SL/R129: SL Design History
08-28-2004, 02:49 AM
#1
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
SL Design History
I have just received a book ordered from toadhall.com that features the R129 at it's debut in the early 1990s. "Mercedes-Benz 300SL 300SL-24 500SL published by Automobilia.
The foreward ... "The overwhelimg sensation for anyone owning an SL can be summed up in one word: pride."
The design intent was to house and embody the state of the art mechanical, suspension and aerodynamic aspects of car design within a time-less classic lines that would carry forward the SL lineage .
It is quite amazing to me that the R & D had been done to fix the R129 shape by 1985. Fine tuning of the innerds continued till it was released in the early 1990's.
I'd say that a vast majority of non-enthusiats that comment on my car think that it is brand new! :p Not 5 years old since exited the production line . Not 19 years old since the visual concept was finalized.
I'd say mission accomplished by the early 1980 MB design team!
The foreward ... "The overwhelimg sensation for anyone owning an SL can be summed up in one word: pride."
The design intent was to house and embody the state of the art mechanical, suspension and aerodynamic aspects of car design within a time-less classic lines that would carry forward the SL lineage .
It is quite amazing to me that the R & D had been done to fix the R129 shape by 1985. Fine tuning of the innerds continued till it was released in the early 1990's.
I'd say that a vast majority of non-enthusiats that comment on my car think that it is brand new! :p Not 5 years old since exited the production line . Not 19 years old since the visual concept was finalized.
I'd say mission accomplished by the early 1980 MB design team!
09-25-2004, 06:52 PM
#4
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2002 SL500
Hi Chris:
Yes, still waiting. I prefer the R129, but I may go take a look at the SLK 350s. They look a little small, but I'd have to sit in one to see. Still enjoying your R129?
Will
Yes, still waiting. I prefer the R129, but I may go take a look at the SLK 350s. They look a little small, but I'd have to sit in one to see. Still enjoying your R129?
Will
09-25-2004, 09:47 PM
#5
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Oh ya 
. Every minute of driving or detailing it!
It was warm (70 F) and sunny today. My wife is out of town. So I went for a spin and found some twisty country roads to tear arround on.
Found a large patch of asphalt at a warehouse ... no one arround so I tried to emmulate a 300 ft skid pad.
I was bound in by concrete curbs on two sides ... so I think it was more like 300 ft in diameter.
Played with ESP on and off. Went arround and arround in circles at increaseing speed untill the understeer made me let off the gas so I would not hit the curbs. Childish? :v Maybe ... but fun.
. Every minute of driving or detailing it!It was warm (70 F) and sunny today. My wife is out of town. So I went for a spin and found some twisty country roads to tear arround on.
Found a large patch of asphalt at a warehouse ... no one arround so I tried to emmulate a 300 ft skid pad.
I was bound in by concrete curbs on two sides ... so I think it was more like 300 ft in diameter.
Played with ESP on and off. Went arround and arround in circles at increaseing speed untill the understeer made me let off the gas so I would not hit the curbs. Childish? :v Maybe ... but fun.
Last edited by ChrisB; 09-25-2004 at 09:50 PM.
