The Sound of Silence – Photographing a 1992 300SL and other M-Bs in COVID-deserted San Francisco | MBCA

Roy Spencer

On a recent drive through the eerily quiet streets of San Francisco, deserted during the pandemic, everywhere I went there were cars, but almost no people. The number of Mercedes-Benz automobiles – both vintage beauties and modern masterpieces – parked on the city’s empty streets amazed me. I couldn’t resist taking pictures of this unusual state of affairs.

The Sound of Silence

The hushed streets of San Francisco shelter scores of parked Mercedes-Benzes while waiting for the good days to return.

Article and images – Roy Spencer

I also took advantage of the lack of crowds to visit a normally packed local attraction. Where better to photograph my recently acquired 1992 300SL than on tiny and famous Clarion Alley – a one-block-long back lane in the city’s inner Mission District – with its extravagant murals created by local artists?

This 300SL was bought new in Italy and imported to the United States in 1993. It has a rare five-speed manual transmission. Fewer than 400 manual 300SLs were originally sold in the United States. Good ones are very collectible – this is only the second example I’ve had.

Adding a five-speed gearbox to the refined W129 range gives the SL a true grand touring feel. You can cruise in comfort or use the gearbox to push the car if you wish.

This 300SL carries a soulful Nautical Blue exterior with Royal Blue interior. The combination contrasts nicely with San Francisco’s soft grey cityscape and Clarion Alley’s vivid murals.

A Unique Experience

The entire drive felt unique, unrepeatable, and very dreamlike. It seemed as if I had received a private tour, perfectly tailored to my interest in vintage Mercedes-Benzes, of a city magically emptied of people and traffic. Unforgettable.