London Concours 2025: Discover 70 Years Of Iconic Mercedes-Benz SL Magic

The London Concours 2025, held from June 3rd to 5th at the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) in London, also featured a special showcase celebrating 70 years of the Mercedes-Benz SL. In particular, the display, curated by the Goodwood Road Racing Club, presented ten iconic SL models and therefore highlighted the evolution of this legendary series.

Mercedes-Benz SL: A Legacy of Innovation and Style

Since its inception in 1954, the Mercedes-Benz SL has been synonymous with luxury, performance, and cutting-edge design. The SL, standing for “Super Leicht” or “Super Light,” has continually set benchmarks in the grand touring segment.

The showcase featured the following models, each representing a significant chapter in the SL’s storied history:

1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster

This 300 SL had a starry first owner to match its high-profile status as one of the fastest cars of the day. Actress Anne Jeffreys bought it in April 1957, and kept it until 1980. Her family held on to the car until the end of 1999, when it was brought back to Europe. Its next owner was the Netherlands’ Chris Kruizinga.

He had it restored in silver grey metallic with a blue retrim, before selling it in 2010 to Georg Dengler of Germany. Gerald Davidson acquired the car in 2016, and gave it to Gullwing expert Martin Cushway for sensitive mechanical improvements such as an alternator/generator conversion to a dynator, a multi-blade cooling fan and a stainless-steel exhaust.

The current owner, who acquired the car in 2021, has replaced the gearbox, and now the 300 SL is a regular sight at Goodwood track days. It’s also a regular on European rallies with the German 300 SL Club and the MB Club UK.

2013 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG

The R231 was more than a R230 SL refresh – it was redesigned with more tech and power, and less weight. The SL63 AMG had a hand-built 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 with 530bhp and 59olb ft of torque; the AMG Performance Package took this to 557bhp and 664lb ft.

Sprinting from 0-60mph took around 4.0 seconds, and while the standard car was limited to 155mph, the AMG Performance Package upped this to 186mph. The AMG Speedshift MCT gave quicker shifts than ever, plus multiple drive modes.

Thanks to extensive use of aluminium throughout the body, the R231 SL63 was around 125kg lighter than the previous model. The Active Body Control hydraulic suspension was revised, and lighter forged wheels and carbon-ceramic brakes were an option. The owner has had this particular example since the car was new.

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Developed with F1’s David Coulthard, the SLS boasted the world’s most powerful naturally aspirated engine. It was a sharper, more track-orientated replacement for the SLR, and had signature gullwing doors. Its 6.2-litre hand-built AMG V8 was modified in 120-plus ways over the C63 AMG’s M156.

The SLS could hit 62mph in 3.8 seconds and 196mph, courtesy of 563bhp and 479lb ft of torque. A seven-speed dual-clutch auto sent the power to the road.

This special-order one-off is Night Black Magno, a colour not available on the SLS. Delivered new to Qatar, it has a carbon engine bay and every carbon option possible.

1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing

Mercedes-Benz’s attempt to tap into the US sports car market produced arguably the world’s first supercar. Fuel injection helped its 3.0-litre straight-six make 215bhp and, later on, 240bhp.

Its ‘Super-Leicht’ (SL) tubular spaceframe saw the use of gullwing doors to compensate for the high structural sills, and a weight of just 1295kg. Performance was truly sensational: 160mph and an 8.8-second 0-60mph time. Just 1400 coupés were built from 1954-57.

First acquired in 1988, this car hasn’t been seen in public for 30-plus years. It’s recently received a light recommissioning to return it to the road.

1966 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL ‘Pagoda’

The W113 SL arguably defined how we view the SL today. Introduced in 1963, it offered a more sporting feel than the underpowered 190 SL but without the high cost of the 300 SL.

The mixture of six-cylinder surge, excellent handling and sharp Paul Bracq lines made it an instant hit. While the early 2.3-litre 230 SLs offered revvy sportiness, the car would eventually morph into a comfortable cruiser via the 2.5-litre 250 SL and 2.8-litre 280 SL.

Famous owners ranged from Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss to Charlton Heston, Sophia Loren, John Lennon and Tony Curtis.

1960 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL

The 190 SL offered a 300 SL aesthetic without the price tag. Its 1.9-litre four-pot made 104bhp and would later be used on the W120 and W121, and its floorplan was a shortened version of the W121 saloon’s. Over eight years 25,881 examples were built.

This 190 SL came with a hard-top and was delivered to Denmark. In the 1980s it was sourced by Sherman Oaks Classics in LA and repainted black. The current owner acquired it in 1998, brought it to the UK and set about restoring it alongside Lux Classics. It won Best of Show at the 2010 MB Club SL Day at Sandringham, and has graced many shows since.

2007 Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR 722

To celebrate Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson’s victory on the 1955 Mille Miglia in a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR, the 722 special edition – named for the 300 SLR’s start time – brought a host of upgrades to the SLR. More power (617bhp), lower weight and revised aero meant it could hit o-62mph in 3.6 seconds. A mere 150 were built.

This particular car was ordered in SLR 722-exclusive Crystal Antimony Grey Metallic over a black leather and Alcantara interior. Moreover, it had only two California owners from new. In addition, it was optioned with XL driver and passenger seats, and finally, it currently has 3,200 miles on the clock.

1997 Mercedes-Benz SL500

The R129 SL was a true technical masterpiece when it was launched in 1989, and a huge step forward over its popular R107 predecessor.

Bruno Sacco’s design was clean and elegant, and novel engineering advances included the world’s first fully automatic soft-top (with a removable hard-top). It also had a pop-up roll bar. ABS was standard and adaptive damping worked in real tire, while traction control and electronic stability control were also key safety advances. The 322bhp V8 pushed the SL500 to 60mph in 6.0 seconds and 155mph.

The current owner has enjoyed this example for 18 years, for everything from commuting to family touring in France.

1979 Mercedes-Benz 350 SL

The hugely successful R107 was in production for 18 years. With the W113 Pagoda SL proving very popular Stateside, Mercedes-Benz threw its all into making the R107 even more US-friendly.

This informed the styling, engine choices and emissions focus – and the firm was rewarded by even more success. The 3.5-litre M116 V8-powered 350 SL offered 197bhp and 211lb ft of torque. It came with a four- or five-speed manual or three-ratio auto. It’d make way for the 380 SL in 1980; this 1979 car is one of the last’early era’ R107s built.

The owner found it at the Beaulieu Autojumble. Having been fully restored by a prior owner, it was in such good condition he was unable to walk away.

2004 Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG

Following on from the R129 SL, the R230 had its work cut out. The closer post-2000 integration of AMG into Mercedes-Benz meant the new SL would get the kind of powerful engines unthinkable outside the closed doors of AMG’s bespoke services.

Part of the first-year line-up, the SL55 AMG used a 493bhp 5.4 supercharged V8 that could deliver 516lb ft from as little as 2650rpm.

As standard it was limited to 155mph, but 186mph was available for an extra fee. Maybe even 208mph…

This particular car is unique. It was acquired direct from MB Germany in Porsche Seal Grey Metallic, for an additional €11,000 (£9,484).

If you want to see more London Concours content, head over to our YouTube channel to see our London Concours playlist.

Share Your Thoughts

Which Mercedes-Benz SL model stands out to you? Do you have a favourite memory associated with any of these iconic cars? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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