Beginning with the 1997 Formula One season and their new contract as providers of the series’ official safety cars, Mercedes-Benz began using the world stage of motorsport to unveil upcoming AMG-tuned models. The 2001 Formula One season would see Mercedes-Benz continue this tradition—unveiling the SL 55 AMG at the German Grand Prix in July. It would take eight months for the marque’s new flagship roadster to find its way from the Hockenheim grid to the floor of the 2002 New York Auto show, but it was successfully pushed shortly thereafter into the 2003 model-year catalog. At the time of its release, the SL 55 AMG rocked the contemporary market with near-supercar performance in a comfortable, elegant convertible geared towards touring capability. Powered by a 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 and five-speed automatic transmission utilizing AMG’s ‘Speedshift’ control unit, the somewhat bulky 1,920 kg roadster rockets to 100 kph in just north of four seconds.

This right-hand drive, Obsidian Black over Gray Nappa leather example is desirably specified from new with the impressive ‘030 AMG Performance Package’, which provides a host of notable cosmetic and performance improvements to an otherwise highly-polished product. The exclusive aero package hides a secondary oil cooler and revised intake system, while a set of staggered, two-piece, 19-inch lightweight alloy wheels enshroud a set of massive 380 mm cross-drilled rotors and eight-piston calipers of similar specification to those found in the later SL 65. A limited-slip differential and sport tuned Active Body Control system round out the exclusive performance features of ‘030’ package—keeping the excitable roadster pinned to the road, at-speed. Should the new owner of this rare roadster desire to explore the upper limits of this example’s straight-line potency—the ‘030’ package chassis are ‘ungoverned’—their top speeds now exceeding a reported 290 kph, over 50 kph faster than the typical SL 55 AMG.

Inside, the steering wheel and headliner are wrapped in an exclusive Alcantara finish which accentuates the Gray leather and aluminum trim throughout the comfortably appointed cabin. Additional and desirable features present on this chassis include the COMAND navigation and DVD unit, multi-disk CD changer, Distronic adaptive cruise control, Parktronic parking sensors, Premium sound system, and active ventilated seats with memory, heating, and cooling functions.

Completed in November of 2004 and delivered new to the United Kingdom, this SL 55 AMG was retained by its original owner until 2016. Acquired thereafter by a dealer, this chassis was reportedly furnished with new rotors, pads, and new control units for the engine and SAM modules, while held in their inventory. This attractive SL 55 AMG was thusly acquired by the consignor in 2017 and has been sparingly driven since.

Should you want more information on the condition of this lot and or discuss the possibility of an in-situ inspection, please contact our office at +44 (0) 20 7851 7070 or email Britta Buchmann at bbuchmann@rmsothebys.com