“ One glance is enough to tell you just how special this glorious car is.

So special, in fact, that only 100 models will be produced for the UK – with each one certified as authentic by Mercedes-Benz and Sir Stirling Moss ” (Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, limited edition brochure) Unveiled at the March 1989 Geneva Motor Show, the fourth generation (R129-series) Mercedes-Benz SL was styled in-house by Bruno Sacco.

Often cited as the highlight of his career, the sleek Roadster was beautifully engineered.

Based around a two-door monocoque bodyshell, its sophisticated all-round independent suspension was augmented by a host of active and passive safety features including: electronic stability control, ventilated ABS disc brakes, adaptive-damping shock absorbers, front airbags and an integral rollover bar that deployed in less than a third of a second (if the car ever sensed an impending flip).

Suitably cosseting, the convertible's impeccably built cabin was protected by a fully automated powe...