The breadth of engines offered in the R129 Mercedes-Benz SL is rather remarkable. US customers were limited to the 3.0 (and later 3.2 liter) inline-6, 5.0 liter V8 and 6.0 liter V12. It’s not surprising that other markets had access to other, more special variants. One of the largest displacement engines offered in a Mercedes-Benz in the post-war era found it’s way under the hood of the car we see here, the SL73 AMG. And yes, the number 73 denotes a 7.3 liter V12 resting under the bonnet, capable of 525 horsepower and 558 lb. ft. of torque. This engine would go on to power the dramatic Pagani Zonda S, a supercar capable of almost 200 mph.
Tag: R129
As you hopefully know, it is Fathers Day and I thought it would be fun to take a stab at finding the ultimate “dad car.” Many vehicles crossed my mind, the majority of them were Mercedes, a few BMWs and Audis as well, but there’s just something so grown up and bossy about a Benz that it makes the brand feel paternal. My own father isn’t particularly fond of the three pointed star marquee, so it is not with him in mind that I chose this car. He’s like me, a fan of hatchbacks, sleepers and rally bred machines, not the brash hardware like the SL600. However, I have no doubt he’d enjoy the soundtrack courtesy of the 48 valve V12 because who the heck wouldn’t? There may even be a chance he’d be swayed, as I was, into lusting after this car as it has a Vortech V2 Supercharger stuck on it, pushing the horsepower figure up over 400. My father was the one who taught me horsepower isn’t everything but I’ll be damned if the man doesn’t love it just as much as I do. It’s the torque that’s really impressive with these cars and all 420 lb-ft of it is needed to move the 4,445 lb chassis. Just goes to show that in a big ‘ol silver rocket ship with a removable top is where a motor like this belongs and few do this style of car better than the folks at Mercedes Benz.
CLICK FOR DETAILS:Â 1997 Mercedes Benz SL600 on Cars.com
2 CommentsGerman Cars For Sale Blog turns seven years old this week. Thanks to all our fans who have made this website possible over the years! To kick off our anniversary week a little bit early, we’ll take a look at this 40th Anniversary Edition SL500 for sale in California. The R129 SL is in a sweet spot for collectors right now, with R107 prices trending upwards and the R230 SL being a bit too new to be considered a classic. There were a number of special edition R129s over the years, but this edition with its Evo wheels and Designo paintwork is rather stunning. With just over 14,000 miles on the odometer, this is one for the serious collector.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL500 40th Anniversary Edition on eBay
Comments closedTo kick off Convertible Week here at GCFSB, we’ve started with one of our favorites: the Mercedes-Benz SL. For more than 60 years, this car has been a mainstay in the Mercedes lineup, beginning with the closed roof, 300SL Gullwing. The Gullwing would eventually give us the 300SL Roadster and from there, Mercedes stuck with the hardtop roadster format, which would morph into a roadster with a retractable hardtop for the 2003 model year. One of my favorite SLs, however, was the late model R129 that preceded the R230 with its folding hardtop. This low mileage 1998 example is almost exactly as I’d want mine kitted out, looking mean in black over black leather with the 18″ AMG alloy wheels.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL500 on eBay
Comments closedWith late model Mercedes-Benz R107 SL prices on the move, the next logical choice for collectors on a budget to move towards would be that car’s predecessor, the R129 SL that debuted in 1990. These SLs were a major step forward in terms of luxury, technology and safety after near two decade production run of its predecessor. The model range saw a change in naming language in 1994 and a refresh in 1998. This 1997 SL500 falls squarely in the middle of the production run, with the popular 5.0 liter V8 under the hood and painted in the rather uncommon hue of Moonstone Gray Pearl.