You know the old expression, “All good things must come to an end.” It’s a phrase that must be echoing through Mercedes-Benz hallways as the final current-generation SL-Class rolled off the production line for the final time last week. But the nameplate isn’t gone for good: The German auto maker is preparing to unleash the 2013 SL-Class so it was obvious the current generation’s decade-long run was coming to an end.
The final SL-Class built was a European spec SL 350 doused in Iridium Silver and will come to rest in the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany. The very first model was shown off in 2001 and dressed in SL 500 trim. This was the first of several other versions including customer favorites like the SL 55 and SL 65 AMG models which later morphed into the SL 63 and SL 65 trims.
The SL-Class was assembled at the Mercedes-Benz Bremen facility in Germany, the largest private employer in the region. Benz began building cars in Bremen back in 1978, with the SL-Class operation starting up there in 1989. The SL-Class was first unveiled to the world at the Geneva Auto show in 1989 as well. Over 370,000 SL-Class convertibles began life in Bremen since the facility began piecing the luxury vehicle together over two decades ago.
During its lifespan the SL went under the knife twice with the most recent procedure dropping the circular headlights to make room for the squarish ones seen on the current model. Up next is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, scheduled to have the cloth pulled off it in Detroit next month. As always, more details as we get them.
