1989 MERCEDES BENZ SL/SEL (R129) 300 5MT RWD (190 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Mercedes-Benz kept the SL R107 on the market between 1971 and 1989, thus making it the second-longest series in the carmaker’s portfolio, after the G-Class. Its successor, codename R129, was a major step forward into the modern era of roadsters and convertibles.

When the 1989 SL broke the covers of the magazines, it was a stunning appearance. It offered the image of a sporty roadster that could serve as a GT as well. Moreover, the car could have been used as a daily driver inside a city and still offer a pleasant experience.

The SL skipped the whole pop-up headlights craziness that affected the European car design in the ’80s and kept the regular, squared-looking shape for them, albeit they were slightly tilted backward for an enhanced aerodynamic profile. Its slatted grille and low, flat hood were key design elements for the German carmaker and resembled those from the W124 mid-size sedan and the famous 190 lineup. From the profile, the SL showed its raked windshield and short cabin. Moreover, Mercedes-Benz’s design team managed to completely hide the retractable roof between the seats and the short trunk lid.

With a cabin designed just for two, the SL provided a sportscar seating experience due to the low-mounted seats separated by a tall center console. In front of the driver, the carmaker placed an angular-shaped instrument cluster with enough dials and gauges inside the panel to cover all important areas.

Under the hood, the SL offered a wide engine choice starting with a fuel-efficient 3.0-liter inline-six and topping off with the impressive 389 hp (394 PS) 6.0-liter V12.