• Late model SL in rare and desirable spec

• Ultra-rare glass-roof hardtop

• Special ‘Mystic Blue’ paintwork unique to the model

• One of only 708 made worldwide and 200 sold in the UK

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. The fact that this is one of the last models made bears testimony to that, as it still looks fabulous from all angles and is instantly recognisable as a Mercedes-Benz.

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. A precursor of the ‘Pre-Safe’ technology that is very much a byword of Mercedes-Benz today.

This example dates from late 2000 and was the first of four run-out ‘SL Edition’ models for the R129 to take it through to the end of the series’ production in 2001. The ‘Designo’ edition was extremely well specified and offered in three exclusive colours – Almandine Black, Alanite Green and Mystic Blue. 

This example is one of only 200 Mystic Blue examples sold in the UK and it comes with a highly desirable glass-topped hardtop, which would have been a £5,000 option back in the day. It’s also extremely highly specced, with perforated black leather, 18-inch alloys, birds-eye wood inserts and illuminated SL badges in the door kickplates.

This SL has had just five owners in its 20 year life, the most recent since 2016 and who has covered little more than 1,000 miles since he purchased it.

Not much is known about its history prior to that, but it is quite clear that the car has been meticulously maintained, as evidenced by its overall condition.

The current owner is selling the car for no other reason than he unfortunately has to give up driving for medical reasons, so it’s time for his cherished Mercedes to find a new home.

Sadly, the early paperwork for this car no longer exists, so it is supplied without a handbook or service book. 

But the MoT history supports the mileage of 94,544 and the car comes with a selection of bills from the current keeper’s ownership that show it has been properly maintained in more recent times, while it also comes with a full UK V5 and an MoT certificate valid until August 2021, issued with no advisory notices.

The cabin of this SL is very special indeed, with perforated black leather seats and birds-eye maple wood veneers.

It has its original ‘SL Edition’ floor mats, which match the special edition logos on the dash ahead of the gear selector and on the sill kickplates. 

It’s in exceptional order, with no notable wear or damage, though the new owner may wish to track down an original Mercedes-Benz stereo to replace the aftermarket original. One other thing to mention, is that this vehicle does not have a wind-deflector in the boot.

With the glass-topped hardtop fitted, the cabin has a totally different ambience to when it’s dressed as a more traditional convertible. It’s a classier and more refined place to be, while the transparent roof adds a new sensation of its own. 

Remove the hardtop and it’s still a snug place to be with the roof up or a liberating one with the top down, and the lid still happily retracts in just 30 seconds, operated by a switch next to the car’s gear lever. The manner in which the roof goes down is a work of engineering art in itself and is fascinating to watch.

The Designo Edition had two distinctive features, the first being an exclusive range of colours and the second being unique 18-inch alloy wheels. 

This example is finished in the best colour of Mystic Blue and is in excellent overall order, with all its original paint. There’s a small stone-size ding in one door and similar on the bonnet but neither of these detracts from the car’s overall immaculate presence. 

Aside from the wheels and the colour, its special edition status is also illustrated by its ‘SL Edition’ badges mounted on the front wings, behind each wheelarch. 

Both underneath and on top, there are no signs of any corrosion – this is an exceptional car in exceptional condition, and it shows.

The 3.2-litre V6 might have been the baby of the bunch in terms of SL engines by 2000, but it was still perfectly lively, with 231bhp on tap – enough for 0-60mph in eight seconds and a top speed of 141mph. That’s GT performance rather than sports car speed, but nevertheless it never feels wanting in modern traffic.

Although the past service history is absent, the SL comes with bills documenting its maintenance over the past four years, where it has been maintained by a well-regarded and classic-friendly garage in rural Cambridgeshire, near to where the car resides. 

The engine sounds sweet and the gearbox is smooth, while there don’t appear to be any issues with the drivetrain, suspension or steering.

As future classics go, the R129 generation of SL has bags of appeal. It’s one of the last Mercedes-Benz model to still have the ‘hewn-from-rock’ feel of models such as the 190E and W124, but with timeless style and elegance and a premium image.

This one isn’t the fastest or most desirable engine variant, but it’s a brilliant example of an extremely usable car that shouldn’t cost too much to run. It’s also one of the best special edition SLs ever, with a fabulous spec and finished in a fabulous colour scheme. Add in the fact it’s one of the very last R129s, in beautiful condition and featuring that wonderful glass-roofed hardtop and there are thousands of reasons to love this absolute gem of a car.