Mercedes Benz 107 Roadster Specs Page

1972-1989 Model (107) 280/300/350/380/420/450/500/560 SL's & SLC's W107

VIN Decoder
So what do all those numbers and letters mean ? Find out where your Mercedes was made, factory name and a lot more. Currently works with 17 digit US and German VIN numbers. Some Euro-spec cars lack a year code making their VIN 16 digits. If so, just add an "X" before the 10th digit. Note that this might give you a wrong production year. Add WDB to the beginning of 14 digit older SL vin #'s to get some info.

What Model is your car?

Mercedes 107 Reference Chassis
Model	Years	Chassis #	Engine #
280SL	72-80	107.042	110.982 / 6
280SLC	77-80	107.022	110.982 / 6
350SL	71-73	107.043	116.982 / 4
350SLC	71-73	107.023	116.982 / 4
380SL	81-82	107.045	116.960
380SL	83-85	107.045	116.962
380SLC	81	107.025	116.960
450SL	73-75	107.044	117.982
450SL	76-80	107.044	117.985
450SLC	73-75	107.024	117.982
450SLC	76-80	107.024	117.985
500SL	81-85	107.046	117.960 / 2
560SL	86-89	107.048	117.967

Good question! Read this page to understand the mystery of Mercedes Chassis and Engine numbers.

The first thing you need to know is that since 1959 all Mercedes-Benz Chassis and engine

numbers have had 12 digits in the following sequence: 123 456 78 901234

Go and find your chassis and engine number and read on ...

Haven't been able to find them? Here are some clues:

- If you have the cars original books you should have the Data Card with this info.
- The chassis number should be on a small plate in front of the radiator and stamped into the body some where.
- V8's have the engine number in the block behind the l/h head.
- Early six cylinders have the number in the block below the 5th and 6th spark plug.

Chassis numbers...

The first three numbers on your chassis number are the most important. Ignore any letters! (ie: 123) These three number tell us the body style. In many cases this is all the info we need.

Engine numbers...

Engine numbers since 1959 have followed much the same pattern as the chassis numbers.

The first three numbers identify the type of engine. For example the M180 is a type of engine. But once again you will need more info to tell what it is!

The next three numbers tell you what version it is.

R107 The R stand for Roadster.

	1972 350SL 4.5	1982 380SL	1986 560SL
Curb Weight (lb)	3670	3495	3670
Wheelbase (in)	96.9	96.9	96.7
Track, f/r (in)	57.2/56.7	57.2/56.7	57.6/57.7
Length (in)	172.1	182.3	180.3
Width (in)	70.5	70.5	70.5
Height (in)	51.2	50.8	50.8
Engine type	sohc V-8	sohc V-8	sohc V-8
Bore x stroke (mm)	92.0 x 85.0	88.0 x 78.9	96.5 x 94.8
Displacement (cc)	4520	3839	5547
Bhp	230 @ 5000 rpm	155 @ 4750 rpm	227 @ 4750 rpm
Torque, lb-ft	279 @ 3200 rpm	196 @ 2750 rpm	279 @ 3250 rpm
Transmission	3-sp A	4-sp A	4-sp A
Suspension, f/r	ind/ind	ind/ind	ind/ind
Brake, f/r	discs/discs	discs/discs	discs/discs
Steering type	recirculating ball	recirculating ball	recirculating ball
0-60 mph, sec	10.5	11.5	7.5
Standing 1/4 miles, sec	17.9	18.6	15.8
Avg fuel use, mpg	15.2	17.5	15.0
Road Test Date	10/71	1/82	3/85

Index of Production

280SL Roadster 1971-85

The W107-042 chassis 280SL Roadster with the M110-982 motor was made between 1971 and 1976 (D-Jet inj.).

The W107-042 chassis 280SL Roadster with the M110-986 motor was made between 1976 and 1979 (K-Jet inj.).

The W107-042 chassis 280SL Roadster with the M110-990 motor was made between 1979 and 1985 (K-Jet inj.).

300SL Roadster 1985-89

The W107-041 chassis 300SL Roadster with the M103-982 motor was made between 1985 and 1989.

350SL Roadster 1971-80

The W107-043 chassis 350SL Roadster with the M116-984 motor was made between 1971 and 1976 (D-Jet inj.).

The W107-043 chassis 350SL Roadster with the M116-984 motor was made between 1976 and 1980 (K-Jet inj.).

380SL Roadster 1981-85

The W107-045 chassis 380SL Roadster with the M116-960 motor was made in 1981.

The W107-045 chassis 380SL Roadster with the M116-962 motor was made between 1982 and 1985.

350/450SL Roadster 1972-80

The W107-044 chassis 350/450SL Roadster with the M117-982 motor was made between 1972 and 1975 (EFI 4.5 liter, US badged 350 in 1972).

The W107-044 chassis 450SL Roadster with the M117-985 motor was made between 1976 and 1980 (CIS 4.5 liter).

420SL Roadster 1985-89

The W107-047 chassis 420SL Roadster with the M116-964 motor was made between 1985 and 1989.

500SL Roadster 1980-89

The W107-046 chassis 500SL Roadster with the M117-960 motor was made between 1980 and 1981 (Early go hard version).

The W107-046 chassis 500SL Roadster with the M117-962 motor was made between 1982 and 1985 (Later not so good version.).

The W107-046 chassis 500SL Roadster with the M117-964 motor was made between 1985 and 1989 (Even later ke injection.).

560SL Roadster 1986-89

The W107-048 chassis 560SL Roadster with the M117-967 motor was made between 1986 and 1989.

Production Numbers

Mercedes SL 107 Production					Mercedes SLC 107 Production
Model	Years	Chassis #	Engine #HP	Produced	Model	Years	Chassis #	Engine #HP	Produced
280SL	1974-85	107042	I6, 177-185 hp	25,436	280SLC	1974-81	107022	I6, 177-185 hp	10,666
300SL	1985-89	107041	I6, 180-188 hp	13,742	350SLC	1972-80	107023	V8	13,925
350SL	1971-80	107043	V8, 230hp	15,304	380SLC	1980-81	107025	V8	3,789
380SL	1980-85	107045	V8, 155hp	53,200	450SLC	1972-80	107024	V8	31,739
420SL	1985-89	107047	V8, 204-218hp	2,148	500SLC	1980-81	107026	V8	2,769
450SL	1973-80	107044	V8, 230-160hp	66,298	<< Underlined SL Figures are European Models
500SL	1980-89	107046	V8, 240 -245 hp	11,812	European models have thinner bumpers, square headlights, manual climate controls & were available with manual transmission. Index of production
560SL	1985-89	107048	V8, 227hp	49,347
TOTAL SL PRODUCTION 237,287					TOTAL SLC PRODUCTION 62,888

The 107 Chassis European & US Models

The 280 SL of early 1971 was the last of the 113 cars. Next came the W 107 chassis, sometimes referred to as "R 107" for "Reihe" (series). The US models built on the 107 chassis were the 350 SL, 380 SL, 450 SL, and the 560 SL. (One of the European models of the 107 family was a "280 SL". This should not be confused with 280 SL of the earlier 113 chassis.)

The 107 chassis had the longest run of any Mercedes chassis, 18 years from 1971 to 1989. Some 237,000 107 chassis SL's were built. About two thirds were sold in the US.

Some writers and reviewers have commented that while the 107 engines were larger (3.8 and 4.5 liters compared to 2.8 liters of the last 113 cars), performance was not much improved because of the heavier weight and the US mandated emission fittings.

Production of the first R107 car, the 350 SL, started in November 1970 alongside the last of the W 113 cars. An interesting sidelight is that when the first 350's were exported to the US, because of the strict horsepower robbing emission requirements, the US 350's were shipped with low compression 4.5 liter engines. A Mercedes Benz service person said that when these cars came in for service, his shop replaced 350 SL model badges with 450 SL badges.

The front and rear bumpers each grew out about 8 inches after 1973 to comply with US safety regulations. Some regard the original shorter bumpers as giving a better look to the car.

The list of post 1985 enhancements

1. The springs have a different spring rate, front and rear.
2. The front stabilizer bar has a 26mm diameter instead of 25mm diameter.
3. The shock absorbers are shorter and have a harder rate.
4. An additional polyurethane bottoming spring has been added.
5. Some model 124 front end parts are used on the front end - the following parts are redesigned:
Front axle carrier, lower and upper control arms, Steering knuckle, Steering knuckle arm, front wheel hub with bearing. The front axle carrier has a newly modified contour, can be used on older model 107s.
6. Limited slip differential
7. The rear axle carrier mount has been offset by 124mm to the left.
8. The rear carrier front rubber mounts are not interchangeable, marked with L and R, have different stiffnesses.
9. The rear axle center is now elastically mounted to the rear carrier both at the front and rear mounts.
10. The rear axle shafts are provided with CV joints similar to model 126 coupe.
11. New light alloy wheels similar to model 201, new mounting screws.
12. New propeller shaft center mount, similar to model 124, not interchangeable with older 107s.
13. Four piston brake calipers on front.
14. Light alloy Master cylinder.
15. Double diaphragm brake booster.
16 Redesigned steering gear, designation 765.707 (LS80), NOT interchangeable with old unit, reduced travel for redesigned front end. Code letter R stamped into the housing. (The 560's turning circle is not as short as previous cars, less "sensitive" steering.)
17. Power steering pump relief pressure changed to 82 +-5 bar.
18. Sheet metal floor under fuel tank changed, mounting positions of tank and filler neck changed.
19. Outside Temperature indicator changed from Celsius to Fahrenheit.
20. Exterior lamp failure indicator added.
21. Fuses and electrical feeds changed.
22. BODY SHEET METAL CHANGES:
Radiator mount changed, hood changed, firewall changed, side-member connecting point front right changed, A-pillars changed, doors changed, B-pillars changed, main floor changed, rear floor changed, cross-member under the driver seat changed, sheet metal shrouds changed, various stiffeners and small parts changed.
23. Door handles changed, similar to model 126.
24. Door lock and striker changed.
25. Central locking system changed, electric vacuum pump similar to models 126 and 201.
26. Fuel tank flap actuating element and guide bushing changed.
27. Outside heated rear view mirrors.
28. Rear high mounted stop lamp added.
29. New Grand Prix radio - larger display indicator with tone setting and more sensitivity - three levels, but returns to least sensitive when turned off.
30. Front bumper and spoiler.
31. Front bumper inner fender liners added.
32. Front seats changed to include lateral support similar to model 124.
33. Hood- a depression was added to the hood reinforcement to clear new brake booster, previous hood will not fit on car.

Mercedes Paint Codes

Code	*Color ( = metallic)**
019	designo red* (crimson metallic*)
040	black (schwarz)
050	white (weiss)
122	pearl grey (perlmattgrau)*
124	arabian grey (arabergrau)
125	pearl grey (perlgrau)
131	pastellweiss
140	silver grey (silbergrau)
143	fern white
147	arctic white (arcticweiss)
149	polar white (polarweiss)
153	snow white (schneeweiss), glacier white
157	beige grey (beigegrau)
158	white grey (weissgrau)
160	tropic black*
162	blue grey (blaugrau)
164	dark grey (dunkelgrau)
166	blue grey (blaugrau)
169	light stone grey (steingrau hell)
171	stone grey (steingrau)
172	anthracite grey (anthrazitgrau)*
173	anthracite grey (anthrazitgrau)
178	medium grey (mittelgrau)*
180	silver grey (silbergrau)*
181	light beige (hellbeige)
185	melanite black*
186	cement grey (zementgrau)
189	greenish-black (emerald black) (black opal) (smaragdsschwarz)*
190	graphite grey (graphitgrau)
195	meteor grey (meteorgrau)*
197	obsidian black*
199	black pearl (blue-black) (blauschwarz)*
218	lindgrün
221	dark green (dunkelgrün)
226	moss green (moosgrün)
229	medium green (mittelgrün)
231	perlmutter grün
249	spruce green (malachite) (malachit)*
254	pine green*
256	crystal green*
259	forest green (waldgrün)
260	oasis green (oasengrün)
261	willow green*
268	dark green (dunkelgrün) blaugrün?
269	tourmaline green (turmalingrün)*
270	blue green (blaugrün)
272	amazon green (amazonitgrün)*
274	light green (hellgrün)*
278	tundra green (tundragrün)
279	vivianite green (vivianitgrün)*
282	jungle green (dschungelgrün)*
291	dark olive (dunkeloliv)
304	horizon blue (horizontblau)
312	labrador blue
317	grey blue (graublau)
320	blue (blau)
332	dark blue (dunkelblau)
334	light blue (hellblau)
335	mercedesblau
339	violane (violan)*
341	aquamarine blue (aquamarinblau)*
348	ice blue (pearl blue) (perlblau)*
350	medium blue (mittelblau)
353	light blue (hellblau), teallite blue
3538	chassisrot
355	diamond blue (diamintblau)*
356	light blue (hellblau)
359	tanzanite blue (tansanitblau)
366	azurite blue (azuritblue)*
375	atoll blue*
380	delphinblau
381	violet (floraviolett)
387	blue (blau)*
396	medium blue (mittelblau)*
404	milan brown (milanbraun)*
406	cayenne orange (cayenneorange)
408	havana brown (havannabraun)
409	dark brown (dunkelbraun)
4100	cement grey (zementgrau)
412	beige
419	ikonengold*
4200	light blue (hellblau)
422	byzanzgold*
423	dark tobacco brown (tabakbraun dunkel)
424	topaz brown (topasbraun)
427	russet brown
430	autumn beige (herbstbeige)
432	havana brown* (also bisonbraun?)
439	cream (creme)
441	desert taupe (impala brown) (hellbeige)*
442	deer brown (rehbraun)
444	sand beige
459	maroon brown
460	dark red brown (dunkelrotbraun)
461	bronze brown (broncebraun)*
462	beige*
463	copper (kupfer)*
467	sandbeige*
470	coloradobeige
473	champagne (champagnermetallic)*
475	nutria*
476	golden brown
479	walnut brown (also moorbraun?)
480	manganese brown*
481	blackberry (bornite) (bornit)*
482	apricot orange
483	volcanic red (vulcanrot)*
485	rosewood (rosenholz)*
501	orient red
504	english red (englischrot)
512	garnet red (almadine red) (almandinrot)*
513	bordeau red (bordeauxrot)
514	carnelian (agate) red (karneolrot)
516	medium red (mittelrot)
519	red, light red (rot)
525	brilliant red (brillantrot)*
526	mercedes red (mercedesrot)
5328	standard blue (standardblau)
534	fire red (feuerrot)
538	red brown (rotbraun)
540	desert red (barolo red) (barolorot)
542	dark red (dunkelrot)
543	strawberry red (erdbeerrot)
567	maroon (lasurrot)* (also titanite red, titanitrot)*
568	signal red (signalrot) (hellrot)
571	brilliant red (rot)*
572	ruby red (rubin)*
573	dark bordeau red (dunkelbordeauxrot)
574	spindelrot
576	red (rot)
581	inca red*
582	imperial red (imperialrot)
585	mesa red
587	cabernet red (pajettrot)*
589	jupiter red
594	ember red (glutrot)
597	saturn red*
606	maple yellow (ahorngelb)
608	ivory (elfenbein)
618	mimosa yellow (mimosangelb)
620	light ivory (hellelfenbein)
623	light ivory (hellelfinbein)
6277	standard green (standardgrün)
6285	pine green (fichtengrün)
6286	unimog green (unimog-grün)
630	corn yellow (maisgelb)
651	pueblo beige
658	ivory (elfenbein)
670	light ivory (hellelfenbein)
673	sahara yellow (saharagelb)
680	sun yellow
681	manila beige (also weizengelb?)
684	pastel beige
690	light ochre
691	light yellow (lichtgelb)
693	travertine beige*
696	night black
702	smoke silver (rauchsilber)*
706	moonlight silver (mondsilber)*
716	grey beige (graubeige)
717	papyrus white (papyrosweiss)
7186	pearl grey (perlgrau)
7187	standard grey (standardgrau)
721	onyx grey (onyxgrau)*
723	cubanite silver (cubanitsilber)*
726	beige grey (beigegrau)
728	beige grey (beigegrau)*
733	phantom grey (phantomgrau)
735	astral silver (astralsilber)* (bundt style wheels)
737	classic white (classicweiss)
740	pastel grey (pastellgrau)
744	brilliant silver (brillantsilber)* (claimed to be close to new wheels)
745	crystal silver*
747	perlite grey*
748	comet grey*
751	ascot grey (liasgrau)
752	carrara grey
753	(tektitgrau)
761	polar silver*
791	dune gold*
801	mangrove green*
803	moss green
815	agate green (achatgrün)
816	agate green, andradite green
822	forest green
824	sea green (seegrün)
825	deep green (tiefgrün)
834	moss green (moosgrün)*
858	mesa red?????
860	green (grün)
861	silver green (silbergrün)*
862	pine green (piniengrün)*
867	kaledoniengrün
870	nickelgrün
874	citrus green (citrusgrün)*
875	mango green
876	cypress green (zypressengrün)*
877	blue green (also petrol?)*
880	cactus green (agavengrün)
881	thistle green* (also silberdistel?)
888	teal blue (beryl) (beryll)*
891	alexandrite green (alexandritgrün)*
900	deep blue (surfblau)
903	blue (blau)
904	midnight blue (dark blue) (dunkelblau)
906	grey blue (graublau)*
917	aqua (aquablau)
920	deep blue (tiefblau)
922	pastel blue (pastellblau)
929	nautical blue (nautikblau)*
930	silver blue*
931	magnetite blue (magnetitblau)*
932	lapis blue (lapisblau)*
933	deep-sea blue (tiefseeblau)*
934	china blue (chinablau)
940	marine blue
941	(aragonitblau)
945	lapis blue (lapisblau)
949	cascade blue (kaskadenblau)
958	reef blue*
960	light ochre????? also alabaster white?

The author of this page assumes no liability based on information contained herein - zip, zilch, nada.

What Model is your car?

European models have thinner bumpers, square

headlights, manual climate controls & were available

with manual transmission. Index of production

The 107 Chassis European & US Models