canada cars johnny lucas mercedes sl550 600

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As I drove the SL550 past the Kodak Theatre, home of the Academy Awards, both me and the Benz felt that we belonged. Yes, after a few miles of driving I felt close enough to the car that I could understand her emotions and speak for her. The 550 was the bottom of the range tested in these two days, its V8 generates 382 horsepower (at 6000 RPM). In appearance and comfort it so far exceeds anyone’s “requirements” and as I was motoring along Sunset Blvd I could not think why anyone would want more. This year’s price on the SL 550 is $126,000.

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Page 1: Canada cars johnny lucas mercedes sl550 600

by Johnny Luca

A few years ago I was the editor of Driven Magazine, a lifestyle publication that had a large automotive component. In this capacity I was invited on a quick trip to California to test drive four Mercedes-Benz roadsters: SL 550, SL 600, SL 63 AMG and SL 65 AMG.

For the same issue as that story appeared, I send my automotive editor to Monaco to test drive yet another Mercedes product, a new SLK. As the editor, it was my choice who got what trip and this time, I chose the one I wanted. Monaco with one car, or California with four. The SLK is a lovely car, but let’s face it, it is a compromise to practicality. The K stands for “korte” short in German, and it is a smaller and less expensive vehicle. As I was not especially interested in practicalities, I was happy with my decision to go with the big guns.

As I drove the SL550 past the Kodak Theatre, home of the Academy Awards, both me and the Benz felt that we belonged. Yes, after a few miles of driving I felt close enough to the car that I could understand her emotions and speak for her. The 550 was the bottom of the range tested in these two days, its V8 generates 382 horsepower (at 6000 RPM). In appearance and comfort it so far exceeds anyone’s “requirements” and as I was motoring along Sunset Blvd I could not think why anyone would want more. This year’s price on the SL 550 is $126,000.

Somewhere in the hills we changed cars and picked up the SL 600. That baby lists at $176,300. The styling is ever so slightly more aggressive than the SL550, but it is packing a V12 engine that generates 510 hp at 5000 RPM. Most people cannot be trusted with such a powerful car. I cannot be trusted with such a powerful car.

Gearheads will know of want to know all the specs before they judge beautiful objects such as these. What I remember best and loved most at the time was the on-top-of-the-world feeling that it turns out you really

Page 2: Canada cars johnny lucas mercedes sl550 600

can buy. A clear day, the “air scarf” that pumps hot air out of the head rest when the top is down and being in control of a vehicle that quickly responded to my every suggestion.

We stopped for a photo opportunity at an almond orchard that was in bloom. Blue sky, pink blossoms, 12 cylinders under the hood. The most impressive Mercedes-Benz achievement was making all this perfection seem as if it would go on forever. And we had not yet driven the two most powerful cars!