THE GRAND TOUR
It might have cost twice as much as an E-type when new, yet the 350 SL picked up legions of devoted owners. Nick Larkin discovers why this Mercedes is such a charmer
Whoever said that quality will be enjoyed long after the price is forgotten probably needs a good verbal slapping, the moneybags, but if ever there was a car to justify that statement, we are looking at it now.
The R107 Mercedes-Benz 350 SL sits there like a square-jawed, uncompromising army general unwilling to surrender an inch.
The styling is unique, almost a subtle wedge shape, with extraordinary ribbed lower panels. Close the driver’s door after climbing in and it sounds as though you’ve locked yourself in a bank vault.
The driver sits quite low on an extremely comfortable driver’s seat, facing an enormous four-spoke steering wheel. It’s very spacious for a two-seat convertible and everything is beautifully-made, designed, over-engineered and fit for purpose. Try a couple of controls – those that activate the wipers, select the gears, or the sliders for the heating and cooling system, and all seem to have been hewn from something very solid, such is the quality.
The interior is simple yet almost an ergonomic miracle. We have a perfect view through the steering wheel to the array of dials and gauges, all of which – speedometer, rev counter, warning lights, oil pressure, fuel, water temperature, clock – are easy to read.
Turn the key and the 3499cc V8 engine springs into life. No imposing throb, burble or shake engulfs the car – there’s far too much quality metal for that. Instead, there’s a subtle roar from somewhere in the car’s depths, accompanied by a pleasingly purposeful exhaust ‘wuffle’.
The gear selector switches positively into Drive, off goes the parking brake and off we crawl, a gentle touch on the accelerator being all we need to hit 30mph in what feels like no time at all. The car is low-geared, but doesn’t have as much low-down torque as you might have expected; activating sports mode seems to give the car more low-down power without affecting its cosseting ambiance, and both the kickdown and gearchanges are smooth.
The car manages to be fairly stiffly sprung, yet offers a smooth ride that deals well with jittery road surfaces. The suspension – coil and double wishbone at the front, trailing arms at the rear, with anti-roll bars at both ends – is well up to the job. There’s some understeer and a bit of body roll, but absolutely no shuttle shake or dubious noises and handling is good at all speeds.
The power steering is responsive enough (despite the vast steering wheel) and the allround disc brakes – which are vented at the front – are exemplary, and wouldn’t disgrace a modern car.
At last some open roads, and this is where the Mercedes really comes into its own, cosseting the owner at speed and in absolute safety over long distances without any fuss or drama.
And it’s in this situation that you really begin to appreciate this car for what it is – a powerful, comfortable and refined grand tourer, rather than an out-and-out sports car.
You would never think that this was a 40-year-old car and it’s in this situation that you really begin to understand why the 350 SL has long been considered one of the most truly exceptional cars of all time.