VIBRANT BUT MENACING, R107 350 SL SPORTLINE RALLY CAR

Forget wide-bodied, slammed seventies saints with flared arches and excessively lowered profiles, we’ve created the undisputed cool of the R107 SL retromod scene. 

Throughout the world there is a selection of manufacturers – small and large – committing themselves to reimagining specific vehicles from the 20th century; some with large investors and others with just their unique set of skills, charisma and energy. SLSHOP falls into the latter. But before we explain how we’ve come to create the undisputed cool of the R107 SL rally scene, let’s take a look at where this 350 SL slots into a world of ever-changing mobility and obsessive engineering… 

WANT NOT NEED 

For many petrolheads, there exists a perennial pressure to pursue the outlandish and lary – think RUF’s Safari Porsche or Singer’s ACS. And while the latter may seem to have been discontinued before even being delivered to those petrolheads with the purses to purchase, the spirit is nonetheless impressive and completely throws any ‘need’ out of the window. The dedication by engineers and craftsmen to perfect such obscene machines is a motive we at SLSHOP subscribe to, if not lead. Where we differ however, is our belief in the sympathetic reincarnation of our beloved automotive gods.  

ALL THE GEAR NO IDEA 

Where the above projects are indeed impressive, there’s something called a little too much refinement. A rally project is supposed to be gritty, not pretty. RUF’s 911 features luggage that would most definitely not stay in situ at high speeds, and quite frankly is unnecessary. If you’re on an expedition such as the Peking to Paris, you’re unlikely to have time to change into your Laurent suit – if you can afford to get one covered in oil then that’s a different matter… What stands is that rally cars are supposed to be lean and mean, and this is where our 350 SL SportLine rally car comes in.  

PROJECT HERTZ 

Regular readers of SLSHOP Journal and subscribers to our YouTube channel with have come across Project Mikkola – this is our first convertible R107 SL rally project built especially for petrolhead duo Phil and Kieron. We’ve named this Project after Hannu Mikkola’s co-driver, Arne Hertz – the pair who won the Bandama Rally, Cote d’Ivoire in their 450 SLC in 1979. Hertz is the most fitting name for an R107 SL inspired by those who took things to the red line in nothing other than a stock R107 SLC.  

Project Hertz started life as a 1973 350 SL – one of the first 20,000 R107 SLs produced and a particularly unique example to be found left on the roads, as it is finished in Icon Gold (419) – a colour that only existed for approximately seven years. Paired with a Bamboo MB Tex (167), this is very much a Saturday Night Fever colour combination – an archetype of seventies swagger fit for the streets of Las Vegas rather than Stuttgart.  

Being an early R107 SL, the character and mechanical makeup made this the perfect starting block for a completely reconfigured aesthetic and mechanical setup – a sympathetic one of course. The early M116 E35 V8 offers a much more raucous soundtrack, mirroring the American muscle cars of the seventies rather than the gliding grand tourers of Europe. The R107 SL wouldn’t express the latter traits until the facelift in 1985.  

A MINDFUL MACHINE 

SLSHOP were approached by an individual with one clear mission – to create a rally-ready R107 SL, but they wanted to do so with an R107 SL they had purchased on Ebay… This vehicle was in no state to be converted into a SportLine Rally car, which led the owner to purchase this Icon Gold 350 SL from our Showroom. A solid starting point with years of documented CARE by SLSHOP in the hands of the former owner.  

The consultation process started by looking at how we could reimagine the R107 SL while retaining its distinctive road presence and charismatic styling. Starting with the exterior, we decided to contrast the Icon Gold (419) with a dark tobacco brown metallic paint finish – this would help it blend into remote areas more. Underneath, new SportLine suspension, uprated brake pads and drilled discs have been fitted; with larger 15″ steel wheels and off-road tires giving the 350 SL a more threatening presence. We’ve also fitted a new stainless steel exhaust system with skid plates, and manufactured a brake line protection plate and quick release kick plate. The owner has elected to keep the engine relatively stock, with no real changes to the injection system, gearbox or crankshaft, with the exception of a motorsport fuel pump. 

In addition, our expert craftsmen created our signature anti-roll cage, engineered carefully behind the seats in order to accommodate the spare wheel stowage. Sparco seats have been fitted, with six-point harnesses for both the passenger and driver. Specialist Craftsmen Marek has also devised a lighting system for map reading at night – a feature we have not incorporated before. What rally car would be complete without the tracking and timing equipment located above the glove box? 

A CLASSIC COLLABORATION 

As you can see, no two SportLine rally projects are the same. We’ve worked with the new owner of this 350 SL to achieve his goals, within their budget and to their timeframe. The process is a continuous flow of creativity and ideas, which always makes these projects special. Why might you ask? Because a SportLine Rally Car is a collaboration between SLSHOP and the petrolheads who WANT to create something that fulfils their dreams and enjoyment, but also preserves the finest machines of the past.  

We’ll be updating this article as the build progresses. The 350 SL is currently undergoing road testing before final cosmetic refinements can be made. Sign up to our Newsletter for updates on the project.