1996 Mercedes-Benz SL - SL 500

Rare and unusual colour combination

Exceptionally well preserved

Only three owners from new

Complete service history

Original 129,000 kilometres

When Mercedes-Benz unveiled the new SL in Geneva in 1989, the 18-year reign of the R107 came to an end. Its successor had a difficult act to follow. Accordingly, Stuttgart had done its homework thoroughly.

Under Bruno Sacco, a roadster emerged that shared little more than its name with its predecessor. Clean lines, flush-fitting glass, broad shoulders and a wedge-shaped silhouette gave the R129 a modern, almost technical elegance. The fully automatic soft top disappeared at the touch of a button, while a hardtop could turn the roadster into something very close to a coupé when required.

Technically, too, a new era had begun. Automatically deploying rollover bars would spring up behind the seats in fractions of a second if the worst happened. Airbag, ABS, ASR and, later, numerous other electronic aids made the R129 one of the most advanced open cars of its time.

Mercedes was equally generous when it came to engines. Straight-sixes formed the entry point, with the effortless V8s above them. In 1992 came the 600 SL, with six litres, twelve cylinders and 408 bhp. Its real strength was not so much brute force as the complete effortlessness with which it dealt with speed.

During its twelve-year production run, the R129 was continuously developed. New engines, a five-speed automatic gearbox, xenon headlights and ESP kept it technically fresh, while the 300 SL, 500 SL and 600 SL eventually became the SL 320, SL 500 and SL 600. More than 204,000 examples were built by 2001. The R129 never needed to shout about its sporting ability. It preferred to get on with the job with the sort of effortless composure for which a Mercedes had always stood.

This SL 500 stands out from the crowd in more ways than one. For a start, there is its unusual colour combination of Imperial Red (582) with a black cloth interior (061). Its first owner was anything but frugal when ticking the options boxes. Xenon headlights (612), heated front seats (873), headlamp wash/wipe system (600), multicontour seats for driver and passenger (404, 405) and Adaptive Damping System (214) are just a few examples.

And then there is its history. To this day, the SL 500 has had just three owners. The second owned it from 2001 until 2008, while it has been registered to the current consignor since 2015. All three must have cherished the Mercedes, otherwise it could hardly have survived in such remarkably fine condition. The service book, consistently stamped by authorised Mercedes-Benz dealers, fits the picture perfectly.

Three owners, an unbroken service history and remarkably few traces of the passing years – there is not much more one could ask of an R129. Perhaps the extra set of AMG wheels that comes with it.