One to Buy: 930 mile Crystal Fayalit Green 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster
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Four years after production of the spectacular Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren had begun, a Roadster version was added to the range.
In addition to an electric canvas roof, the SLR Roadster featured unique carbonfibre crash structures, steel reinforced A-pillars and a pair of fixed roll-over bars behind the seats. Once manually unlocked from the front window frame and pushed upwards, the roof electronically folded away in under ten seconds. When lowered, it was concealed from view.
Mechanically, the two body styles were identical with each SLR built around a CFRP monocoque while power came from an AMG-designed all-alloy 5.5-litre supercharged V8 that pumped out 617bhp at 6500rpm and 575lb-ft between 3250rpm and 5000rpm. Transmission was through AMG’s Speedshift R five-speed automatic gearbox that offered a choice of fully automatic or manual gearshifts (the latter via steering wheel-mounted buttons).
Mercedes originally planned a production run of 3500 SLRs, but just 2157 were ultimately completed. A further 300 and 75 were respectively built to 722 Edition and Stirling Moss trim, but Mercedes remained well short of their target.
Currently on offer at the Canepa showroom in Scotts Valley, California, is surely one of the most handsome SLR Roadsters ever built. Configured in the sensational Designo colour scheme of Crystal Fayalit Green Metallic with Tan leather upholstery, chassis ‘001912’ was completed towards the end of the SLR’s production run, since which time it has covered just 930 miles.
Presented in appropriately immaculate condition, this likely one-of-one machine stands apart from the myriad silver, grey and black examples more commonly seen.
