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PRINCIPAL FACTS:

This low mileage, 1996 SL500 with factory ordered AMG Styling Package and alloy wheels was originally ordered by Mercedes-Benz UK Ltd for the UK Director. The options list is extensive, and expensive for the time, this car costing over £102, 000 - nearly 30 years ago. Its second owner held onto it for around 18 years, before changing hands a few more times before reaching the SLSHOP. R129 SLs are chameleons, they can look dignified and refined, or a dark and menacing, this car, thanks to its AMG looks and the dark Green Black Metallic paint, falls into the second category, and we think it looks sensational.

CONDITION SYNOPSIS:

Covering a little over 1000 miles per annum since it arrived at Mercedes-Benz HQ in Milton Keynes it’s little surprise that this SL500 presents in superb condition throughout. The paint is deep and lustrous, the interior showing very little evidence of use, likewise the hood (black) looks like it’s barely been up. It comes with its hardtop, which here is glass. In addition to the AMG bits, and the slight body modifications to accommodate those AMG wheels (highlighted by the little-known option code 774 if you want a talking point) the MB Director also added heated, electrically adjusted seats as well as a six-disc CD changer and a part wood steering wheel. It looks fantastic, and drives beautifully, too, the 5. 0-litre V8 giving it still quick performance, and sounding great, too.

HISTORY FILE:

A comprehensively stamped-up service book, plastic folders with previous MOTs, lots of receipts and even a piece of cardboard with previous tax discs attached is the sort of thing any prospective owner likes to see, and they’ll get all that here. Someone’s even taken the time to take the service sticker out of the official booklet and place it in the door shut. This is a car that’s been looked after, as is evident from its condition and the paperwork supporting that.

SLSHOP SUMMARY:

The R129’s a car that’s certainly finding an ever more enthusiast audience, and rightly so, they’re solidly built, look great and still work brilliantly in the cut and thrust of modern traffic. Fantastic all-rounders, this one benefits from not just being a low mileage, time-warp condition example, but one that has some desirable AMG styling options from new, as well as an interesting back story being an ex-Mercedes-Benz UK Director’s car.