The fourth generation of the SL made its debut in 1989, and was the design work of Bruno Sacco, whose “vertical affinity” approach to car design called for vehicles that wouldn’t be made immediately obsolete by their successors, Partly by retaining styling cues that were traditional for the brand and by offering themes that could be continued into future ones. 

He wanted each generation of SL to stand alone. And the R129 arguably stood higher and more proudly than any other. But it wasn't just the right-first-time styling that made the R129 SL such an impressive car, because under the skin it was also stacked with innovation. 

Safety, for instance, was right at the forefront of its design. For example, the car was the first to have an automatic pop-up rollover bar, which would automatically launch itself in open top mode in less than half a second to protect the occupants if the car was about to overturn. The seats also included several safety innovations including built in seat belt tensioners and side impact protection. 

Back in 1991, when this example first hit the road, it was hugely innovative stuff. This one was the flagship model, too. The 500SL, finished in one of the most iconic colours from the launch pallet, Garnet Red Metallic. 

The vendor of this car acquired it last year from an owner who had had it for many years and kept it garaged. It was loved, cherished and regularly maintained. 

When it left the production line in Stuttgart it was specified with a number of factory options, including a body-coloured steel hardtop, the Designo alloy wheels, height-adjustable suspension and an electrically-adjustable memory rear-view mirror – a clever safety feature that would still be considered innovative today. 

It was acquired by the seller to use as a modern classic whilst finishing the restoration of an older Mercedes-Benz, but he no longer has a need for it so is offering it for sale

There is a substantial file of service history and receipts provided with the 500SL including a number of papers relating to recent work carried out, plus the original handbook, wallet and assorted documents from when the car was first sold. 

It’s a pretty comprehensive record of the 79,677 miles it has covered, backed up by service bills as far back as 2004 and all the MOTs since new, showing an average mileage of just a few hundred per year. Sadly there's no stamped service book.

There is a V5C in the name of the vendor and an MOT valid until May 2022.

Garnet Red is one of the most evocative colour schemes for an R129 SL and really sets off the big car’s chiselled lines – it was used by Mercedes-Benz on the launch cars and is very much one of the best and most popular colours among aficionados. 

This example is in fine order, with a deep and lustrous shine and no discernible damage or imperfections. All of the panels are straight and in fine condition, the wheels are very good save for a few very small kerb marks and it has quality tyres on both axles. At some stage, a previous owner has replaced the original orange indicator lenses with a pair of clear ones from a pre-facelift car, a common modification that is easily reversed should you so desire.

The factory hardtop is in excellent order and is a doddle to remove, and there’s also a black fabric hood, though this has some damage to the rear screen. The main canvas is fine, though. The screen has also gone opaque, so if you intend using it with the hood up then you might want to refurbish it. The car has been used mainly with the hardtop in situ for most of its life.

Indeed, because of a lack of use there is a minor issue with the electric roof mechanism. The roof can be raised or lowered manually, but the electric mechanism appears to have a sticking switch or hydraulic solenoid that prevents it from opening via the button. The motors seem to work and there’s power at the switch, so hopefully it’s nothing major. 

The black leather and matching carpets are very well presented, as you’d expect from a genuine low mileage car. It is a clean and very well cared for example that has evidently been properly looked after by each of its previous owners. It also has the high-ed optional vented leather seats, which offer additional cooling in warm weather. 

The seats are electrically adjustable from switches on the door panels. The seats have a memory function, which also applies to the rear-view mirror. Gimmicky, but brilliant. 

It is in superb original condition. All of the dials and switchgear work as they should, and there are no dashboard lights illuminated. In-car entertainment comes courtesy of an aftermarket radio-cassette with a boot-mounted CD changer unit – a feature that would no doubt have been a very expensive upgrade back in the day.

Under the bonnet, the Mercedes features a 5.0-litre 32-valve V8 which develops 320bhp. It fires up instantly and sounds absolutely amazing. It holds a steady temperature, shows good oil pressure and all of the fluids are at the prescribed levels.

The owner reports that it drives really well, with no known faults, and that the steering, brakes and suspension are all in good order.

This is a lovely example of an early classic R129 SL - a Mercedes-Benz model that is rapidly appreciating in both following and value. It has been extremely well looked after throughout its life and is superbly well-presented. 

While the next owner will no doubt want to investigate the soft-top issue, it is nevertheless a great car in the best colour, and with a fabulous interior. And if that’s not enough to convince you, there’s always that glorious V8…