A Mercedes SL500 Like No Other
Before the Mad Hatters over at AMG were given the green light to turn a standard Mercedes into fire-breathing tree-uprooting brutes, the R129 SL500 was around for our viewing pleasure. Stateside, we had a selection of some really wonderful engines, with both 8- and silky smooth 12-cylinder models, but none of them were ever hard-edged drivers’ cars. They were meant to be soft. This SL represents the way one might see a hardcore version of an SL500. From Andy Gray’s shop in Japan emerges this 6-cylinder powerhouse.
Powered by a 2JZ swap from a Toyota Supra, this SL now has the guts it may have lacked before. 600 horsepower worth, in fact. That is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, furthering its more serious intentions. All of this power rides on a lowered Bilstein suspension, brakes from a Ferrari, and AVS wheels. On the outside, all remains classy as Mercedes would have liked it. With dark grey paint, and no obscenely flared fenders, it looks relatively stock in appearance.
The coolest part is that this car is currently for sale. And given the Yen’s low exchange at the moment, its list price of 3,000,000 yen works out to just under $25,000 USD.
Chime in with your thoughts on the forum. >>
Via [Speed Hunters]
