• 5.0 litre engine
• Original condition
• Low mileage
• 1 previous keeper
• A usable classic

Launched in 1989 at the Geneva Motor Show, the Mercedes-Benz R129 was based on a shortened floorpan of the W124. The SL featured some innovative designs for the time, including the hidden away roll over bar and the optional Adaptive Damping System to some later models, making it one of the safest vehicles made at the time.

The engine in the 500SL was the Mercedes-Benz M119 5.0 litre V8, which produces 322 bhp at 5,200 rpm. Giving you the best of both worlds at the time was a removable hard top, which could be left off in the summer months, leaving the electric fabric roof for a convenient roof drop at the lights with a touch of a button. This can then be left down and the hard top refitted if you wished.

In 1994, the 500SL became known as the SL 500, after the model numbers were re- designated across the range.

The seller of this beautiful 1 previous keeper, 1991 Mercedes-Benz 500SL, purchased the vehicle in March 2021. He wanted a vehicle to enjoy and use throughout the summer months for some planned holidays, such as Devon, Northumberland and the Scottish Borders and finally Cornwall. Wanting something with some luxury and power whilst being able to take the roof off and enjoy the weather, the grand tourer 500SL made perfect sense.

Upon getting the car, even though the SL came with a full service history, the seller has had it thoroughly checked over by his local specialist, with any issues needing to be addressed taken care of. This included a full service to the engine and gearbox and re-gassing of the air conditioning system.

There was a very small weep on the steering box which was noted as an MOT advisory in 2020. This has been taken care of with a reconditioned unit fitted and followed by a full tracking setup.

The V5 is present and shows 1 previous UK keeper. The 500SL was registered on the 17th April 1991.

The 500SL comes with an extensive history file for any work carried out, and a fully stamped service book to back this up. The handbooks are present along with the radio instructions, wallet, spare keys and alarm key-fob.

There is a valid MOT on the Mercedes which expires on the 3rd October 2022.

Inside the Mercedes is finished with beige leather giving a nice contrast to the Beryl Blue exterior. The electric memory seats are in excellent condition for the age of the vehicle and show very little signs of any wear. Sitting in the driver's seat, the steering wheel shows no signs of wear and the dashboard is free from any damage, splits or cracks.

The instrument cluster is working as it should with no warning lights displayed, and the odometer has a reading of 74,494 miles. Moving to the middle of the dashboard, the storage compartment to the centre opens and closes as it should, and just below, the heater controls show no signs of wear.

A nice sign of the originality of the car is that it still retains the factory fitted Blaupunkt stereo. On the electric side of things, the windows, central locking and the electric roof are all working as they should.

The carpets are in excellent order. Being fitted with Mercedes mats has ensured that everything is nice and clean with no excessive wear, including to the driver’s mat. The headlining for the soft top is in a nice clean condition, with no issues, and the same can be said for the hard top which is also excellent.

Into the boot area and, as you would expect looking at the rest of the vehicle, this is also very clean, with the original warning triangle and first aid kit present. Lifting up the carpet reveals the spare wheel and jack.

The exterior of the Beryl Blue 500SL is in excellent condition and is believed to be the original paintwork. Starting at the front, there are no real stone chips to mention other than an odd couple of age related ones, which is to be expected. The bumper is free from any scuffs and the bonnet aligns nicely with the wing rails. Moving up, the windscreen is in good order, with no obvious chips or scratches.

Around to the sides, and looking down the flanks of the 90’s classic there are no dings or dents to be seen, and the door shut lines look to be uniform to both sides. The door mirrors, door handles and trim around the windows are all in good condition with no areas of concern. In general the paintwork is excellent with just an odd couple of age related marks, but from the overall appearance, it is clear to see that the car has been well cared for over the years by the one previous keeper.

The soft top roof is in excellent condition and the car looks to have been mainly being used with the hardtop on over the years, which is also in an unmarked condition. This comes complete with the stand. The seller has also had the rear windows in the soft top replaced in December 2021, so these are in excellent condition.

The rear is in the same condition. There is a small scuff on the driver’s side corner of the bumper, and there is a small dent in the black trim just below the badge. The lights are free from any chips or splits, and the badges have a bright finish to them.

The wheels have been refurbished by the previous keeper in silver and a diamond cut finish to the edge of the rim. These have no chips or corrosion to mention, and the tyres have a good amount of tread remaining.

This 5.0 litre V8 in the R129 is a glorious engine which sounds fantastic as it fires up with the first turn of the key. The 5.0 litre comes to a smooth, almost silent idle, but listen carefully and you can hear the V8 purring away.

With just 74,494 miles, the Mercedes has been extremely well maintained, with an up to date service book to back this up, boasting stamps from Mercedes-Benz up until 2005, and then from BG Motor Services until 2020, carried on by Autotecnic in 2021. The most recent service was in March/April, and then in June, as already mentioned, the steering box was replaced.

The seller reports the SL is an absolute pleasure to drive. He has enjoyed two holidays up to Scotland and down to Cornwall, and the grand tourer made for an effortless drive. Being an earlier SL, the suspension is the more conventional type before any electronics got involved, and this is all reported to be as it should, with no noises coming from either end of the car.

The gearbox is a four-speed automatic which gives a nice smooth change, and the 5.0 litre pulls well through the gears. On the braking side of things, the vehicle comes to a halt as it should, with no juddering from the pedal.

A 500SL in original condition, topped off with it being a 1 previous keeper car, and with an excellent service history, with the last one carried out around 4,000 miles ago.

1 owner cars, especially in original condition, are sure to generate a high amount of interest and there will be no exception for this grand tourer 1991 Mercedes 500SL, which is testament to the owners love of the vehicle, and given its age of 30 years old, its a stunning example.

Will you be the one to take home this 90’s icon?

Notice to bidders