The Iconic Mercedes R107 Gets Hit With The Restomod Hammer

Modified classic cars come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from the mighty-mouse Rocketeer MX-5 Miata to the Eccentrica V12 Diablo. Hardly any corner of the automotive world has been left untouched by the restomod craze, and as of today, that now includes the Mercedes-Benz SL, specifically the long-running R107 generation sold from 1972 to 1989. The Pogea Classics PROJECT 107 started life as a U.S.-spec 1979 Mercedes-Benz 450 SL, but now, it’s got a brawny AMG powertrain beating under its modernized exterior.

Messing With Long-Running Success

If a design lasts more than 17 years on the market without any major alterations, one would probably consider it good enough. Pogea Classics seems to feel the same way, as its PROJECT 107 sports the original SL’s styling almost unaltered. Changes include clear front corner lights and updated headlamps that replace the U.S.-spec sealed-beam units, but the sheet metal remains stock. The other big cosmetic alteration is a set of 19-inch forged aluminum wheels that don’t suit the car at all – luckily, Pogea will offer a variety of period-appropriate wheel designs should the customer prefer a more classic look.

Starting with mostly carryover bodywork, Pogea Classics gave the donor car a complete paint strip down to bare metal, then dropped the whole car in a cathodic dip coating for an even base layer. On top of that perfectly smooth surface went a coat of Pogea Grey paint, buffed and polished to a flawless, mirror-like finish.

Inside, the R107 SL has seen a few more changes. A fresh set of Recaro Ergomed seats, upholstered in Mercedes-Benz leather with brand-signature perforations, dominates the new look. Pogea Classics also refinished the dashboard with modern AMG wood finishes, while the air vents, climate control knobs, and manual mirror adjusters are done up in CNC-machined aluminum. The steering wheel, shifter, and gauge cluster all come from PROJECT 107’s powertrain donor car, providing a subtle hint as to the power lurking under the hood.

A Classic Thrust Into The 21st Century

That engine is a 5.4-liter V8 sourced from a W203 Mercedes-Benz C55 AMG. Producing 367 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque in stock form, Pogea Classics upped the ante to an even 400 ponies, and the team even added OBD-II and CAN bus compatibility to the SL to ensure it can be easily serviced by any reputable Mercedes repair shop. The C55 AMG also donated its Speedshift five-speed automatic and upsized Brembo brakes, while the suspension is a KW Variant 3 system.

Other concessions to modernity are an app-controled HVAC system from Restomod Air, as well as a new audio system from Italy’s STEG. The entertainment package includes STEG digital sound processing, an active subwoofer, and high-end mid-range speakers for crystal-clear audio. The head unit retains its mid-1970s appearance with a pair of volume and tuning knobs bookending a single-color digital display, all above five preset toggles that look like they snick into place with reassuring simplicity.

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As with any good restomod, Pogea Classics says it can customize its PROJECT 107 to an individual’s tastes, including fitting just about any Mercedes-Benz powerplant up to 2020 or so – given a few wheelbase and track width limitations. We hope that means one could fit the mill from an E53 AMG under the hood, giving the R107 SL something in common with the legendary Gullwing: a direct-injected 3.0-liter inline-six. But even as is, the PROJECT 107 is a pretty interesting take on the restomod trend, looking appropriately sporty without abandoning the solid-feeling design that made the original such a legend. Now, let’s see about ditching the steamroller wheels in favor of some some bundt-style 17s, stat.