380SL
This 2-seater was available in the U.S. starting 1981, and replaced the 450SL in the lineup. The body style on the ‘SL’ was a convertible. Its engine was an all aluminum 3.8L SOHC EFI V8 making 155hp and 196 ft/lb of torque in U.S. spec’d versions. Transmissions were a choice of either a 4-speed manual or 4-speed automatic.
This Mercedes platform was known as the R107. It carried the same 97 inch wheelbase as the 450SL. Thanks to the aluminum engine that the 450SL did not have, this car came in about a hundred pounds lighter at 3500. It’s fuel mileage was reasonable for the time at around 15mpg.
