1972 - 1989 Mercedes Benz SLs

Mercedes-Benz played directly to American buyers with the third-generation SLs. Gone were the aluminum panels and any notion of weight saving. German engineers dubbed the super safe R107 "der Panzerwagen" (the armored car), pairing the venerable 2-seater with the 276-ci V8 (230-hp) from the full-size S class. This winning ratio of quality, safety, comfort, and luxury kept the R107 in production for an astounding 18 years. Superb paint and build quality means that well-maintained cars can be expected to continue running reliably for decades.