The Mercedes-Benz SL made its debut back in 1952, and the most iconic and now unaffordable 300SL remains one of the most beautiful cars ever designed. Anything that came after had some pretty big boots to fill. Now, the fourth-generation SL (R129) isn’t exactly the model that sets my heart racing. But after laying eyes on this version, built by Harry Pippard, I’ve had to reconsider.
The foundation here is an SL320, a rare 40th-anniversary Designo edition from 1998. The color is a stunning blend of green and blue, much to my surprise, it’s standard on the Designo edition cars. While the SL’s lines remain intact, Harry has made some subtle tweaks to the bumpers and sideskirts. Everything’s been done by Harry himself, including the paintwork, right from his own garage at home.
Working in collaboration with 6ad Forged, Harry designed the wheels himself. These three-piece wheels come in 18”x9.5j up front and 18”x10.5j at the rear. The inspiration here is pretty clear, taking cues from the Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evo II wheels, giving the car that sought-after OEM+ vibe.
Then there’s the roof. Standard fare is a removable hardtop, but in this case, the hardtop’s been given an extra sunroof. Typically, if you want to go top-down, you’d leave the hardtop at home. But if you still crave the hardtop aesthetics while cruising al fresco, this strikes a neat balance.
Lastly, let’s talk about the air ride. During Heaven on Wheels, Harry made the trip from England by train, not on a trailer but driving. The suspension, consisting of Airlift Bags with Intermotive custom mounts, is controlled using an Air Lift Performance management system. It ensures a smooth ride, even on those epic road trips.
Owner – Harry Pippard
