Jason Cammisa and Jonny Lieberman take a comprehensive look at the Mercedes-Benz SL. Spanning more than 60 years, the SL has long stood as the best of what Mercedes has to offer. In 1954, the 300SL (better known as the Gullwing) put Mercedes-Benz on America's radar as a builder of sporty, sexy, luxurious, and desirable vehicles.