Description
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Principal Facts
In the mid-90s, a limited-run model of the R129 SL was announced, commemorating the fortieth anniversary of Mercedes-Benz's milestone Mille Miglia victory. It could be specced with either a straight-six or a V8 and came along with a bunch of extras that made the R129 a touch more special — and unique given that the Mille Miglia edition was produced in limited numbers. If you've been on the lookout for one or are in the market for an R129 SL, you'd be glad to hear that a clean example of the celebratory SL is now available for sale through SLSHOP.
Here's a rare 1995 Mercedes-Benz SL320 Mille Miglia Edition finished in the rather fitting shade of Brilliant Silver. Not only is the car in great shape, but it's also backed by an intricate history file replete with service records, old tax discs, MoT certificates, and even the original invoice of sale. Even with 125k miles on the clock, the special edition has certain visual giveaways to signify its importance. The chequered flag logo on the front wings, EVO II alloys, Brilliant Silver paint, Black/ Red leather interior, carbon fibre on the dashboard, etc.
History File
Registered in 1995, this SL320 Mille Miglia has had three owners from new; the current keeper bought it in 2021. The car is in good, original shape, and that's further complemented by the large bundle of accompanying paperwork. In terms of mileage, it did nearly 100, 000 miles in the first 15 years, after which its use has been limited. Along with the original booklets and the paperwork mentioned above, previous service invoices have also been included to complement the records.
The R129 was on sale for about 12 years and in that period, Mercedes-Benz went on to sell well above 200, 000 examples of the car globally. While that doesn't turn the R129 into a rare car, special editions like the Mille Miglia (brought out twice during the R129's life) weren't just made in small numbers, they offer a lot beyond just rarity.
Condition Synopsis
Given the high level of originality but also regular use, it's only normal to find some wear on the car. Although, as you can see in the photos, that's largely limited to the slight sagging of the seats, a minute dent or two on the bodywork, and wear on some of the switches, knobs and the centre console. The bumpers do have some scuff marks, the paintwork appears to be good but some parts can benefit from a once-over. The boot and the engine bay both look clean, and the cabin still feels like a pretty special place. The EVO II alloys are handsome in isolation, and on the Sacco-designed SL, they work very well, too.
SLSHOP Summary
Mille Miglia was no ordinary form of motorsport, both the driver and the machine were pushed to the absolute limit. Averaging 100 mph on public roads for a thousand miles needs more than just horsepower and trick suspension. And in 1955, a certain Sir Stirling Moss had everything it took to drive the Mercedes-Benz 300SLR to victory in record time. With challenges aplenty, finishing the 1000-mile journey was in itself an uphill task, so you can imagine what this feat meant not just for the race fans, Sir Stirling himself, but also for Mercedes-Benz.
Even if you weren't to consider the reason behind its existence, the special-edition R129 is highly desirable. The spec, the rarity, and to top it all, the fact that it's based on a strong, well-performing car are some of the reasons it deserves to be considered. With detailed history backing its original and very likeable condition, this 1995 example can be a great way to remind yourself of Mercedes-Benz's achievement, even without heading to Brescia or Rome, or indeed trying what in today's world would be a sure-shot way to lose your licence.
