One to Buy: ex-King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster
Mercedes unveiled the SLR Roadster a little under four years after the sensational Coupe had broken cover. Aside from unique carbonfibre crash structures, reinforced A-pillars, fixed roll-over bars behind the seats and an electric canvas roof, the two variants were broadly identical.
Both used AMG’s 5.4-litre 617bhp supercharged V8 that had been created specifically for the SLR. It was hooked up to an AMG Speedshift R five-speed gearbox that offered two automatic drive modes and three manual settings. In Manual mode, gear changes could be activated by buttons on the steering wheel or using the Touchshift lever on the transmission tunnel.
Chassis-wise the SLR incorporated a carbonfibre reinforced plastic monocoque, aluminium double wishbones, coil springs, twin-tube gas-pressurised shocks and carbon-ceramic brake discs.
Set to go under the hammer at Bonhams’ Goodwood Festival of Speed auction is this uniquely appointed SLR Roadster from 2008.
It was delivered to 58 year-old Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain, who configured chassis 001637 with special Yellow paintwork, Silver Arrow leather in Classic 300 SLR Red with Black contrast stitching, a Panama Red-Black soft-top, Black carbon trim interior and XL bucket seats.
Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa was one of McLaren’s VIP customers; McLaren had assisted Mercedes during the SLR’s design stage and the car was produced at the British firm’s new Technology Centre in Woking. In 2007, Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund (Mumtalakat Holding Company) had become McLaren’s largest shareholder.
Chassis 001637 was delivered to Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s residence in Switzerland where it was stored alongside his matching SLR Coupe Crown Edition (chassis 001674). Today the car has covered circa 100km and is offered in as-new condition but would need recommissioning prior to use.
Reprinted below is Bonhams’ description for this one-of-one SLR Roadster:
Registration no. not UK registered
Chassis no. WDD1994761M001637
Engine no. 155980-60-001720
Built to Swiss specifications
Automatic transmission
Circa 100km on the odometer
Dry stored since acquisition
Requires re-commissioning
Manufactured between 2003 and 2010, their new SLR supercar allowed Mercedes-Benz and its then Formula 1 partner, McLaren, to showcase their collective experience in the development, construction, and production of high-performance sports cars, and just like its legendary 300 SLR predecessor of 1955, it incorporated technological developments that were ahead of their time. Yet the term 'supercar' does not do full justice to the SLR, which, its peerless performance notwithstanding, is a luxurious and finely engineered Gran Turismo in the best traditions of Mercedes-Benz.
Built at Mercedes-Benz's AMG performance division, the SLR's engine is a 5.5-litre, 24-valve, supercharged V8 producing 617bhp, making it one of the most powerful ever found in a series-produced road-going sports car. Impressive though this peak horsepower figure is, it is the torque produced by this state-of-the-art 'blown' motor that is its most remarkable feature. The torque curve is almost flat: there is already 440lb/ft by 1,500 rpm and well over 500lb/ft between 3,000 and 5,000 revs. As Car & Driver magazine observed: 'This lends mind-boggling elasticity to the SLR, with passing performance that has to be felt to be appreciated.'
Needless to say, the SLR McLaren delivers performance figures that are still among the best in its class. Taking just 3.8 seconds to sprint from 0-100km/h (62mph), it passes the 200km/h (125mph) mark after 10.6 seconds and from a standing start takes just 28.8 seconds to reach 300km/h (186mph). The two-seater has a top speed of 334km/h (207mph). The five-speed automatic transmission was specially optimised for very high torque while affording the choice of different shift characteristics using the Speedshift system.
Costing US$573,000 when new, the stylish SLR McLaren Roadster offered here was built to Swiss specifications for the current vendor and comes equipped with the following options:
Yellow paintwork (special)
Silver Arrow leather in Classic 300 SLR Red
Panama Red-Black fabric soft-top
Black carbon trim interior
Stitching in contrasting black
Embossing SLR logo
Two-tone steering wheel in Black/Classic Red
Leather edging for floor mats in Classic Red
CD changer
19" light alloy wheels with asymmetric 'Turbine' design
19" brake system with red brake calipers
Carbon-fibre bucket-type sport seats XL size
Offered with photocopies of its purchase invoice, receipt and manufacturer's Certificate of Conformity, the car has spent most of the time since delivery in dry storage and will require recommissioning before further use.
