MERCEDES-BENZ SL FAMILY IDENTIFICATION RECORD
Guide: https://yenra.com/mercedes/
Reviewed: October 10, 2026

Scope: road-car families represented between 1954 and the 2004 anniversary.
An identification aid, not authentication or a parts-selection certificate.
Write observations before choosing a model. Keep full identity numbers private.

OBJECT BEING IDENTIFIED
Photo/file or vehicle reference: _____________________________
Date of observation: ____________  Photographer/source: ______
Original caption (copy without correcting): __________________
Badge text exactly as visible: _______________________________

BODY OBSERVATIONS
Door type and visible openings: ______________________________
Side-window and rear-quarter shape: __________________________
Roof present: fabric / removable hardtop / retractable rigid / unknown
Evidence for roof type, rather than an assumption: ___________
Detached roof separately documented: _________________________
Views still needed: __________________________________________

FAMILY REFERENCE
W198: 300 SL coupe 1954-1957; roadster 1957-1963.
W121: 190 SL 1955-1963, parallel to the W198.
W113: 1963-1971. R107: 1971-1989. R129: 1989-2001.
R230: began 2001; continued beyond this guide's 2004 boundary to 2012.
The W194 racing car and C107 SLC need distinct records.
Source: https://media.mbusa.com/news/sport-luxury-lifestyle-the-mercedes-benz-sl

DATES (do not merge these fields)
Claimed model year and source: _______________________________
Build date and evidence: _____________________________________
First registration date and evidence: ________________________
Photo date and confidence: ___________________________________

DOCUMENTARY CHECK
Chassis identity reference: __________________________________
Factory data card / record and matching details: ______________
Market / body code supported by documents: ___________________
Conflicting badge, caption or date: __________________________

CONCLUSION
Provisional family: ____________ Confirmed / probable / unresolved
Evidence that supports it: ___________________________________
What the evidence does NOT establish: ________________________
Next document or photograph needed: __________________________
Revised on / reason (retain previous assessment): ____________