The original SL was the 300SL, which was introduced in 1954(W198) and with its iconic gullwing doors captivated the entire automotive world. While the 300SL Gullwing was a ground-breaking car in numerous ways, it was also awfully expensive and more of a race car than a road car. In 1955 it was soon joined by an entry-level SL, the 190SL (W121), which was not nearly as fast, but easier to drive and less pricy.

The modern SL series originated from the combination of these two models with the introduction of the 230SL in 1963 (W113) or more commonly known as the Pagoda. This car set the SL template that continues to this day as a high-quality, technologically sophisticated, two-seat convertible. The W113 (Pagoda) SL evolved through the 1960s and was replaced by what would become the longest-running SL model – the R107. Introduced in 1971 the SL had a V-8 for the first time, displacing 4.5 litres despite its 350SL badge. The R107 series continued to be produced up and till 1989 model year.

Soon after the launch of the R107, Mercedes-Benz began work on its replacement, designated internally as theR129. The project that was started in the mid-1970s was finally launched for the 1990 model year.

Under the direction of Chief Designer Bruno Saccoand engineer-designer Johann Tomforde they refined a modern shape for the new R129 SL and finalized it by the mid-1980s. The next several years were spent on further testing and development.

The new R129 boasted several safety advancements, which included an automatic roll bar that was electromagnetically triggered and raised within 0.3 seconds. The SL's seats also represented an advancement in safety with their five-piece frames die-cast of a special magnesium alloy. The seatbelts and the buckle latch were incorporated into the seat frame, and the height of the belt was electronically adjustable with the headrest. ·A new front-seat occupant-detection sensor could deactivate the right-side airbag when it determined that the passenger seat held less than 12 kilograms. Automatic rain-sensing windshield wipers standard.

The SL's Interior alone resulted in the filing of 20 patents.

The R129 SL's automatic soft-top could be opened or closed in 30 seconds, while the hardtop was made of aluminium.

The new SL also featured a range of six- and eight-cylinder engines. However, these now featured a modern four-valve cylinder head.

Despite the long development period of the new SL, it proved to be worth the wait. The 20,000-unit initial year production run quickly sold out.

Over the 13 Year production run over 50 percent of the total produced were the V-8’s.The Six-cylinder cars were second with just 44 percent, and the V-12s were the least common representing just over six percent of all R129s.

Mercedes-Benz also produced its own special versions of the R129 SL for various markets around the world. A limited run of 10 cars was built for Italy’s Mille Miglia Storica in 1998 and 1999, while 40 were made for the U.S. 500 CART race in 1996.

In North America for the 1997 model year, a 40th Anniversary Edition Roadster celebrated the 300SL Roadster’s introduction in 1957. Of the 750 produced, one third were built as the SL320 and the balance as the SL500.

The R129’s final model year of 2002 also saw the introduction of the Silver Arrow Edition USA, of which 1450 examples.

Market Trends.

With the earliest examples of the R129 now 30 years old, collectors are beginning to take notice. Over the past five years, R129’s in Excellent (#2) condition have increased on average by 49 percent. This has become a rising trend Worldwide and could well mark a turning point in the Mercedes Benz R129 market. First the W113 (Pagoda) went ballistic then the R107 followed. Superb R129s have already doubled in value over the past two years – but they have still got further to go.

Originality rules where R129s are concerned and a model that is surely going to excite and captivate the 90’s Car Market.

The R129 SL a Rising Star ?

Stunning Collectible Cars