1990 MERCEDES BENZ 300 SL-24 AUTOMATIC
64000 Miles - Show Example
Full-Service History
Other Information
* MOT will be renewed
* Three keys
* Documented Service receipts
* Toolkit
* Wind deflector
* Spare wheel
* Warning triangle
* First aid kit
* Fully HPi Clear
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Foreword
Put aside any notions or expectations you have on how high a
standard you can expect from a 36-year-old R129, dismiss other
examples you may have viewed or had assurances on how impressive
other cars are on the market. This is a stunning Mercedes that
would hold its own in any show it entered.
Fresh from my own stable and modest collection, only making way
to another car I could not part with, you would struggle to find
better anywhere, and, the quality will remain long after the
price has been forgotten. In the coming years the best examples
of these will dwindle and the price paid will pale into
insignificance. Seeking a person who shares equally high
standards and/or the serious collector looking for the very best
pound notes can buy.
The R129
This is a very early example, possibly one of the very first to
be UK registered. Launched in Aug 1989 at the German motor show,
the R129-Series took the fabled Mercedes SL range to new heights
of technical excellence. Traditionally the most sporting model
of the MB line-up, the SL was the preserve of the rich and
famous when new - no episode of Dallas was complete without at
least one cruising by and many F1 drivers used them as
day-to-day cars in the early nineties. The early R129 models are
the purest expression, with two tone sacco panels and amber
lenses. In addition, the early cars also avoid the degradable
wiring looms that
plague the later cars, along with robust mechanical switches,
this is peak Bruno Sacco Mercedes design, yes I have owned a lot
of these!
From the poetic motion of the electric hood to the roll bar that
automatically flipped up if the car sensed an accident, these
cars oozed sophistication with adaptive suspension, airbags,
traction control, and a superb new five-link rear suspension all
as standard.
This 300SL-24 has the 24-valve version of the standard 3-litre
straight-six engine, developing a creamy smooth 231bhp (up 40bhp
on its 12-valve sibling).
G225 EJH
Finished in Nautic Blue, with Blue cabin, blue soft top roof and
matching hard top. This stunner was first registered and pre
delivery inspected by MB dealer Puttocks on 09.01.1990, the car
has spent almost all its life in the South of England. Owned by
its first keeper for the first 10 years, the second owner for 6
years, and then the third for the next 19 years.
The original service book details no less than 23 documented
services, mostly dealer and thereafter specialist's, the last
service carried out by myself in March this year, with very few
miles covered since.
I have three keys, including a leather cased key with the red
dot which is
unused, all tools and spare wheel. The car wears original dealer
supplied
plates and features the original Puttocks dealer decal on the
rear of the hard top. It has a thick history file supporting the
mileage, and every MOT from new. It also has its original
build sheet. It even has the dealer supplied keyring & the
dealer supplied tax disc holder. Also, a very useful wind
deflector that when fitted virtually eliminates wind into the
cabin at highway speed.
The spec is entirely as it left the factory with the only
deviation being a
Blaupunkt retro unit fitted to allow pairing of a phone to play
music & make
& receive calls. Full tool kit in its red roll, a full size
spare wheel that is
immaculate, the warning triangle, dealer supplied tax disc
holder, first aid kit, and all glass on the car is original as
is the soft top.
This is a genuine RHD UK supplied example. Very rare and
striking with a real depth to the finish, surely amongst the top
engineered cars all of all time with Teutonic build quality. The
3.0 24 valve 231 bhp engine is not to be confused with the more
common and underpowered 190 bhp fitted to the more basic 300,
the 24-valve car is far rarer and in my opinion the pick of the
bunch as it’s easy to run on fuel and to workshop maintain.
Service History & Care
The Mercedes straight six petrol is a legendary bullet proof
unit and is so
under worked that it will last forever. Very obviously always
been cherished
and garaged. Recently serviced, a new MOT will be supplied upon
sale. The
MOT history is nigh on immaculate over the last 16 years.
The roof mechanism was serviced in the last thousand miles with
new roof rams being fitted. Also, a new set of front brake
discs, and a spark plug change and a new fuel filter & Bosch
battery, its always been kept on a ctek tender.
I have a fresh set of new rear brake discs to accompany the
sale, however, the rear discs are fine they just come as spare
parts.
Alloys/Tyres
The alloys are the genuine lightweight Gullideckel article, they
benefit from
having been professionally restored. The finish is just perfect,
with blue
star caps, wearing a matching set of definitive Continental
tyres.
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Summary
There never was a car like the R129 in the annals of motoring
history,
there certainly wont be again. The market has woken up to what
these elusive examples represent, and this is a unique car fresh
to the
market. The SL is the best example of substitution in the
classic world,
meaning that those who are priced out of one generation
automatically look
at a newer generation that is more affordable. The R129 s
depreciation
finally bottomed out some time ago. I have probably overstressed
the message already,
however, this is an outstanding Mercedes. The classic colour
scheme can only
enhance the long-term residual of this enduring classic that
should now rightly
be wrapped away being brought out on dry days, a superb
investment.
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Many pictures below, click for full size
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