The 1990s was a great time to be a Mercedes-Benz fan. The new W140 S-Class hit the market, there was a gorgeous new SL and, even though Mercedes didn’t offer the G-Wagen in the U.S., you could get one imported by a company called Europa. The ’90s was also when Mercedes introduced the SL’s little sibling, the SLK (Sportlich – sporty, Leicht – lightweight, and Kurz – short), which distinguished itself with a retractable hardtop. Our Pick of the Day, a 2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK320 Sport, is even more distinctive because it’s a designo Copper Edition. It’s currently listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Hilton, New York.
When Mercedes introduced the R170 SLK at the 1996 Turin Motor Show, it shouldn’t have come as a surprise. Previously, the company had developed not one but two developmental studies of it.
The first was shown in Turin in 1994; the second, which featured the signature “vario-roof,” was displayed at the Paris Motor Show later that year.
In 2000, a refreshed model arrived featuring updated exterior styling, restyled interior, Speedtronic cruise control, the Electronic Stability Program, standard six-speed manual gearbox, and available 3.2-liter V6 (SLK320) with 215 horsepower and 229 lb-ft of torque.
Typically, you see first-generation SLKs in silver or cranberry red—not this lovely shade of copper from the designo customization program (now known as Manufaktur), which is made all the more noticeable by the silver five-spoke wheels. There’s more copper inside the cabin: on the door panels, leather seats, and piping for the floor mats. Cream gauge dials and dark wood trim on the four-spoke steering wheel and center stack temper all that metallic brightness. Power mirrors and seats, an adjustable steering column, dual-zone climate control, and heated seats match the colors around them with comfort and convenience.
It’s summer, so now is the perfect time to get a convertible. The beauty of a drop-top like this 2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK320 designo Copper Edition (aside from the 59,830 miles on its odometer) is that even when the weather is not convertible-friendly, all you have to do is raise the metal roof and enjoy the quiet and comfort of a coupe. You can make this one-owner, four-season convertible yours for $12,995.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
