One to Buy: ex-King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster
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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.
