1999 | Mercedes-Benz SL 55 AMG

• One of only 65 cars built and thus extremely rare and collectible
• Immaculate condition with AMG certificate
• Striking Silver over Black, panorama hardtop

The Mercedes-Benz SL 55 AMG

'For me the R129 just has the perfect profile. I like it best of all when the roof is closed'. Ths is how legendary Mercedes-Benz designer Bruno Sacco describes this iconic model. It is hard to disagree with him.

The R129-generation Mercedes-Benz SL, was a long time coming. Its predecessor, the R107-generation SL, had enjoyed a nearly 20-year reign as the preeminent four-wheeled symbol of success, but by the end of the 1980s it was an old car. The new types 300 SL, 300 SL-24 and 500 SL, introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1989, showed no common features with their preceding models except for their overall concept. Just like 18 years before, when the 350 SL demonstrated a great number of innovative construction details in automotive progress, the 129 series SL now also was a completely new car and brought with it numerous innovations, such as the automatic roll bar and the multi-award-winning integral seat.

The new design of electro-hydraulic roof, standard equipment on the SL, was particularly convenient. By operating a single push-button the roof could be opened and stowed within 30 seconds. Closing the roof was just as fast. While opening or closing the roof the side windows and roll-over bar were automatically lowered and then raised again. The process was micro-processor controlled, involved the use of 17 end-position switches, 15 pressure cylinders and 11 magnetic valves.

The SL55 was AMG’s response to the SL500 – it was certainly powerful and quick, and used items from the SL500 to refine the package further, such as traction control.

It was also less aggressive to look at than AMG’s earlier take on the R129, with a smoother bodykit.

This Mercedes-Benz SL 55 AMG

This is one of only 65 cars built and thus extremely rare and collectible. This is the last of the models built separately by AMG in Affalterbach, on the basis of an SL500. All SL55 AMG were first built in the Mercedes plant and then converted by AMG. The original AMG certificate shows the modifications:

• AMG M113 5,5l engine with new ECU
• AMG exhaust system with special muffler
• Modified differential
• AMG suspension (springs and dampers)
• AMG 18" alloy wheels
• AMG Styling (bumpers front and rear, side skirts)
• AMG Speedometer going to 300 km/h
• AMG Wood/leather airbag steering wheel

Further, this car was ordered with every conceivable extra available, including dashboard fully in leather, hardtop with glass roof etc.

Originally delivered to Japan, where it formed part of a collection. The car came to Europe 4 years ago and went directly to Mercedes in Germany for a complete checkup and full service, confirming its excellent condition. Please note, that the front and rear bumpers have been professionally repainted to factory standard. Silver over black, 48,000 mls. These cars rarely come on the market and this example offers a great opportunity to acquire one of the rarest bespoke pre-merger AMGs.