Rare Sport Package: 1998 Mercedes R129 SL500 – SOLD!

December 1, 2021 Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

The R129 series Mercedes-Benz convertible has been around the block for years and comes in so many different configurations you’d be forgiven for thinking it was a 1980s GM product. Kidding aside, the R129 is a sleeper in the collector car market today, especially if you find a creampuff six-cylinder model. This is a 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL500 originally listed in November 2021 on Craigslist in central New Jersey with a factory AMG appearance package and OEM hardtop for $12,500. Comparing this price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms the seller’s ask is in line with current market pricing, as a “Good” condition model is valued at $14,000.

The SL500 and its various counterparts could be had with six, eight, and twelve-cylinder engines. The looks didn’t change much over the years, and that’s not a bad thing: this is such a classic design, and we’re all going to be kicking ourselves in 2o years when the price rises to obscene levels, just like any Mercedes drop-top. The models could be had with different trim packages that range from color schemes to AMG upgrades of the cosmetic sort like this car has with the iconic monoblock-style wheels. The truly rare spec is the five-speed manual model, that Mercedes only offered in the early years with the six-cylinder 300SL. Although that gearbox is said to be quite notchy, that’s still the spec I would look for when I begin my hunt for an R129.

The MotorWeek Retro Review YouTube Channel features their launch review of a 1990 R129 SL500:

The seller’s car comes with a very reasonable 60,000 miles and is claimed to have been looked after by an elderly owner. That’s not surprising considering how popular these were the retiree set, but the R129 also floated above key demographic lines to find favor with younger buyers as well, an achievement companies like Cadillac still haven’t figured out how to do. The SL500 looks great with the upgraded wheels, and given Signal Red isn’t the most common color on this model, I’d count that as a major advantage in the eyeball appeal department. The listing claims that the SL500 was dealer-maintained since new, and as long as the paper trail bears that out, it’s hard to see how you’ll go wrong with a model like this at the current asking price. Good luck with the purchase if you take this clean R129 Mercedes home!

Here’s the seller’s description:

“1998 Mercedes Sl500 Sport AMG 60,000 Original Miles Elderly Driven Garaged Kept With Hard Top Runs And Drives Excellent Dealer Maintained Heat Ac Cd Player Must See Excellent Original Condition Serius Buyers Only Call If Interested.“

Do you have a Mercedes-Benz SL500 story you’d like to share?  Comment below and let us know!