Hi, I’m Arthur. ClassicMerc.com is my site about owning and buying the Mercedes-Benz R107 SL — the long-running roadster built from 1971 to 1989.
Why this site exists
When I went looking for my own R107, I found plenty of sales listings and forum threads, but not enough clear owner guides that answered one question at a time. ClassicMerc is my attempt to fix that. I write about buying checks, rust, engines, fuel injection, maintenance, values and day-to-day ownership from the point of view of someone who keeps an R107 in the Chicago area.
My R107
I bought my R107 after a long search online and through private sellers. The car was in Chicago’s southwest suburbs; I live on the northeast side, so a friend and I brought it home on a U-Haul trailer. At purchase it showed about 116,400 miles. I still keep it as a classic weekend car rather than a daily driver, and I write about the jobs and decisions that come with that.
I don’t invent car details. If a guide needs a photo of a specific model year or a repair I haven’t done myself, I’ll say so, use a clearly labeled diagram, or wait until I have a real photo.
How I write
Articles are written in my voice as Arthur. Specs and procedures are checked against R107 documentation and real owner experience. Where prices or parts change, treat the numbers as a starting point and verify with your mechanic or supplier. Nothing here replaces a pre-purchase inspection on a car you’re about to buy.
Get in touch
Questions, corrections, or a topic you’d like covered: use the Contact page. I’m glad to fix anything that’s wrong.