The Mercedes-Benz SL 500 was and still is the ultimate nineties boulevard cruiser. The R129 generation is a prime example of timeless design. Thanks to a minor facelift, the comfort-oriented German roadster still looked fresh when it was discontinued in 2001 – 12 years after the initial debut of this Bruno Sacco masterpiece. Some might even call the R129 slightly too understated, especially when it left the factory in Brilliant Silver or Obsidian Black.
Something you definitely can’t say about this 1998 SL 500 currently offered by L’Art de l’Automobile: this exception to the norm is an exceptionally well-preserved Designo spec in a spectacular color combination. It feels as though it has been in a time capsule since it was delivered new to Sweden in 1998, also because it has only covered a mere 33,500 kilometers in 28 years.
What makes it irretrievable isn't just the mileage, but the sheer audacity of its configuration: an exterior finished in the ultra-rare Edison Green Metallic, paired with an interior that can only be described as a greenish fever dream. From the leather inserts to the tinted carbon fiber on the center console and the door cards, the cockpit is bathed in emerald hues. The first owner pushed the Designo catalog to its absolute limits.
The attention to detail on this car is staggering. To accommodate the original 18-inch AMG wheels, the factory actually had to slightly modify the wheel arches. The 'Green Goblin' also features the sought after panoramic glass hardtop, which transforms the cabin into a bright, airy gallery, along with multicontour memory seats and every electronic luxury Mercedes could pack into a open car back in the day.
Under the hood purrs the classic M113 engine, which puts out a healthy 306 hp and 460 newton meters. In combination with the five-speed auto, this SL 500 is the ideal car for a effort- and topless summer trip down the Cote d’Azur or the Amalfi Coast. Accompanying the car is its original pouch, complete with the service booklet, manuals, and a comprehensive file of invoices.
Having always been maintained by Mercedes-Benz, this SL 500 has just undergone a major service, including differential and gearbox oil changes. Such an example is definitely a standout in the crowd, rising above the sea of more conservatively specced SLs, and justifying the price of 134.900 Euros.
