The Mercedes-Benz R129 SL is a roadster produced by the German premium car-maker in two iterations from 1989. More than 213,000 models were built by the time the last car rolled off the lines in 2001. The R129 replaced the R107 in 1989 and was in its turn replaced by the R230 SL-Class in 2002 for the 2003 new-model year.

The R129 was available as a two-door roadster with an automated fabric convertible roof and a manually detachable hardtop that could be fitted over the stored fabric convertible roof.

Designed in 1984 from an initial shape penned by Johann Tomforde, Mercedes-Benz Italian styling guru Bruno Sacco completed Tomforde’s vision for the R129, which was to be based on the shortened floorpan of the W124.

The new SL-class made its global debut at the 1989 Geneva Motor Show in March of that year and (some say unfairly) was the runner-up behind the Citroen XM for the 1989 European Car of the Year award.

This low-mileage, low-ownership and highly presentable Mercedes-Benz SL 320 rolled off the Bremen assembly line on 27th July, 1995 and received its first UK registration on 18th August, 1995. During the intervening 27 years, the car has been lovingly enjoyed by just three keepers, prior to its acquisition by the current owner – a resident of the Isle of Wight – way back in October, 2006.

The car is currently SORNed and will be sold with a valid MoT to August, 2022. A rummage through online MoT records indicates a PASS for eleven of the past thirteen tests, with two fails being for single-line-entry issues. Interestingly, the same MoT records show that the car has been driven just over 4,000 miles in the past ten years.

Accompanying the sale will be the V5C, the MoT certificate, an owner’s handbook, service maintenance record book, two sets of keys, original radio/cassette instruction manual and key code, together with a file of past paperwork which details spares acquired and maintenance undertaken in recent years.

While not quite in concours condition, the interior of this automotive gem presents in exceptionally good condition, to the extent that the writer frequently had to remind himself that this is a twenty-seven-year-old German classic.

The SL’s original interior reflects its ‘lovingly and lightly used’ condition and promises to be a delightful place in which to spend some immersive, sun-drenched road time.

Specified to a high-end trim grade of the period, the interior furniture is swathed in light cream leather and dust-beige carpet floor coverings and parts of the door cards. The only wood veneers visible in this SL’s very elegant interior are reserved for the centre console and on the door cards that house the electric seat controls and handle. No interior blemishes of any description are in evidence.

Like the cabin, the boot presents in clean and tidy condition. Beneath the boot floor is the full size spare alloy wheel which, oddly, is not a match for those deployed on the car.

Along with the smart and tidy interior, the car’s exterior is equally highly presentable. The original ‘pearl black’ paintwork gleams to a high standard on all panels and the little brightwork evident shines as intended. The front and rear lights are clear and all electrics are said to be in working order and both undersides of the boot lid and bonnet are in excellent condition.

A cursory glance down each flank of the car shows no evidence of damage and the front number plate, bumper and valance – for all their vulnerability – remain in remarkably good condition. 

The front, rear and side sills of the car are blemish-free, as are each of the door under-sills. The condition of the car highlights the love and care afforded the car over the years. Like the interior of this superbly-presented SL, no exterior blemishes of any kind were in evidence.

During the photoshoot, the car was repositioned frequently to obtain the best of the available but declining winter light. The chunky in-line six fired up at the first ask every time and settled into an appreciative burble that only a well-maintained six-pot can make. The gearbox connected smoothly and the drivetrain engaged with no drama, requiring a just gentle rev to get underway.

The custodian reports the car to be very good mechanical condition with steering, brakes, engine, drivetrain and running gear performing as well as their respective and fastidious German engineers intended nearly thirty years ago. 

The engine bay is very tidy and clean and, like the immediately visible parts of this Mercedes-Benz, the underside of the car presents in good order with the degree of natural oxidation that may reasonably be expected on a car of this age and mileage.

At gatherings of car enthusiasts up and down the country, safe money says there will be Merc SL’s present in some guise or another…and there are many good reasons for that. Aside from being many owners pride and joy, exemplary well-cared-for examples like this are increasingly affordable, parts are widely available and relatively inexpensive.

Despite the powerful and torquey straight-six power plant, servicing is straightforward and the driving experience is well judged for a car intended to offer grand touring appeal.

In N377 TOX, we have an extraordinarily healthy example of one of Mercedes’ finest creations as the R129 began to mature during its production life. It presents in exceptional condition inside, outside and under and its new keeper will have a hard act to follow in maintaining the condition of this car.

Notice to bidders