MERCEDES-BENZ 350SEL/450SL

2-door 2-seater roadster/coupé.

New sporting pedigree of 1971 to take over from 230SL/250SL/280SL family, this time on 97ins wheelbase with S-Class suspension, including new semi trailing arm rear suspension. Bigger and heavier than 280SL, but with much more 'go': up to 133mph from larger-engined car. Removable hardtop still had a touch of 280SL's 'pagoda' roof style. Most sold as graceful sporting rather than outright sports machines. Revamped for eighties, and still with us. Also six-cylinder 280SL from 1974, but not for UK sale until the eighties.