One to Buy: Final Example Built and 50km from new 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss
As production of the McLaren-built SLR was coming to an end, Mercedes-Benz unveiled a run-out special that was even more extreme than the 722 Edition launched back in late 2006.
Inspired by the 300 SLR driven to victory by Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson in the 1955 Mille Miglia, the SLR McLaren Stirling Moss was produced in a limited run of 75 units after regular SLR production had been discontinued.
Launched at the Detroit Motor Show in January 2009, this spectacular farewell tribute combined the underpinnings of the enhanced 722 Edition with an uncompromising new body that did without a roof, windscreen or side windows.
Despite having cost more than twice the price of a regular SLR Roadster and been exclusively offered to existing SLR customers, the entire Stirling Moss production run sold out almost instantly.
Set to go under the hammer at Bonhams’ Zoute sale on October 6th is the last SLR Stirling Moss built: chassis 75.
Ordered for a member of the Bahrain ruling family that had taken a majority shareholding in McLaren during 2007, chassis 75 left the factory on December 22nd 2009 bound for Switzerland. It was configured with special red paint (code 000U), gold-painted brake calipers, a red leather Silver Arrow interior with yellow stitching and wide seats.
15 years on, this unique machine has covered just 50km from new and has recently been recommissioned.
Reprinted below is Bonhams’ description:
Estimate: €1,500,000 - €2,500,000
Chassis no. WDD1999761M900075
The final SLR Stirling Moss ever produced no. 75/75
5.4L supercharged V8 engine with 650 hp
Top speed of 354 km/h
Tribute to the 1950s 300 SLR racing car
Recommissioned by Stratton Motor Company
Original Swiss duplicate cancelled title
A design overseen by Gordon Murray, a Mercedes AMG V8 with over 600 hp, and hand-built by McLaren in England, the SLR McLaren was an extraordinary supercar. Assembled between 2003 and 2010, the SLR allowed Mercedes and its Formula 1 partner at the time, McLaren, to showcase their collective expertise in developing and building a truly unique sports car.
The SLR stands as the queen of Grand Touring, offering performance in the grand tradition of Mercedes-Benz, but with technology directly derived from Formula 1, thanks to McLaren's expertise. The Stirling Moss edition, named after one of the greatest drivers of all time, is the ultimate version— the most extreme and desirable of the entire lineage.
A spectacular concept car, the Vision SLR, was unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in January 1999. At that time, McLaren had just finished assembling its supercar, the F1, while Mika Häkkinen had recently won the 1998 Formula 1 World Championship and was aiming for a second world title in 1999. The Vision SLR embodies exclusivity, impressive power, and distinctive design features such as the side air vents and a long bonnet, all contributing to its striking style.
The SLR would go on to make appearances at all major auto shows, both as a coupe and a roadster, inspiring the wildest dreams. Its name and its gullwing doors pay homage to the legendary 1955 300 SLR Ühlenhaut, often regarded as one of the most valuable cars in the world.
The Mercedes SLR Coupe was presented in its final form at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 2003. It retains the flamboyant style of the Vision SLR concept car. The bodywork (excluding the aluminum engine cradle), doors, and bonnet are made of carbon fibre.
Under the bonnet sits the renowned 5.4-litre V8, hand-assembled by AMG and boosted by a supercharger. This results in 626 horsepower and a maximum torque of 780 Nm, available from 3,250 rpm. The engine is positioned in the centre of the long front bonnet, which ensures ideal weight distribution. Demonstrating the expertise of both brands, an aluminium frame supports the V8, which is mounted very low, partly dueto a dry sump. Paired with a Speedshift R automatic transmission, the SLR delivers exceptional performance, reaching 200 mph (321.86 km/h) and accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds.
The brake discs are, of course, ceramic. Assembly takes place at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, designed with flair by renowned architect Norman Foster, while the bodywork was manufactured at the company's other factory in Portsmouth. Production commenced on November 17, 2003.
To maintain exclusivity, the SLR supercar evolves. In 2006, Mercedes introduced the SLR McLaren 722 Edition. The "722" designation refers to the victory of Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson in the 1955 Mille Miglia, driving a 300 SLR. The power is increased to 641 horsepower, allowing the revised car to reach 209 mph. Following this, the 722 S and the GT 722, designed for track use and not road-legal, were introduced.
However, the most desirable of all will be the Stirling Moss, the crowning jewel of the SLR dynasty. This barchetta, which can also be considered a roadster or rather a speedster, offers no roof, no windscreen, and no side windows. It is equipped only with two small glass wind deflectors to protect its occupants from insects. Its design is directly inspired by the 1950s 300 SLR race car. Rarely has a modern road-going Mercedes been so extreme! The weight has also been reduced by 200 kg compared to a standard SLR, bringing it down to 1,620 kg.
It was designed by the young Korean designer Yoon Il-Un, now Vice President of Design at Genesis, Hyundai's luxury division. This version is the ultimate SLR McLaren built under the partnership between Mercedes-Benz and McLaren. The supercharged V8 in the SLR Stirling Moss, carried over from the 722 and 722 S versions, now produces 650 horsepower. With a 200 kg weight reduction, the SLR Stirling Moss remains the fastest. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds and has a top speed of 354 km/h. At the time, it was priced at €892,500 without options.
Only 75 Stirling Moss models were produced between June and December 2009. The Stirling Moss was not only the pinnacle of the SLR range but also celebrated Sir Stirling Moss's victory in the 1955 Mille Miglia driving a Mercedes 300 SLR. It only partially resembles a "normal" SLR, with unique front and rear design elements, and even the width is slightly increased by 7 mm.
The chassis was also revised with firmer damping rates, and the steering is much more precise, enhancing the driving experience to be more analogue. And enjoying it with the wind in your hair only multiplies the pleasure! The SLR Stirling Moss remains a physically engaging and exhilarating car to drive.
The car we are offering for sale, even more exclusive, is the last of the 75 SLR Stirling Moss produced. Leaving the factory on 22nd December 2009 and delivered new in Switzerland, where it was registered on 16th March 2010 in the canton of Vaud, it features a special red paint, code 000U special paintwork in the Mercedes-Benz designation. It also benefits from unique options such as gold-painted brake calipers, a red leather interior known as "Silver Arrow" with yellow stitching, and wide driver and passenger seats.
With a single owner from new, a VIP Mercedes-Benz and Aston Martin client, our example is very low mileage, with only circa 50 km from new. Kept in optimal conditions within the owner's significant collection, it has recently undergone a thorough reconditioning by the British specialist, Stratton Motor Company.
The documentation accompanying the car includes an original duplicate of the cancelled Swiss registration, a photocopy of the Mercedes-Benz Certificate of Conformity (COC), and the original leather folder with its manuals.
