Vehicle Detail

SkillanNaylor Car Company are pleased to offer this 2001 Mercedes SL500 Silver Arrow 2Dr Convertible Auto seen in Silver Arrow Metallic with Black/Ivory Leather upholstery.

The Mercedes SL 500 Silver Arrow was the celebration swansong of the R129 version of the Mercedes SL series and is seen by many as one of the most desirable model produced. The Silver Arrow name is a nod towards the legendary Mercedes Silver Arrow Formula One teams of the 1930's.

The Silver Arrow name apparently came about when a Mercedes Formula One mechanic was seen scrapping the paint off a Formula One car so that it became lighter. The bare aluminium silver car that was left exposed went on to win its race and the name Silver Arrow stuck.

The most famous Silver Arrow F1 driver of the period had to be Sir Sterling Moss. You only need to search on YouTube and you will see grainy footage of Sir Sterling Moss piloting his gleaming SL300 Gullwing on the Mille Miglia.

In 2001 and to mark the end of production of the R129 SL series Mercedes produced the SL 500 Silver Arrow. Just 100 of these cars would be imported in to the UK. They were all of the same colour combination and specification.

Many Mercedes enthusiast regard this version of the SL series to be the pinnacle of model. It is extremely well built and feels very 'Mercedes'. It is the true embodiment of the term GT or Grand Tourer. It features a naturally aspirated 5.0L V8 engine and a 5-Speed Auto Gearbox.

The R129 was also the last SL to feature a 'clip-on' hard top. This gave the car an added degree of usability. In warmer climates or the summer months the hard-top can be removed and stored and the 'soft' fabric roof used. Once the sun has set and the car is used during the winter the hard-top can be reattached and the car feels very much like a two-door coupe.

This particular SL 500 Silver Arrow has lead and interesting life. It was first registered in October 2001 to the London based Mercedes dealer Hughes of Beconsfield. It was then bought by the current owner in January 2002 with just 37 miles recorded. The early part of its life was spent in the Londo area and was serviced by Hughes of Beconsfield. It later made its way up to Aberdeen where it was looked after by the Mercedes dealer John R Weir.

In 2008 it was brought to the Isle of Man by the current owner and service work was carried out by Whitestone Mercedes. It then travelled back to the UK and before returning to the island in 2012.

Throughout the majority of its life the car has been stored in a garage and at various times has been declared as SORN (Statutory off road notice) to the DVLA. In 2021 it was brought out of hibernation and a major service and refurbishment program was carried out by Scott Taylor Vehicles Specialists. All documentation to support its history is collated. Please note that the original service folder was lost by one of the original Mercedes dealers when being serviced. Old MOT's and service invoice are available to confirm the recorded mileage of just 30,949 miles.

To summaries there is nothing more depressing the car depreciation. It happens whilst you sleep at night and there is very little you can do about it. One way to avoid this trap is to by a car that is going up not down. This Mercedes SL 500 Silver Arrow is a time capsule back to when Mercedes were regarded as the best manufacture of this type of car. The SL 500 Silver Arrow is a true modern classic. You can drive it every day or leave for those special occasion drives. Cars of the condition, mileage and provenance very rarely come up for sale. Please contact us for further information.

The features & options of this car include:

• Removable Clip on Hard-Top
• 2 + 2 Seating
• Xenon Headlights & headlight washer system
• AMG Body Styling
• 18" AMG Split-Rim Style Alloy Wheels
• Panoramic Glass Roof in the hard-top
• Electric/Memory Front Seats
• Heated Front Seats
• Turned Aluminium Dash Binnacle
• Elec Fold Ext Door Mirrors
• Dark Ash Wood interior trim
• Cruise Control
• Electric Windows & Mirrors
• ESP - Electric Stability Programme
• CD Changer

To arrange a test drive in this car please contact SkillanNaylor Car Company.