1999 Mercedes-Benz SL73 AMG R129

By Team Dailyrevs June 7, 2025

Only 85 units of the 1999 Mercedes-Benz SL73 AMG R129 were ever made.
Its 7.3L V12 engine shares DNA with the original Pagani Zonda.
Despite its brute power, it still delivers the calm, premium feel of a true SL.

A Factory Unicorn

The 1999 SL73 AMG R129 is one of those cars that whispers rather than shouts. Built in extremely limited numbers—just 85 units worldwide—it’s one of the rarest factory AMGs ever made. If you’ve seen one in person, you’re probably a collector, a Mercedes nerd, or very lucky.

AMG took the already capable SL600 and gave it something extra—a handcrafted 7.3-liter V12 that turned the graceful roadster into a muscle car in a tuxedo. It's not flashy. No widebody kit. No outrageous aero. Just that little "V12" badge and the right kind of noise.

Classic R129 Looks, With Subtle AMG Muscle

From a distance, it’s all very familiar R129. Clean, restrained lines. Proportions that aged better than many of its contemporaries. The retractable soft top tucks in neatly, and a removable hardtop gives it coupe cred when needed.

What sets the SL73 apart visually is the subtle stuff: AMG-specific wheels, slightly wider tires, and that badge out back. It’s confident but not cocky—a sleeper, if you can call a V12-powered Benz that.

Performance That Shouldn’t Exist in a Grand Tourer

The big story here is the engine. A 7.3-liter naturally aspirated V12 making 525 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. That’s not a typo. This wasn’t just the biggest engine AMG stuffed into an SL—it was the biggest engine AMG offered to anyone, full stop.

It also formed the base of the Pagani Zonda's V12, which tells you everything you need to know. Zero to 60 mph came in under 5 seconds. Top speed? Electronically limited to 155 mph, but with the limiter gone, it could go further. Way further.

And yet, despite all this firepower, it still had the manners of an SL. Smooth. Composed. Quiet when you wanted it to be. Loud when you didn’t.

Inside: 1990s Mercedes Done Right

The cabin is everything you'd expect from a top-trim SL of the era. Thick leather seats with miles of adjustment. Walnut trim. Analog gauges that feel precision-machined. You got climate control, a premium audio system, and all the creature comforts that mattered back then.

It wasn’t minimalist, and it wasn’t overloaded either. Just solid, focused luxury with a deep sense of confidence.

Rarity = Value

Back when new, the SL73 AMG retailed for north of 350,000 Deutsche Marks. Today? If you can even find one, expect to pay well into the six figures. One sold at auction recently for over $600,000.

It’s that rare combination of brute force, craftsmanship, and understated design that makes it so compelling—even now, decades later.

Final Word

The 1999 Mercedes-Benz SL73 AMG R129 wasn’t just the last word in the R129 lineup—it was the exclamation point. An elegant bruiser that didn’t need wild wings or gimmicks to make its presence felt. It just let the numbers—and the noise—do the talking.

Technical Specifications: 1999 Mercedes-Benz SL73 AMG (R129)

Performance:

Engine: 7.3-liter naturally aspirated V12 (M120 E73)
Power Output: 525 hp (386 kW) at 5,500 rpm
Torque: 553 lb-ft (750 Nm) at 4,000 rpm
0–100 km/h (0–62 mph): Approximately 4.8 seconds
Top Speed: Electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph)

Body Measurements:

Length: 4,498 mm (177.1 in)
Width: 1,811 mm (71.3 in)
Height: 1,295 mm (51.0 in)
Wheelbase: 2,515 mm (99.0 in)
Curb Weight: Approximately 2,050 kg (4,519 lbs)

Powertrain:

Engine Type: V12, 60° V configuration, light-alloy block
Displacement: 7,291 cc
Compression Ratio: 10.5:1
Fuel System: Multipoint fuel injection with closed-loop 3-way catalytic converter
Transmission: 5-speed automatic (AMG Speedshift)
Drive Type: Rear-wheel drive

Capacities:

Fuel Tank Capacity: Approximately 80 liters (21.1 US gallons)
Seating Capacity: 2 passengers
Cargo Volume: Approximately 240 liters (8.5 cu ft)

Price:

Original MSRP (1999): Over 350,000 Deutsche Marks (approximately $168,000 USD at the time)
Current Market Value: Varies based on condition and mileage; recent auction sales have ranged from $187,875 to $610,000 USD

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