Apologies if this has been posted before, but I have been looking for this video for over 10 years. I first saw it at Mercedes Benz on VHS.
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=KbdH-J6UoYI
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=KbdH-J6UoYI
grober
MB Master
This was another famous SL crash just when it was launched. Unlike the infamous "elk test" which was marketing disaster for the first A class this one strengthened the SL's safety credentials with its revolutionary rollover bar.
The Mercedes-Benz 500 SL Lyon Press Car 1989
This is without doubt the most important W129 500 SL available on the open market. Manufactured in 1989, this example was one of two 500 SLs, produced as prototypes in 1989 and made available for the Lyon Press Launch of the W129 model. The press day came to an exciting end when two motoring journalists were driving the 500 SLs with the convertible roofs down. By complete accident, one journalist misjudged the road, causing the car to flip over and crash. Luckily for the journalist, the brand new latest technology roll bar sprang up in the required nano second, allowing the journalist to survive his ordeal. The wrecked car was transported back to Mercedes-Benz, and it is unknown what has happened to that car since. The other car was used for the Paris Motor Show, and afterwards was shipped over to the UK where it was used for marketing purposes.
The Mercedes-Benz 500 SL Lyon Press Car 1989
This is without doubt the most important W129 500 SL available on the open market. Manufactured in 1989, this example was one of two 500 SLs, produced as prototypes in 1989 and made available for the Lyon Press Launch of the W129 model. The press day came to an exciting end when two motoring journalists were driving the 500 SLs with the convertible roofs down. By complete accident, one journalist misjudged the road, causing the car to flip over and crash. Luckily for the journalist, the brand new latest technology roll bar sprang up in the required nano second, allowing the journalist to survive his ordeal. The wrecked car was transported back to Mercedes-Benz, and it is unknown what has happened to that car since. The other car was used for the Paris Motor Show, and afterwards was shipped over to the UK where it was used for marketing purposes.
I seem to remember reading that the roll bar (development, testing, certification, etc.) cost more than the rest of the car put together?
Actually it takes around 0.3s - any faster and there is a risk of injury to an occupant from being struck by it (it travels at 1 m/s).
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It doesn't half make you jump when it comes up while driving.....
Carrotchomper
MB Enthusiast
This video demonstrates the rollover protection on the SL55 AMG. She had quite a shock when it popped up unexpectedly...
...All time classic quote- "If it doesn't pop up, you're not trying hard enough!", followed by dirty snicker.
I love VBH.... And, of course, rollover protection [ahem]
...All time classic quote- "If it doesn't pop up, you're not trying hard enough!", followed by dirty snicker.
I love VBH.... And, of course, rollover protection [ahem]
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One you've dropped on the floor!
Carrotchomper
MB Enthusiast
The roll bar also popped up when Damon Hill was driving the car with Dominic Littlewood as a passenger. It was at Millbrook.
After the first lap Dominic got out to throw up, Damon just burned away for another lap
After the first lap Dominic got out to throw up, Damon just burned away for another lap
Carrotchomper
MB Enthusiast
The roll bar also popped up when Damon Hill was driving the car with Dominic Littlewood as a passenger. It was at Millbrook.
After the first lap Dominic got out to throw up, Damon just burned away for another lap
I expect the extra weight on the passenger side made the left-handers a darn sight easier
Howard
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The voice over is ' Sherriff John Bunnell ' pronounced ' Jaaaaaahn Buuuuuurrnelllllll ' .... from ' The Worlds Wildest Police Videos ' ... 
His commentary usually involves someone being ' High on crack '
Great television ...
' The roof rips off like tinfoil ! '
His commentary usually involves someone being ' High on crack '
Great television ...
' The roof rips off like tinfoil ! '
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what a smashing video never seen it before how luck to be alive just shows how safe mercedes build the cars
video never seen it before how luck to be alive just shows how safe mercedes build the cars
grober
MB Master
The Rookie
In "the Rookie" Clint Eastwood and Charlie Sheen do a bit of SL crash testing themselves. Eastwood's line on landing unscathed---"Engineered like no other car in the world" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuC3zD5zgM4
In "the Rookie" Clint Eastwood and Charlie Sheen do a bit of SL crash testing themselves. Eastwood's line on landing unscathed---"Engineered like no other car in the world"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuC3zD5zgM4