Few model dynasties have managed to stand the test of time quite like the Mercedes-Benz SL. Whether you think the Pagoda is perfection, or the later AMG models are simply amazing, in the 1990s, the R129 generation SL was the king of cool, and a true statement of presence and unassuming wealth. Its bodylines were cloaked in Bruno Sacco’s timeless design language, with dozens of iterations being released over its lengthy life span, but for those in-the-know, the R129 offered a canvas for both artistic expression and mechanical ferocity. Sure, the SL72 may be the rarest of them all, but allow us to showcase a drop-dead gorgeous duo from Kultwagenhalle, one boasting Designo customisation and the other, a rarely seen SL60 AMG.
While both are impossible to ignore, we’ll start with the vibrant green example, an SL320 from 1998. Trawling the options from the Designo Manufaktur selection was no easy feat back in the late 1990s, due to exclusivity, and, perhaps most obviously, the incredible price of individuality. The possibilities really were endless, from individual paintwork, special leather interiors, selected materials and special technical requests.
Believed to be one of only 12 SL320s finished in Designo-Green-Metallic with a two-tone leather interior, this SL also boasts the AMG package, bringing with it a bodykit similar to that of the C43 AMG, completely modernising the look of this later example. Having been purchased as a gift for a proud mother from new, this example has remained in incredible condition as it was passed through a small number of owners. We think the only way to drive this one would be with the roof permanently down, allowing the world to admire those incredible seats!
If you’re after a true head-turner, boasting enough power under the SL’s elongated bonnet, this is the example that should be on your radar. Crafted as an exclusive offering from AMG in Affalterbach, the SL’s standard M119 V8 was cranked up to 11 to create the SL60 AMG. As the name suggests, engine capacity was increased to 6.0-litres, giving the car 381 horsepower and a monstrous 580 Nm of torque. Despite the standard SL’s somewhat lethargic nature, this upgrade truly gave the car an entirely new identity, especially when combined with the sporty AMG styling package, consisting of front spoiler, side skirts, rear apron and 18-inch AMG wheels. A total of 633 vehicles were created over a five-year period, with a base price of around 220,000 DM, making it an incredibly expensive choice for many, but for those with the cash, there truly was nothing else like it on the road during the 1990s!
