There is no shortage of books on the open-top Mercedes-Benz R129 model series (280 SL to SL 73 AMG), built between 1989 and 2001. However, many of them are quite extensive and not exactly cheap. As an alternative, Michael Allner suggests a 96-page booklet for EUR 12.95, which nevertheless has 115 illustrations.
Before development to the end
The R129 had no task, as it was to replace the most successful Mercedes Cabriolet, which had been built for an impressive 18 years. But the new model broke with tradition and was the first Stern model with integral seats, automatic roof and wind deflector.
The R129 was presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1989, and a total of almost 205,000 units were built up to 2001.
And unlike its predecessor, the SL was also available with a twelve-cylinder engine and as an AMG version. The Sacco bodywork, which has actually aged quite well overall, remains unforgotten.
Michael Allner naturally tells the story of the R129 in much more detail and, above all, with plenty of photo examples. He doesn't leave out special models and special features either.
The only gullwing
After four years of construction, the 500 SL became the SL 500, and the changes to the Mercedes-Benz type designations took place in the middle of the R129's construction period.
In 1993, the most spectacular of all R129s was also built by Karmann. The convertible was turned into a gullwing coupé. The doors could be opened from a distance using the infrared remote control. Unfortunately, it remained a prototype, but Allner has not forgotten it in his book.
Sensibly selected factory photos
Allner also expertly documents the two model maintenance operations and serves them up with many pictures, all of which come from the factory collection, as do practically all the pictures in the book. You may have seen many of them before, but you will always discover fresh images, always in color, of course, in keeping with the times.
A few advertising subjects also made it into the book; we noticed the one for the "SL final edition", which attracted attention with the slogan "Imagine there was only one woman left!".
What is missing compared to larger SL books are color tables, endless lists of standard and special equipment, see-through drawings and illustrations from the operating instructions.
Also statistics and technical data
However, there is no need to do without a small data section at the end. Among other things, it shows the production figures broken down by model and by year, the development of registrations in Germany - between 2016 and 2017, the stock surprisingly rose from 34,030 to 34,303 units -, technical data for all models and plan drawings of the different variants.
There are also references to several web sources of information. The fact that, as is so often the case, an index is unfortunately missing is certainly due to the price tag.
So who is Allner's compact illustrated book aimed at? Certainly not those who already have one or two of the more comprehensive R129 books. But for those who have only read about the SL with the automatic roof in classic and classic car magazines (or online), the 96 pages offer a good overview and a practical introduction.
Bibliographical details
- Title: Mercedes-Benz SL R 129
- Author: Michael Allner
- Language: German
- Publisher: Motorbuch Verlag
- Edition: 1st edition, September 2018
- Format: Hardcover, 24 x 22 cm
- Scope: 96 pages, 115 illustrations
- ISBN: 978-3-613-04101-1
- Buy/order: Online at amazon.de, online at Motorbuch Verlagor at the relevant bookstore
