi-trailing arms allowing for more predictable cornering. Despite being a tad numb and a little too slowly geared for low speeds, steering is perfectly weighted and enables the driver to be precise at high speeds.

Now with two small children, the two-seater spends most of its time in the garage, getting used sporadically on days warm enough for the roadster to go topless. But unlike typical horror stories about first classics, Fitzgerald knows the Mercedes has been a perfect starter collector vehicle, providing years of low-cost, trouble-free cruising in style.

Sam Barer writes for Apex, an Olympia, WA based freelance writing company. To submit a car for a future “Sound Classics” story, email soundclassics@apexstrategy.com

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