The Bruno Sacco–designed R129 Mercedes SL is fast becoming a modern classic, and the sweet spot of the range is the 1995–1998 SL500. Cars built during this period had the enviable combination of the mighty M119 V-8 engine with the later 722.6 five-speed gearbox, which was a marked improvement from its four-speed predecessor. However, for those who considered the standard 320 bhp of the SL500 insufficient, AMG was always on hand and offered upgrades which formed the basis of what was sold in the UK as the ‘SL 60’—a 6.0-litre version of the SL500 that was conservatively rated at 381 bhp so as not to usurp Mercedes’ own SL600 flagship.

This particular car is one such example; it began life as a particularly well specified 1997 SL500 that was then breathed upon by AMG prior to delivery in the United States. It benefits not only from the 6.0-litre engine upgrade, but also has the AMG sports suspension, two-piece split-rim AMG wheels, bodykit, sports exhaust, and interior upgrades that differentiate it from its non-AMG peers. It presents in fantastic condition commensurate with its low mileage and is accompanied by its original Bill of Sale, handbooks, window sticker, panoramic glass roof, and invoices for the upgrades carried out by AMG.

Delivered new through Continental Mercedes-Benz of Fairfield, Connecticut , the SL 60 remained there until it was exported to Germany in 2017 and was purchased by its current owner later that year. Having travelled less than 13,650 miles from new, this is a very special factory AMG R129 indeed.