Volume VIII, Number 9/10

The Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster Toy Car Matrix
by Doug Breithaupt


The idea of a toy car matrix of images has been an idea I have considered for some time. If set up correctly, such a matrix can show exactly what toy car models exist at present and allow for new models to be added. To initiate my matrix I have selected the Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster, a car model that has now been produced for 50 years and is well represented in toy car form. Some of these models are shown with hard or soft tops, all which could be removed or lowered on the real roadsters.

Within my collection, no toy car maker has produced more than four of the six major model variations although I expect I am missing some models. Both Yat Ming and Majorette have done more than one example of a specific generation of SL Roadster. Hot Wheels re-issued the Corgi casting (HW version not shown) but also offered an example of their own. few examples of the original 300SL and 190SL roadsters have been produced while the 4th generation SL is the best represented with 11 examples. The bottom row of the matrix has additional collector models from Yat Ming and Majorette.

Please let me know of any models missing from my matrix and send images if you can in the same format as shown below. I suspect that additional Summer models exist and that more recent Hongwell models have been done. Other more obscure models such as the 350SL from Guisval are known but not in my collection. I will continue to update the matrix as more models are identified.

Other models like the SL Roadster would lent themselves to a matrix. The BMW 3 Series, Ferrari V8, Jaguar sedans, Nissan Z-Car and others would lend themselves to a similar review. The wide selection of Corvette, Mustang, Camaro and Firebird models by Johnny Lightning and others would make a matrix for these cars a bit overwhelming. The Porsche 911 poses the same challenge. Let me know what marque/model you would like to see in a future matrix.
MATCHBOX      


SL55 (2004)


500SL (1990)


350SL (1973)


230SL (1966)
SCHUCO - HONGWELL      


560SL


280SL


190SL

  
300SL
SIKU        


SL55 AMG


500SL


280SL

  


300SL

MAISTO    


SL55 AMG


500SL


500SL
YAT MING          


SL55


500SL


350SL

      
CORGI        


500SL


500SL


280SL

    
HOT WHEELS        


SL55 (2003)


500SL (1989)


280SL (1969)

    
WELLY        


SL500

 

 

 


190SL

  
          AURORA VIBRATORS
         
300SL
      PAYA    
     
280SL		    
  PIONEER        
 
500SL		        
  MAJORETTE        
 


500SL


350SL

      
  ZYLMEX        
 


500SL


450SL

      
REALTOY SOMA        


SL55
500SL		        
NOREV PIONEER        


500SL

          
  NOVACAR        
 


500SL

        
  SCHUCO      
 


350SL

      
    ERTL      
   


350SL

      
    PLAYART      
   


350SL

      
  SUMMER      
 
500SL


350SL

    
    CIRCLE U      
   
350SL		      
    TM      
   
350SL		      
      MINI-DINKY    
     


230SL

    
  UNKNOWN   BEST BOX    
 
500SL		  


230SL

    
YAT MING-Road Signature MAJORETTE-Deluxe Ed. PENNY-POLITSIL    


SL55


500SL


230SL

    

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