Timeless' is an overused adjective when it comes to writing about old cars, but the Mercedes-Benz SLs of 1963-'71 are among a select group of vehicles that are truly deserving of it. People who were not even born when this magazine first started writing about W113 SLs in the early 1980s and perhaps have only a passing interest in old cars - instinctively recognise the 230/250/280SLs as objects of desire that transcend fleeting fashion.
Part sports car, part open-topped GT, this was the SL that set the tone for all subsequent Mercedes two-seaters. Fast but not aggressive, luxurious and easy to drive, it was a usefully compact and agile glamour machine that fulfilled the roles of Bond Street cruiser and intercity express with equal aplomb. This is a car that has simply never gone out of fashion with both men and women, but its reputation as the ultimate accessory for a leading lady is well earned. On screen it looked as desirable in supporting roles with Julie Christie (Darling) and Audrey Hepburn (Two for the Road) in its '60s heyday as it did with Helen Mirren behind the wheel in The Long Good Friday, 10 years after the last of almost 50,000 cars was built.
In all its forms, the W113 SL was enough of a driver's car to win the respect of 'serious' motorists (Stirling Moss loved his 250SL), while catching the attention of those wealthy individuals looking for a fun yet prestigious second car: a car that would keep its looks and hold its value long after its more ephemerally exotic '60s rivals had fallen by the wayside.
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Denne historien er fra June 2023-utgaven av Classic & Sports Car.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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RAY HILLIER
Double-chevron oddity proves a break from the norm for this Crewe specialist
SHORT BACK & GLIDES
Eccentric enthusiast Captain RG McLeod's series of Manx-tailed Bentley Specials reached its zenith with this unique S2 Continental.
People's choice
The diminutive but multi-million-selling Fiat 850 packed a remarkable diversity of form and function into its compact footprint
PLASTIC BREAKS FROM THE NORM
Glassfibre revolutionised niche car-body production, but just occasionally strayed into the mainstream.
A SENSIBLE SUPERCAR
The cleverly conceived four-seater Elite secured Lotus a place at the big players' table, but has it been unfairly maligned since then?
"I had a habit of grabbing second place from the jaws of victory"
From dreams of yachting glory to the Le Mans podium, via a stint at the top of the motorsport tree, Howden Ganley had quite the career
Still going strong
Herbert Engineering staked its reputation on the five-year warranty that came with its cars. A century on, this Two Litre hasn't made a claim
One for the kids
General Motors was aiming squarely at the youth market with the launch of the Pontiac GTO 60 years ago, and its runaway success popularised the muscle-car movement
A NEW BREED OF HERO
Launched at the turn of the millennium, the GT3 badge has already earned a place alongside RS, CS and turbo in Porsche lore.
Brits with SIX appeal
The straight-six engine is synonymous with a decades-long legacy of great British sports cars. Six variations on the sextet theme convene for comparison
