A few days ago - on the History Channel - there was a documentary on the M-B SL sports cars, beginning with the 300 series (gullwings, etc.) of the 50's and going up through the 70/80's. Very good show and maybe they are still repeating it???? They sell a tape of the same show:
http://store.aetv.com/html/product/index.jhtml?id=40139
Anyway, they made a big deal of how the 230SL of the early 60's was a radical departure from the sports-nature of the 300 series. Too soft, too heavy, too underpowered, etc. By the time they got to the REALLY big/soft cars in 1971 and later, it was all over as far as anything remotely related to 'sports' was concerned. Personally, I love the looks of the 230/280SL and hope to have one in my meager collection some day. Anything later than that though, forget it!! -- Curt