A Mercedes SL 72 AMG has been sold for a record $430,000 USD (€369,000) at a Bring a Trailer online auction — far above expectations. It is based on a Mercedes SL 600 that was officially converted, with proper AMG documentation to prove it.
Photos: Bring a Trailer
The Mercedes SL 72 AMG was the rarest of the special Mercedes SL R129 series. Only 35 units were produced, all in 1995, whereas the SL 73 AMG was built in 50 units and the SL 70 AMG in 150 units.
The car with chassis number WDB1290761F117237 was originally produced as an SL 600 in 1995 and delivered by ART Sports in Tokyo. According to official documents from AMG Classic, the conversion from the 6.0-liter V12 engine (394 PS) to the 7.1-liter V12 (M120) engine producing 510 PS took place on June 1, 1995. The car is equipped with an AMG sport exhaust system, AMG body kit, AMG wood-trimmed interior, AMG steering wheel, and a 300 km/h AMG speedometer.
Around 35 units SL 72 built globally
It appears that Mercedes-AMG built around 35 examples, but official figures are unavailable due to AMG’s record-keeping practices at the time. Such models were not produced on a standard assembly line but modified individually for clients.
Back then, it was not unusual for a customer to have their car converted after purchase. These high-performance variants were not marketed as special series in the mid-1990s but were custom builds commissioned by clients. Thus, like the SL 55 and SL 60 (V8 engines) and SL 70 and SL 73 (V12 engines), the SL 72 is an authentic AMG conversion based on the SL 600, and according to official documentation, it is recognized as a genuine AMG model.
The car is painted in Brilliant Silver Metallic (744) and features a removable hardtop matching the body color, as well as an electrically operated soft-top. It was repainted in 2003.Optional equipment includes xenon headlights, fender air vents, a power antenna, and a decklid spoiler.
The car rides on 17-inch AMG Aero III wheels by OZ Racing, fitted with 235/45 front and 265/40 rear tires. In August 2025, it received new Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. Standard equipment includes Automatic Slip Control (ASR) and an Adaptive Damping System (ADS) with automatic level control on all wheels.
During the pre-sale preparation and tire replacement, the wheel alignment was also redone. The car has 68,000 km on the odometer, comes with complete service records, and has been verified through CarVX and Carfax.
The interior is trimmed in Exclusive black leather, with extended leather covering the dashboard and door panels, complemented by burl wood inserts on the doors, center console, and steering wheel. Automatic climate control, a Bose audio system with cassette player, and electrically adjustable seats with three memory settings are all standard. The speedometer is graduated up to 300 km/h, and the tachometer redlines at 7,000 rpm.
The V12 engine features an aluminum block, titanium connecting rods, and dual overhead camshafts per cylinder bank. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 4-speed automatic transmission.
The 7.1-liter engine (precisely 7,055 cc) is identical to the one used in the SL 70, where it produced 496 PS instead of 510 PS in the SL 72. However, the most famous variant remains the SL 73 AMG, with 525 PS, whose engine was later used in the Pagani Zonda.
Due to its rarity, the Mercedes SL 72 is one of the most sought-after collector models. However, the $430,000 sale price is far above the typical $180,000 valuation for a well-maintained SL 72. It seems that the excellent condition of the car and the presence of complete official documentation confirming the conversion contributed to this record-breaking price, which is more of an exception that proves the rule.
