1990 Mercedes-Benz 500SL (R129) - ex-Sir Stirling Moss OBE

The Stuttgart Collection is a carefully curated selection of cars that were once part of a larger, private, UK-based Mercedes-Benz museum. The cars presented to auction offer a unique opportunity to own arguably the best examples available in today’s market. From the fabulous 500SL delivered new to Sir Stirling Moss himself with a later Mercedes F1 starring role to the modest 230 E saloon at a tantalising No Reserve, each car is on the button with unrivalled history files that detail the diligent maintenance from new.

From a firm lineage of beautiful Mercedes-Benz SLs, the R129 model was introduced in 1989 and continued the company's tradition of fast and reliable 'Grand Touring' convertibles. Developed from the earlier 500 SL model, the new SL500 was powered by a 5-litre V8 engine that generated 302bhp. The new model also featured an expanding roll-over bar, a fully electric hood, electric seats, mirrors, anti-lock brakes and a multi-link rear axle.

Speaking of lineage, many motorsport historians still rate Sir Stirling Moss OBE’s victory in the 1955 Mille Miglia aboard the mighty 300 SLR as the greatest racing feat yet achieved - he beat the reigning World Champion, Fangio, into second place by a staggering 32 minutes, by completing the 992 mile course in a remarkable ten hours, seven minutes and 48 seconds at an average speed of 97.95mph. Sir Stirling’s love for fast silver Mercedes lasted decades, and consequently he specified this fabulous R129 500 SL in Astral Silver and Royal Blue Leather and it was registered with his famous 7 SM plate on 23rd November 1990.

Sir Stirling’s personal requirements are documented in the history file that also contains all the car's old MOTs from the first in 1993 and a copy of his book Great Drives in the Lakes and Dales in which this car is featured. In 2014, the current private registration H7 SMX was applied to the car and is generously included in the sale. The car was thrust back into the limelight in 2021 when Mercedes Formula 1 driver, Valtteri Bottas and his wife were sat on the back of the car and conveyed to a great fanfare from the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 headquarters, coverage of which was extensive across social media and news outlets.

Presented today with 63,724 miles on the odometer, at the time of cataloguing, H7 SMX comes complete with both a soft top, a hard top with stand and, of course, that priceless connection to one of the greatest racing drivers of all time.