[tonk560]

I've loved the look of the SL (as seen in America) for years. After lurking on this forum, I was confused by the Euro vs. US headlight argument. I loved the US headlights as it gave the car a distinct (if slightly oddball look).

Then I saw this while in King's Park, Perth, Australia. My jaw literally dropped. How could this be the same car that I owned? Pictures do not do the Euro-spec look justice. This thing looks mean and fast.

Granted the bumpers have a lot to do with it, but I'm amazed the same car can have two entirely different personas.

And my understanding? That I love both looks -- you basically can't go wrong!

 

[cctoronto]

Bingo!

 

[mbslns]

To each his own.
Since you posted pictures that make it easy to spot, I never understood how the aesthetic committee at Mercedes let the designers get by with the mismatched bottom grille/ top bumper lines.
I'm not sure of the fix, but to me it just doesn't look right.

 

[rowdie]

I don't understand who came up with the idea to put an amber lens on an electrical switch box and call it a turn signal on the US model.

 

[mbslns]

Not all US models. Just most of them. My '73 has the integrated style. I'm guessing it's a bumper thing. Couldn't see the other style under the overhang.

 

[rowdie]

Yes and they look great. I have them on my '73 also. I have a spare set off the '72 parts car that are going on the '84 500. You can still buy the lenses with seal if you need to. You can get the housing too but $$$$$.
I think it was 48hp that put them on his 500SL AMG and they look sharp.

 

[RenatoMB]

Here's a pic of my '86 300 SL (European) to compare with a US model

 

[reno4u2]

I don't know...stock looks pretty good to me...

 

[RobTheMod300sd]

The combinations are endless- here's ours:

 

[Djenka018]

One undeniable indicator is that the styling cue was abandoned on W124, W210 and W126.
As much as I like the ROTW look, I must admit that the US spec look of W124/126/201 is interesting, well integrated into the general body styling cue and it deserves all the respects. Same with older models
It must have been the experience of W107 that had them think twice for all subsequent designs.

Blond or Brunete?
W107 US spec or ROTW spec?
It will always be the matter of taste. Not good or bad.

 

[reno4u2]

Blond or Brunete?
W107 US spec or ROTW spec?
It will always be the matter of taste. Not good or bad.

Or Ginger or Mary Ann

 

[roncallo]

I do prefer the US spec lights. But I have to say ericdee has about the nicest looking 107 I've seen at least in pictures.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/1324732-post6.html.

 

[rowdie]

Hmmmm. Height looks just about like Nobby's

 

[roncallo]

Hmmmm. Height looks just about like Nobby's

I just figured it out. Euro bumpers lighter and let the car ride high.

 

[nobby]

This is a great shot.

 

[nobby]

Hmmmm. Height looks just about like Nobby's

Ya think? Not just shadowing?

 

[AlanTbird]

Its VERY easy for me to git up on my (only in America soap box) as the DOT for years would not allow HALOGEN headlights on cars and ruined every import to this country with emission crap and US MADE headlights! Now that I am older and wiser I have decided it was a way to sell headlights and was either something "LOBBIED" on or was union pressure.
Same for the fact that we still put water heaters in new construction with 40 gal of hot water just sitting there instead of tank-less ones that have been used in Europe since the 30s...can you say BOILER UNION? And then there's the household light bulbs that last 1000 hours here and in Europe they last a lifetime!

 

[Skylaw]

I'm with roncallo on the round lights. I like them better in terms of styling - but plan to do what Scott did to get better light output.

 

[mbslns]

Alan, where'd you get your foil hat?

 

[Werner W]

Euro bumpers and US DOT headlights work for me.