1992 Mercedes-Benz 500 SL – R129 – Bruun Rasmussen Auctioneers

1992 Mercedes-Benz 500 SL – R129 Early R129 with the 5.0-litre M119 V8 Extensive documentation supporting the car’s remarkably low mileage of just 15,000 km. Rarely specified with a checked cloth interior as a tribute to the 300 SL. For more than seven decades, Mercedes-Benz has used the SL name for its flagship convertible model. Much like the S-Class, this was where Mercedes-Benz showcased its latest and most advanced technology. The R129 is a fine example of this philosophy. When it replaced the R107 in 1989, it featured advanced suspension technology, an automatic roll bar and seats with integrated seat belts. It was characteristic of Mercedes-Benz during this era to engineer such solutions with little regard for production costs. The result was an SL that was at once a sports car, luxury car and technological showcase. And although the R129 has now passed its 35th anniversary, its proportions remain well balanced. Bruno Sacco’s clean lines are the epitome of timeless elegance – with no need for large air intakes or elaborate styling elements to emphasise its position as the flagship model. This was particularly true when there was a 500 SL badge on the boot. The highly regarded 5.0-litre M119 engine, with four valves per cylinder, produced 326 hp, and the combination of eight cylinders and an automatic transmission was perfectly in keeping with the SL concept of traveling fast without looking like you are in a hurry. This 1992 example is unusual in several respects. Finished in Blauschwarz, it is almost black, but instead of the typically matching black leather interior, it features a checked cloth interior as a tribute to the famous Gullwing model that gave the SL class its name. Today, this makes the car stand out and reflects a trend in the market where bold specifications are increasingly appreciated. Most striking is the car’s mileage, which stands at just under 15,000 km. The figure is supported by extensive documentation. The car was delivered new in Japan, where it was carefully serviced throughout its first many years despite being driven very little. The accompanying service records show that in 2016, it had covered just 11,190 km. The car then came to Germany, where its current owner was based, before subsequently making its way to Denmark. It was never registered, but was instead serviced at a cost of more than DKK 30,000. At that time, the odometer showed 14,850 km. The car comes with extensive documentation as well as the original owner’s manuals. Having previously been in Germany, it is straightforward to register and well suited to leasing. There are many R129 SLs on the market, but few with such low mileage and such an appealing specification.

Estimate:£22,853.4

View all items fromBruun RasmussenorVehicles