Vehicle Description
Chassis No. WDD1994761M999920
At precisely 7:22 am on 1 May 1955, Stirling Moss and navigator
Denis Jenkinson roared out of Brescia in a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR,
embarking on the legendary 1,000-mile Mille Miglia. Averaging an
astonishing 97 mph, they completed the race in 10 hours, 7 minutes,
and 48 seconds-setting a record that would never be broken. Their
car bore the number 722, a reference to their early start time, and
would go on to inspire one of the most memorable modern supercars
ever built.
Fifty-one years later, on 28 September 2006, Mercedes-Benz and
McLaren unveiled the SLR McLaren 722 Edition at the Paris Motor
Show-a high-performance tribute to that iconic victory. Limited to
just 150 hand-built units in Woking, England, the 722 Edition
embodied the spirit of the original Silver Arrow while embracing
21st-century engineering.
Under its sculpted hood, Mercedes-AMG developed a hand-assembled,
supercharged 5.5-liter V8 that produced 650 horsepower and 605
lb-ft of torque. It sprinted from zero-to-60 mph in 3.6 seconds and
reached a top speed of 209 mph. These astonishing performance
figures were achieved through a series of upgrades, including
recalibrated engine tuning for optimal power delivery, improved
transmission response for quicker gear shifts, and a sportier
suspension setup with firmer springs and revised dampers for
enhanced handling. The lightweight 19-inch forged aluminum wheels,
larger 390-mm carbon-ceramic brakes, and red eight piston front and
four piston rear calipers further enhanced agility and stopping
power.
The 722 Edition featured a number of aerodynamic refinements that
contributed to its greater downforce and high-speed stability.
These included a deeper front splitter that directed more air to
the car's underbody, a revised rear diffuser that improved airflow
and reduced drag, and an adjustable airbrake that provided
additional braking force at high speeds. The car's carbon fiber
composite body helped shed 97 pounds compared to the standard SLR,
delivering a sharper, more dynamic drive. Inside, subtle yet
purposeful cues signaled its exclusivity: embroidered "722" logos
on the headrests, dark trim, and a slightly more aggressive
stance.
In 2007, the SLR lineup expanded with a roadster version featuring
a carbon-fiber monocoque chassis adapted for open-top driving. With
exceptional torsional rigidity and crash protection, it delivered
supercar performance without compromising safety. The power-folding
soft top operated in under 10 seconds and offered excellent
insulation and aeroacoustics-even at speeds above 125 mph. In 2008,
Mercedes-Benz unveiled the SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster, bringing the
special-edition formula to the open-air segment. It matched the
coupe's 650 hp output and hit 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, with a top
speed of 208 mph. Like its fixed-roof counterpart, it featured
refined suspension tuning, sharper aerodynamics, and distinctive
design cues.
Representing the final SLR Roadster ever produced, this example
also holds the unique significance of being the only example ever
finished in McLaren Orange. The vibrant choice of color speaks to
both the historical connection of Mercedes-Benz in the C 111
experimental research cars as well as the competition McLarens that
graced the world's racetracks throughout the 1960s and 70s. Once
complete, the car did not leave the factory as it was retained by
McLaren Special Operations (MSO) for promotional work in addition
to testing and development for bespoke upgrades that could be
ordered on existing SLRs. The main focus was to test the upgraded
charge cooler and related ducting for the yet to be unveiled SLR
Stirling Moss. From 3 through 5 July 2009, the SLR was on full
display with McLaren at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The orange
Roadster, a striking sight against the festival's greenery, was
used twice a day during the SLR parade, which showcased the newly
launched SLR Stirling Moss. During the weekend, Lewis Hamilton,
Pedro De Rosa, and the director of the SLR Program, Paul Mackenzie,
drove the car up the famous hill climb course. The car's
performance was on full display during the spirited runs up the
hill with a thunderous growl from the supercharged V8 paired with
the rear tires unable to maintain grip as Hamilton was showing off
for the crowd.
With the Goodwood weekend over, the car returned to McLaren for a
complete service. This work included installing new brake rotors,
pads, and calipers on all four corners and replacing the front
brake cooling ducts, brake fluid, and differential oil. It remained
a part of the McLaren Automotive Heritage Collection until it was
sold to its first and only private owner in 2015 when it was
imported into the United States under the Show or Display rule. An
accompanying document from the EPA shows that this car met the EPA
emission standards in 2015 by J.K. Technologies of Baltimore,
Maryland. The vehicle is accompanied by its importation documents
and a letter from the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) confirming its entry request under the Show
or Display rule was granted.
The SLR prototype known as Stealth, is a truly fascinating piece of
Mercedes-Benz and McLaren history. The sale of this car presents a
truly remarkable opportunity to acquire the very prototype used by
MSO to test and develop the SLR Stirling Moss-the final Roadster
built, and the exact car piloted by seven-time Formula One World
Champion Lewis Hamilton at Goodwood. This extraordinary combination
of provenance and accolades surely makes it the most significant
SLR Roadster ever produced. Furthermore, with just 11,500
kilometers (7,200 miles) recorded at the time of cataloging, this
marks the first time the car has ever been publicly offered for
sale- its raw and visceral character mirroring the very same spirit
Sir Lewis demonstrated behind the wheel at Goodwood in 2009.
