To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Abu Dhabi event, 30
November 2019.
Estimate:
$2,550,000 - $2,750,000
- One of only 75 examples built
- The rarest and final version of the Mercedes-Benz/McLaren
SLR
- Inspired by Sir Stirling Moss's 1955 Mille Miglia-winning 300
SLR
- One owner, and just over 500 km from new
- The most radical Mercedes-Benz roadster since the CLK GTR
roadster
The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss was unveiled at the
2009 North American International Auto Show, a lightweight
speedster variant of the SLR as potent in performance as it is
arresting in appearance. Just 75 examples were built, offered
exclusively to existing SLR owners as a modern homage to the
exquisite 300 SLR that Stirling Moss campaigned to victory in the
1955 Mille Miglia.
A total of 661 cars were entered in the 1955 Mille Miglia, with
Stirling Moss and co-driver Denis Jenkinson facing fierce
competition from Ferrari and their Italian drivers familiar with
the route. To compensate for their lack of local road knowledge,
Jenkinson spent months making a scroll with notes to guide them
safely through the race, enabling Moss to carry incredible speed
through corners. Moss and Jenkinson ended up smashing all records,
winning the grueling race in just over 10 hours with an average
speed of 160 km/h, over 30 minutes faster than Juan Manuel Fangio
in second place. Moss's win in the 300 SLR has since become one of
the most legendary victories in motorsport history. If it were ever
to be offered for sale, the Mille Miglia-winning 300 SLR would
likely become the most valuable car on earth.
In the spirit of the 300 SLR, nearly all the creature comforts of
the SLR Stirling Moss were sacrificed in the pursuit of
performance, aesthetics, and extreme driver (and passenger)
enjoyment. This even included the windscreen and roof, which not
only adds to the visual drama, but also ramps up the intensity of
the driving experience tenfold. Indeed, when Car magazine
road-tested the car in 2009, they likened the experience of
full-throttle acceleration to 'standing on the wingtip of a 747'
and cited the 0-100 km/h time of 3.5 seconds and top speed of 354
km/h achievable only by those 'whose neck muscles can bear it'.
This level of performance is accomplished by utilising the same 641
bhp, 5.5-litre supercharged AMG V-8 that powers the SLR 722 Edition
and pairing it with 200 kg of weight savings, achieved by adoption
of the speedster style as well as the extensive use of carbon fibre
for the bodywork and underside and new aerodynamic package. The
Mercedes-Benz and McLaren racing partnership ended in 2014, so a
road car partnership between the two iconic brands will likely
never happen again.
This SLR Stirling Moss was completed in 2009 and was delivered to
its first and only owner, a Mercedes-Benz enthusiast in Germany.
Since then it has covered just over 500 km and remains in virtually
new condition. As a homage to the 300 SLR, this SLR Stirling Moss
is fittingly finished in metallic silver with a red leather
interior. A few months after delivery, this SLR was used for a
Hermes PaketShop commercial filmed in Barcelona with two-time F1
world champion Mika Hakkinen at the wheel.
It has only been used seldomly over the years, and today the car is
in virtually new condition. Included with the sale are the two
tonneau covers, goggles, and other factory accessories. Serviced
and maintained despite its limited mileage, this is one of the
finest examples of the SLR Stirling Moss available. Acquisition
opportunities of cars like the SLR Stirling Moss are rare, and the
visceral driving experience it offers is unique. Many distinguished
collectors have purchased examples of the Stirling Moss, a
testament to its unique place in automotive history. Equally
stunning as a stationary piece of art as it is enthralling as a
hypercar, it would make a wonderful addition to even the finest
collections or, indeed, the ultimate weekend toy. With the SLR
Stirling Moss being the grand finale of the Mercedes-Benz-McLaren
partnership, its current and future desirability cannot be
ignored.
Please note the temporary import symbol incorrectly references the
EU. It should reference the UAE.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/ad19.