The Mercedes-Benz R129 automobile

Automobile

An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...

s were produced from 1989 through 2002. They were sold under the SL-Class

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

The Mercedes-Benz SL is a grand tourer manufactured by Mercedes since 1954. The designation SL derives from the German Sport Leicht, or Sport Lightweight — and was first applied to the 300SL 'Gullwing' named also after its gullwing or upward-opening doors.The term SL-Class refers to the...

 model names. The R129 replaced the R107

Mercedes-Benz R107

The Mercedes-Benz R107 and C107 automobiles were produced from 1971 through 1989, being the second longest single series ever produced by the Mercedes, after the G-Class. They were sold under the SL and SLC model names. The R107 replaced the W113 SL-Class in 1972 and was replaced by the R129...

 SL-Class in 1989 and was in its turn replaced by the R230

Mercedes-Benz R230

Changes include new engines for SL 350 and SL 500, with improved performance on SL 55 AMG and SL 600, as well as a new top-of-the-line SL 65 AMG. ABC was improved to reduce body movements in dynamic driving by up to 60%....

 in 2003 (US).

The R129 was based on the shortened floorpan of the Mercedes-Benz W124

Mercedes-Benz W124

W124 is the Mercedes-Benz internal chassis-designation for the 1985 to 1995 version of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The W124 models replaced the W123 models after 1985 and were superseded by the W210 E-Class after 1995.-History:...

 and featured many innovative details for the time, for instance electronically controlled damping (optional) and a hidden, automatically extending roll-over bar.