Mercedes-Benz SL500 'Mille Miglia'

This Mercedes-Benz SL500 ‘Mille Miglia’ Special Edition was originally supplied by Rawsons of Tonbridge, Kent and first registered as ’N1 DCC’ on 20th October 1995. Being a ‘Mille Miglia’ Special Edition (1 of 40 for the UK), it’s a high-specification car finished in Brilliant Silver Metallic with a two-tone Red and Black leather interior. The Special Edition was produced to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Mercedes-Benz Mille Miglia win, and also served as a ‘run-out’ model for the pre-facelift R129s. If you’re a keen number plate spotter like we are, you’ll find many facelift R129s also registered on an ’N’, making this a very late car indeed. There were no optional extras on the Mille Miglia Edition, as Mercedes-Benz had included the following as standard: Heat-Insulating Glass, Automatic Climate Control, Heated Seats, Anti-Theft Alarm System Inc. Tow-Away Protection. As well as a raft of special features: Single-Tone Brilliant Silver Exterior, Two-Tone Black and Red Leather Interior with Red Stitching and Red Carpet Welting, ‘EVO II’ 17-Inch Light Alloy Wheels, Carbon Fibre Centre Console and Door Trim, Chequered Flag Side Emblems. Mercedes-Benz built 600 of these world-wide in both straight-6 and V8 form, with only 40 assigned for the UK-market. Our V8 example here is in exceptional condition and has been looked-after incredibly well over its 30 year life. This SL500 has been in our family for just over 8 years and has completed just 3,000 miles in that time, having recently turned over 70,000 miles from new. The car has been in professional storage for the last 3 years but has been fully recommissioned by a Mercedes-Benz specialist at the cost of £2,900 to ensure everything is in order for its next owner. 

We bought the SL from a dealer in 2017 at 67,000 miles and used it sparingly, adding only 2,000 miles before putting it into professional storage in 2022. This year, we finally decided it was time to let someone else enjoy the car and sent it to MB specialist NJS Solutions for full recommissioning works, including: refurbished front brake calipers with new pads, pins and brake fluid; full service A and inspection; rebuild faulty ignition switch; adjustment and greasing of roof mechanisms/micro switches; new brake lamp switch; and new roll-bar activation sensors on rear lower arms. We also had the fuel lines replaced in 2021 as they are one of the first parts to corrode on an R129; they are also very easily hidden which means the corrosion often goes unnoticed until it’s too late. Our SL500 has a comprehensive history file with all of its original books present and a huge number of invoices and previous MOTs dating back to 1998, when the car was just three years old. As well as this, the ownership history (4 previous owners), every service and every expenditure up to 2017 is summarised on a four-page document to save any interested parties from sifting through the large history file. 

Today, the mileage stands at 70,000 miles and the car looks as though it has done approximately 1/3rd of that; it’s still registered on its original number ‘N1 DCC’ which, of course, remains with the car. We have had quite a few R129s over the years - including ones with much lower mileage - and have to say this is the best one by far. It’s immediately clear that it has been cared-for, stored properly and maintained exceptionally well by each of its owners. Starting with the body and paintwork, it looks to be all original and is totally free of dents, scratches and rust. As you’d expect, there are a few stone chips to be found on the bonnet and front bumper, but you do have to search for them as they have been touched-in very well. It is clear that the car has been garage-kept as the black anodised window surrounds are all in perfect condition with no clouding, as are all of the window and door rubbers, with the exception of one strip of felt on the hardtop which is slightly worn. Another point of note is the windows themselves, the door glass is totally free from the usual up/down scratches, something we haven’t seen on any of our other R129s. The removable hardtop is in similarly spectacular condition with none of the usual storage damage, there is one very small (approx. 3mm) spot on the paint on the NS front and a piece of leather inside the quarter window is starting to come away from the moulding. The ‘Evo II’ 17-inch wheels are in perfect condition with very good Continental tyres all-round, the ‘Mille Miglia’ cars actually came with a supplement warning slip for these wheels which this car retains in the bookpack. 

The car also retains its original first aid kit, tool roll, spare key, wind deflector, and warning triangle. In-fact, the only original accessory that has been changed is the radio, however, we do have a ‘Blaupunkt Munchen RD104’ which was removed from our one of our previous 1995 Sl500s that can be bought by separate negotiation. The interior is near-immaculate, special care was clearly taken by each of its owners when entering and exiting the vehicle as the driver’s bolster and seat squab is virtually wear-free, including the stitching in the leading edges. All of the plastics, switchgear and touch points are also free from any wear or cracks; the only fault we can find with the interior is small patch of crazing in the lacquer on the carbon-fibre centre console trim. The black mohair hood is original and in perfect condition, with no marks or wear; the plastic rear windows have been replaced and are therefore also in excellent condition. The underside of the car is in excellent, clean condition with only some surface corrosion spotting on smaller steel components; the inner arches are exceptionally tidy and still in all-original silver chip-proof paint (see photos) with no nasty underseal coverings. 

Overall, our SL500 ‘Mille Miglia’ Special Edition is one of the finest examples of an R129 we’ve seen, with a nice mileage that means the next owner can sensibly use it without fear. Being one of just 40 UK cars, and one of even less in top-spec V8 form, means this surely will be an appreciating modern-classic. The car is based at our studio in Bicester, please contact Greg with any questions or to arrange a viewing.