The Mercedes-Benz R129 SL Roadster is Now A Bona Fide Classic Car, and This Horrifies Me

Horrifying. This SL is now 32 years old, and still feels somewhat contemporary to me. As it turns out, I'm old too. As I age, and cars that seemed modern and fresh to me when they came out are now being deemed collectible - I can't help but feel somewhat bittersweet about it. This R129 SL is one of those cars.
It's not just an aspiring classic - it now is an actual classic, particularly the earlier versions that qualify for antique tags. Bout how can this be? How can this very modern car be running around the same auctions with '57 Chevies and '79 Trans Ams? Actually, '79 Trans Ams don't seem all that vintage to me, wither.
In any case, this R129 SL and others like it have been steadily climbing in value, and for good reason - many see them as the last of the "classic" Mercedes-Benz cars, incorporating the overengineered nuts and bolts quality that has been lost in the modern era, in favor of high tech gadgetry and hyper-efficient engines.
The R129 is real, analog, and solid as a steel beam. It's a true Mercedes-Benz, and quite possibly the last of them.
Full review and test drive by Bill of Curious Cars. Vehicle for sale at Autohaus of Naples, on the web at www.AutohausNaples.com, or by phone at [phone].

[@videogarage9221]

Has anyone ever noticed that the audio on his videos are totally unedited. This guy has a great talent for narration ... with a style of his own. No kidding around here.

[@lobsterwhisperer7932]

That's what i like about them, no jump cuts every 5 seconds.

[@hertzair1186]

That’s why I keep begging for him to do car podcasts….he’s so brilliantly and naturally articulate.

[@MrKormmodity]

The world is healing, we’re at two uploads a week now 🔥

[@kevinmcadams805]

It really is! Bill’s humor helped make the pandemic bearable!

[@KoldingDenmark]

@@kevinmcadams805 As if Bill is truly worried. If he was, he would not be drinking whisky, because it only helps cirrhosis of his liver He is only using it as an excuse. If he was truly worried, he would go the drugstore and get a vaccine.

[@dforrest4503]

@@KoldingDenmark he did get vaccinated.

[@KoldingDenmark]

@@dforrest4503 Well, then he has no excuse to drink whisky and drive. 😊

[@Michael-jo9jz]

Quick review... 36 minutes. Bill the Legend

[@curiouscars9282]

Damn it, I tried. I was stunned when I uploaded this morning and it was more than 19 minutes.

[@michaelcope856]

If Bill starts doing 19 minute videos we'll know he's been in rehab, dried right out, and the world will never ever be the same again. Keep 'em at 30 minutes plus please. That's the way we likes it.

[@fitfogey]

@@michaelcope856 Yes exactly 30 mins plus always this is our video Valium. We just hit play and let Bill go for it.

[@LynxStarAuto]

The best one was when he said at the start of a video that he was going to streamline them because it was too much ramble. Then he rambled on for almost 41 minutes about a late 80's FWD Buick in the same video 😂✌🏽

[@tomstout9917]

@@curiouscars9282 keep the 30+ minute videos coming

[@louisbrown8060]

I love Bill’s idea of a “short” review. Actually, I feel cheated when Bill’s reviews are less than 30 minutes…they make my day!

[@tristanmackid4953]

Thanks for the videos Bill. They're sincerely my favourite part of the week and far more entertaining than anything on Cable TV. Keep up the great work!

[@MercOne]

One of the best cars Mercedes has ever built. The tech, build, performance, styling, engineering was light years ahead of anything in it's class at the time. The only other vehicles that even compared in 1990 was the LS400, 928, and a year later the 850i. The Allante was junk by comparison and the Jaguar XJS was a charming, but break down prone relic. Thanks for posting this. I'd buy this in a min if I were in Florida.

[@gdw967]

Entertaining and informative. I've owned my 1999 SL500 for almost 4 years now and still picked up a couple of things from your review.

[@thomasrhinehart6084]

Being an old guy myself I graduated in 93, I can hardly believe 28 years have passed, this design still looks timeless as ever.....wish I could say the same...

[@richboimagic]

20:10 Bill got excited when he saw the leather seats.. started talking gibberish 🤣🤣

[@tommyolsen8224]

Love that R129 🤩 Please get in some CLK 🤩

[@vinnymarchegiano]

I just watch these videos for the weather reports. Great channel!

[@Aww33993]

🤣🤣🤣

[@chadriddle3517]

Bill , I’m so glad I found your channel! I watched 1 video an I’ve been hooked since ! Your information and humor and just interesting cars ! Makes me want to come check out your car lot when I’m in Florida next . Thanks for the great content

[@billace90]

Bill’s knowledgeable monologue is now legendary in the collectible car community.

[@backpi]

Bill honestly i just love to hear you speak! 🤗

[@rEdHoUsE_1969]

Thanks for bringing attention to this model Bill ... A very underappreciated roadster/convertible over the years ... finally getting the kudo's it rightly deserves ...

[@kippaseo8027]

When I was a kid growing up in Boca The neighbor across the street head 2 1992s. His was a red one and his wife had a silver one. Although it was a nice Little gated community having 2 brand new Mercedes convertibles parked in the front did kind of stick out Considering my mom drove a Camry And the neighbor across the street from him drove a Lebaron and an Eagle Premier. Apparently he was a plastic surgeon and sometimes you could hear the giant Cellular phone ringing from the front seat in the middle of the night. My dad used to joke that it was another one of his mistresses calling To get one of her implants adjusted.

[@barryetherington6136]

Another great review Bill. Fun and informative. Good Luck at Sebring..

[@craigadams4143]

The thumbnail got me even before you started talking about it...beautiful!😻

[@RADGarage]

Explaining how awesome this car is to my son in 2022 is tantamount to my dad espousing how great a car built in 1958 was in 1990. I’m not explaining that well, but hopefully you get my point!

[@robertvance1873]

Thank God another great awesome Video from Bill, your AWWWWESOME!!!!

[@mindblown1004]

Bill I love how you briefly explained why we use the chassis to describe what Benz..it got my “car guy” adrenaline rushing, hope all is well. Keep it going

[@idontwantacallsign]

Love the car. A real classic. I once had a Pagoda and is a big Mercedes-Benz fan. SL is indeed Sport Leicht (Sport Leight). Remember it's a German car. Back in the 1920 Mercedes-Benz made the famous S, SS, SSK and SSKL. The letters stands for the following S=Sport, SS=SuperSport, SSK = SuperSport Kurz(Short), SSKL = SuperSport Kurz Leicht (Short, light) And in the later years when the SLK came out it was like this SLK = Sport Leicht Kurz (Light, Short). So one S is always Sport. The latter sedan models was named like this. S = Sondere = Special, SE = Sondere Einspritz (Special, injection), SEL = Sondere Einspritz Limousine, SEC = Sondere Einspritz Coupé.

[@nathangreaves9811]

I’m surprised this ‘90 model had a digital odometer. Many have the mechanical rolling numbers before the first facelift. Love the blue/white color combo.

[@jamesreckling6697]

It originally did not have a digital odometer. This one has been replaced at some point.

[@a.s.4914]

Hey Bill, Weather Channel is showing cooler than normal for Florida for the month of June......so you got that goin for ya.😉 Keep making the vids, thanks.👍

[@WitchyWhale]

I agree with you on how scary cars from this era are now considered classics. What horrifies me even more that there are adults who were born in the 21st century, that automatically makes me feel old. :/

[@MassiveTrackHunter]

Honestly I look forward to that forecast with every video! Love the FL weather analysis. XD XD The cars are awesome too, especially this one.

[@brandonhall8059]

Bill, I absolutely love your channel. Great content with super cool, unique and the underappreciated forgotten gems. You have a fantastic sense of humor and I look forward to every notification. You're right though- that Naples weather is a MF..

[@souissi1]

One of the best cars in the world

[@ericgiddio1259]

Bill I was a pimply 15 year old teenager in 1990 and had the privilege of doing my school based work experience at Mercedes-Benz of Sydney. All my Christmas's came at once when I got taken for a test drive in a brand new R129 500SL. Love your long reviews.

[@nickwilczynski3684]

I've never been the 'first like'... Until today! Cheers Bill... Our hero!

[@Onidax]

Inspired by your videos I bought a 1991 500SL here in the UK at auction in 2019. Lovely cars to drive, and for a 'millennial', an affordable entry point to classic car ownership

[@cardo1111]

Also growing up in the 80's, the R107 will always be the first model Benz I think of when I think MB roadster: the 380, 450, 560SL's.

[@leee3880]

My dad picked up an R107 earlier this year, and wouldn’t mind one myself, the R129 is kind of calling me too though.

[@shaneindallas]

Lmfao. You crack me up. Narcotics in the dash cell phone compartment. Back in the Tampa days my friend had a 98 SL500. And yes it was snowing in Hillsborough county back in those days everyday! 🤗

[@Ejbarymore12]

I picked up a 1995 sl500 a few months ago as a project for $3800 ( it was taken apart to fix rust and after fixing the rust they found the engine harness to be degraded and gave up on the car ) and I love the car so much I have completely gone back on my idea of selling it when I finish putting it all together my e39 bmw 528i had the expansion tank fail so its been my daily driver for work and man it is just a dream to drive it every day and I cant wait to have it all perfect like the day it came off the show room floor, wonderful video and very informative

[@orchids3332]

Bill, you are one year older than me. You help me to embrace my, "I'm an old man, life is a massive disappointment and I just don't give a F cause I'll be gratefully dead before another 49 years have passed" attitude. Thank you.

[@ronmccullock1407]

Welcome back Bill, sorry the weather is muggy and the birds are giving you stress.

[@josephvaldora49]

I’m very chipper to see that you’ve curtailed your use of the word “prolific”! Very sweet ride and a beautiful example! Thank you!

[@martymason5900]

Ubiquitous would have worked.

[@scottmiller8791]

Great videos! The old-school difference between a roadster and a convertible was a roadster had no side glass and convertibles or cabriolets had roll up glass.

[@67tomcat]

Still looks fresh and modern; not fussy with some exterior design details as with later SL's. Great review as always.

[@chrisb2844]

Always good to watch your videos and listen to your weather, cat, goat and bird stories.

[@chargingbadger_]

this is the first vid i've watched from this channel but you already earned a sub your commentary is gold lmao

[@paulm2861]

You are a riot, Bill. Love these videos.

[@mikesawtell9184]

Bill's video's are 'some very good stuff'....

[@PhillyN]

Must be a sign! I just bought a R129 earlier today!

[@chrismcintosh8790]

Bill, I now understand your weather reports I recently just moved to Charleston, SC and let me tell you…..I hate it here!! The mugginess is absolutely positively ridiculous lmaoo! Great video as always sir!

[@johnpezzullo9644]

Great Video Bill, of course funny as hell per usual. :) I usually do not like the foreign cars but this Benz is truly awesome, very nice car. !!!

[@wizardmix]

Hey Bill, don't take this the wrong way because I'm only 9 years your junior but that long sigh you do right after you get worked up about something is the same long sigh my grandmother used to do for the same reasons. It cracked me up when she did it and it cracks me up when you do it. Don't change on anyone's account: you being YOU is why I watch these.

[@Dr.TJ_Eckleburg]

Convertible designations: Roadster is two-seat, front engine Cabriolet is four-seat, front engine Spider is two-seat, mid/rear engine So a 500SL is a roadster, a 300CE is a cabriolet, and a Ferrari 348 is a spider. Sometimes manufacturers will mix definitions, but generally those are the understood meanings.

[@insitetoursirelandltd.5795]

I still wet myself a little bit in my 50s at this amazing Merc. Keep going. I was in my teens when this beauty was on the roads of Ireland.

[@Avrelivs_Gold]

This is what cars are supposed to be. Reliable, logical, looking nice. This is what 80s brought to us, which lasted until 2010. And now we are back into 50s-60s-70s over the top designs.

[@jacutin5033]

Chateau Libido. Let's unscrew the cap.:-)))))). Man, you made my day!

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

Greetings Bill on a crappy shìtty evening in the UK.

[@curiouscars9282]

Hello Paulie. Still probably a nice temperature.

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

@@curiouscars9282 Not bad just the politics and ill feeling living in this country let's it down, The reds have won.

[@ronmccullock1407]

@@paulie-Gualtieri. I live in the North West of England it is not looking good for the 21st of June

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

@@ronmccullock1407 Never really they are loving the power over people.

[@ronmccullock1407]

@@paulie-Gualtieri. I had a bet that we would not be free on the 21st June

[@christopherkraft1327]

Hey Bill, this beautiful Mercedes is a true time capsule. Other than the muggy weather it's a good day, not even ragging on Dalton, the poor Canadians aren't chipper today but so what!! As always, a great video, thanks 👍👍🙂

[@twilson1973]

Nice video, nice car. The history lessons are always appreciated.

[@romans828.]

I wondered if Bill got off his lazy ass and made a video today and wow was I soooo happy! Thanks Bill!

[@rpm773]

Big, stupid Alpine radio notwithstanding, I really miss the dash and gauge clusters from European cars of this vintage. Black with yellow/orange analog gauges and white lettering. And no large in-dash LCD screen, let-alone one that protrudes from the dash. These interiors are really relaxing to the eyes.

[@hotroddave7597]

I love the weather weather report bill and as time passes guess what we all get older. We love your videos bill we love you too. 😻😻😻

[@recl971]

I could care less about the cars , its ALL about Bill , he is an immensely gifted communicator, unique wit , loving those deep sighs , you rock

[@russianbot1420]

Good evening Bill, from an overcast and wet Ireland.

[@curiouscars9282]

I'm jealous, honestly. Wish I was there now.

[@LynxStarAuto]

One of my favorite Mercedes of all time. After only the 140 coupe.

[@curiouscars9282]

I love W140 coupes.

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

There's a guy near me who's put the W140 Sedan front end on his coupe looks amazing.

[@egold2071]

@@paulie-Gualtieri. Paulie that sounds enchanting. The coupe headlights were rubbish. I bet a 140 coupe looks sublime with the sedan's stately front end.

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

@@egold2071 It looks amazing I'm surprised it hasn't been more often

[@LynxStarAuto]

@@egold2071 I loved the front end treatment of the coupes. That's what draws me in. Along with that boxy rear with curb markers.

[@e.f.clarke2041]

Wow! It’s bona fide classic... and this horrifies Bill. Couldn’t imagine a better hook for a title! 😂😉

[@e.f.clarke2041]

“Disgusting, sickening, you name it...”

[@Yojikman]

Fantastic review mate! Still my childhood dream car.

[@emanuelturrisi56]

I know I’m quite late, but SL stands for “sportlich und leicht” in german - sporty and light :) keep up the amazing work Bill! Cheers from Slovakia🔥

[@barryarmstrong1130]

I love Bill. He is the auto expert to do with the cars I love. His reports make me so very happy.

[@jonboy9912]

Jump seats are common in Europe, I got two buckets with seat belts in my 1999 320, the backs of which actually fold flat to provide a packet shelf. Best of both worlds! Great cars!!

[@ronbourassa353]

Dude...u had me at shi!!y...lol. subscribed. Great review...own a 99 SL Im putting 94 cladding on. Keep up the work!!

[@josephvaldora49]

I’d definitely shitcan the pinstripe. It is beautifully done. It just doesn’t look right going over the front wheel arch. Probably ditch the stereo for the correct unit as well. These six cylinder benzes are massively overlooked. They handle great and 200 ponies in a cruiser is plenty.

[@8000Christopher]

Hey Bill, get away from the heat and humidity, come north to Canada, nice up here in the summer, and Canadian's have cars with lots of leg room in the back seat. :)

[@juliaray701]

I like that Bill tries to pin the speedo on the test drives, Great!

[@stewartwestlake3708]

Bill correct me if I'm wrong but I remember you saying you were going to do a video on a Chrysler Cordoba. Great video by the way

[@slyguyaction]

I can relate to so many aspects of this video in general and Bill specifically: 1) Weather here in the fiery low deserts of So. Cal is scorching hot and miserable from June through Halloween. 2) Crazy how cars from my youth and how a car christened the year I graduated high school in 1990 are now "classic" cars.

[@vahebaldemian]

Holy shit Bill. What a car. By the way, I'm still waitin' on a W140 coupe video. Cheers from Los Angeles. Pasadena to be exact.

[@gregvarner9562]

Bill, I love living in Florida. The weather is great. Try living in downeast Maine for a while and let me know which you prefer. (Minimum at least one winter)

[@johnzito125]

I've owned a Signal Red 1990 300SL for 8 years now. Coming up on 80K miles. In the NorthEast it does sit in storage for months at a time but I use it a lot in the fall, spring, and summer. It has never been down or unoperational in my 8 years of ownership. As you say it does have it's own charms. The 300SL nomenclature, the engine sound, the "coolness" of the inline 6 which has now went the way of the dinosaur, and I must say it is a great backroad burner if you choose to manually shift it. I do not very often if at all but I have and must say I am happy to own the 300 and have no plans on parting with it. Downside is parts and finding someone who may want to repair it if it's a job out of the DIY league. Also the 2 person installation hardtop is limiting. Lovely find this car is. Probably one of if not the nicest I've seen. Thanks for sharing.

[@marcelpacheco7878]

Just bought one today Bill; I think I'm going to love it!

[@user-xn2qt3qk9r]

Absolutely love the r129, but the hydraulics that control the automatic soft top and roll bar are an absolute nightmare to fix when they fail, currently working on rebuilding my 94 SL320’s.

[@AlienLivesMatter]

Pull the entire mechanism out (30kg) and enjoy the power:weight improvement. One day I'll seek out a broken r129 but for now retrofitting a tilting glass sunroof into my w126 provides sufficient ambiance.

[@9ZERO6]

Oh man. I remember cruising through Naples back in 1996 and seeing one of these cars. They are still 100% fantastic looking. Ok, maybe not an R129...but still.

[@michaeldonaher2851]

The R107 was my dream car and I couldn't believe they followed it up with this. But the R129 is just subtle and cool.

[@idontwantacallsign]

The Panzerwagen was the nickname of the 107. I much prefer the design of the Pagoda, and the R129. But I have a lot of respect for the 107 since it is one of, if not the Mercedes-Benz car that was longest in production. I guess it was 18 years from 1971 to 1989. That is amazing.

[@Niles-Guy]

Bill I’ll trade you negative 20 below temps from mid west vs your tropical weather and woodpeckers 😉. That SL is the ultimate classic convertible. I heard the new SL redesigned is coming out soon. But seriously Bill you graduated highschool 1989? I’m the class of 1990 for some reason I thought you were older with that voice 🤣

[@abdulabdanahib9617]

One of the most beautiful Mercedes

[@closer71]

Class of ‘90 here! In English it’s translated Sport-Light. I have a 1993.

[@414Grimes]

I just bought a 500sl Same exterior color but with Tan leather... This is the funniest review of a car I've ever seen!

[@johnj.baranski6553]

Being Bill age exactly I too can recall the car magazines fawning over these...and as a result they are what comes to my mind when someone says "Mercedes" and I would love to pick this one up or one in similar condition

[@teslaelectronicsgz]

Just got one for my 18 years old son ...1991 500 sl..for lowest price in Usa!@$..tnks for review

[@pawelwisniewski6849]

Just got 91 SL300 and my 12 year old daughter asking me to keep it for her for when she can drive ( 55k miles , paid 4k , very clean )

[@martymason5900]

Thanks for the video!

[@cudaus1]

I had a 96 SL 320. Very smooth running 6. Just very costly to maintain. Had to replace all of the cylinders for the top at a cost of 1200.00 in the early 2000's. Rearview mirror really did suck. I did enjoy having it for a couple of years though.

[@loreyhoffman4084]

Bill’s radio commentary is for the ages!

[@aramos811]

Really a beautiful classic Mercedes Benz. Thanks Bill.

[@Cboot301]

I’ve learned more about Mercedes vehicles from Bill than from anyone else.

[@thomaslanders6244]

Like listening to you and your knowledge. I thought this type of sarcasm was only up in Boston. You would fit right in up here. But, humidity sucks in summer. Winters are no bargain and last about 7 months. 1 week of spring and one week of fall.

[@jeffneedstogivejakeaturnon1083]

Bill. The best weatherman in classic car business.

[@JoesGoldenGarage]

Oooooh the blue. My fave. I had a 91 190e with the same blue interior. I actually enjoyed that car. Lol

[@rdsreference]

I had that exact car a 300 SL in Artic white. Great car but definitely underpowered and the sense of occasion is not the same as the 500 SL. However still one of Bruno Sacco's best work. That looks like an amazing example best of luck with the sale.

[@auntbarbara5576]

Aunt Barbara is still waiting for the '77 Cordoba....

[@joelyons3713]

That’s some serious Mercedes Benz knowledge. Great narration Bill, fantastic, I’m drunk, enjoying every minute of this. 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇺🇸🇺🇸🇩🇪🇩🇪

[@joelyons3713]

Why doesn’t every car have a good like this!! 😡😡🤯🤯

[@martinliehs2513]

Glad to hear you are a "spiritual" person ( whiskey over wine). Was this Mercedes model the last design before the Daimler Chrysler merger in the mid 90s? I remember reading at the time that Mercedes was looking to reduce its engineering costs by joining forces with a mass producer. Perhaps that is what diluted the brand and its reliability since then?

[@waggitnshaggit6592]

Thanks Bill you still got the Cordoba coming?

[@thehudsons1994]

Love your Channel

[@Jostelthen]

that Rose' signage really has him fired up there!

[@LuckysMotorcycles]

Q. Why do rich old men drive convertibles ? A. So they can put the top down to blow the stripper glitter out .

[@donswier]

Carved from granite design. This and the z32 300zx launched about the same time. Both cars looked great from every angle.