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#1
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SL styling change in 80's
When did the SL body style change from the extended bumpers back to the 'closer to the body' style?
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#2
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They had the original euro bumpers in 72 and 73. '74 and later all had the "park bench" style bumpers.
I wasn't aware that they aware went back to the cleaner look. I could be wrong, though, and I'm not really an SL expert. I just spent the night in a Holiday Inn Express.
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Paul S. 2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior. 79,200 miles. 1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron". |
#3
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The "park bench" bumpers disappeared when production of the R107 series finished in 1989. When the R129 came out in 1990 it had plastic color keyed bumpers.
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1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi) 2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi) 2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi) MBCA member |
#4
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I was thinking that the latter eighties bumpers were not as pronounced as the earlier 80's and 70's. Maybe it's just the angle of the photos I've been looking at. I really want one of these but that park bench turns me off. It reminds me of the old MG's. The bumpers made them twice as long.
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#5
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The bumpers have never bothered me. I mean, 11 of the 13 years of the W107 run had the larger bumpers, so it's the only look that people are familiar with.
Plus, you could always buy one and fit the euro bumpers on the car.
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Paul S. 2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior. 79,200 miles. 1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron". |
#6
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Quote:
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#7
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Quote:
Regards, Don
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http://www.benzworld.org/forums/imag...e_steering.gif 1998 C43 ///AMG 1999 C230 Custom 5-Speed Manual |
#8
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What do they look like?
Here are some shots of the euro bumpers.
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Eric, 1983 500 SL Last edited by ericdee; 11-07-2002 at 05:14 PM. |
#9
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YEAH BAAAAY BEEEEE!!
That what I'M talk'in bout!!! There was one on ebay not long ago but it's gone now. Anybody got one for sale??? |
#10
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I actually like the 4 round headlight look. I mean, everything else about the car is all curves, but then it has rectangular headlights. I think the round headlights help add to the "classic" look of the car. Now granted the bumpers could be shortened up a bit.
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1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi) 2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi) 2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi) MBCA member |
#11
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Euro bumpers look fantastic, but offer virtually no protection to the ends of the car in parallel parking situations.
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#12
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Changes to US spec W107 chassis
Here, in it's entirety, is the history of the W107 chassis:
Changes to U.S. Mercedes W107 Roadster from '72-'89 1971 V-8-powered 350SL 4.5 (body style "W107" in Mercedes-Benz nomenclature) introduced to U.S. as a 1972 model. Though introduced in Europe with a 3.5-liter engine, the W107 always carried a less efficient but detoxed 230-bhp, 4.5-liter, Iron-block V-8 here, coupled with a 3-speed automatic. Power-assisted steering, air conditioning, hard and soft-tops were standard. 1973 Name changed in American market to 450SL. 1974 Addition of 5-mph bumper. Horsepower declined to 190 bhp. California version acquired EGR and fuel injection. 1975 Addition of catalytic converters. Horsepower declined to 180 bhp. 1976 Addition of cruise control, transistorized ignition, hydraulic valve adjusters; switch from Bosch electronic to Bosch Jetronic fuel injection. 1977 Catalytic converters moved downstream. Climate-control system (Type 1) introduced. 1980 3-way catalytic converter introduced, final drive ratio reduced. Horsepower declined to 160 bhp, but fuel economy increased. 1981 380SL with 3.8 liter, 155 bhp, all-alloy V-8 (which had a single-row timing chain) and 4-speed automatic transmission introduced to U.S. market. Electric window lifts are standard. 1982 Changed to auto climate control to Type II. 1983 Recalibrated engine and transmission for improved performance and fuel economy. 1984 Switch from single-row to twin-row timing chain. 1985 ABS became standard; driver-side airbag was optional. 1986 560SL with 5.6-litter, 227-bhp all-alloy V-8 and 4-speed transmission into U.S. market. Limited-slip differential, front air dam, leather upholstery, anti-theft alarm are standard. 1989 W107 production ended. ____________________________________________________ Hope this helps. Blitzen |
#13
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US "Euro" bumpers
The pictures Eric posted were true European bumpers - US delivered '72-73 SL's had overriders standard (though they were also referred to as "Euro" bumpers).
Photos of those include my car at http://www.carcentric.com/Ludwig.htm M D "Doc" Nugent Renton, WA |
#14
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I think the larger integrated air dam on the 560SL's just make the bumper look smaller.
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Thanks, Joey '88 560SL Pearl Black/Java 152K '94 E320 Anthracite/Grey 89K Previously: '94 E420 Black/Bamboo '90 300E '71 280SEL 4.5 |
#15
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they're closer on mine...
had my 1987 560SL parked next to a 450SL the other day while at the mechanic's....the front bumper on the 450SL was definitely more extended than the 560SL....should have taken a pic.
course, it could be my bumper shock absorbers are collapsed inwards! no idea on how to check that. hth dom
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D. Chang Network Integration Engineer MCSE, CLP, CCNA |
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