Jointly developed by Mercedes-Benz, AMG, and the McLaren Technology Centre, the SLR McLaren sought to bring something slightly different to the supercar ring. The three companies had been involved together in Formula One since 1995, and the idea of this working relationship leading to a limited-production supercar was greatly anticipated for quite some time. The Vision SLR concept was unveiled in 1999, just a few months after Mika Häkkinen had secured the partnership its first Formula One Championship. The production version of the SLR followed for the 2004 model year.

Rather than pursue all-out performance head-on, Mercedes-Benz and McLaren wanted a car that could easily outperform its competition while serving as a capable and luxurious high-speed grand tourer. For its part, AMG developed and assembled the model’s fire-breathing 626-horsepower supercharged V-8 and five-speed Speedshift automatic transmission. Sprinting from 0–60 mph takes just 3.8 seconds, leading to a quarter-mile time of just over 11 seconds and a 206-mph top speed.

To rein in this prodigious speed, the SLR is equipped with Mercedes-Benz’s Sensotronic “brake by wire” system, along with carbon-ceramic disc brakes and an automatic air brake. These systems working in unison can bring the car to a screeching halt from 120 mph in less than 240 feet. Endowing the SLR with exceptional handling, engineers moved the V-8 as far back as possible into the carbon-reinforced-plastic monocoque chassis, giving the car near-perfect weight distribution.

THE SLR ROADSTER

To ratchet up the excitement of the SLR even further, the convertible roadster was introduced in 2007. Fortuitously, the ascendant McLaren-Mercedes Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton helped publicize the new model; in November 2008, just a few months after customer deliveries began, he claimed the first of his seven Drivers’ Championship titles, and the most recent earned by a McLaren driver. Just 670 examples of the SLR McLaren Roadster were produced between August 2007 and May 2009.

Delivered new to Mercedes-Benz of Oklahoma City on 29 February 2008, this US-market SLR Roadster is presented in the absolutely stunning color combination of Crystal Covelline Blue Metallic (001U) over a custom polychrome leather interior. Factory specifications contributing its original MSRP north of $514,000 include a two-tone steering wheel, dark grey fabric top, XL-size seats, gold brake calipers, and carbon fiber trim.

Under previous ownership, this SLR was further upgraded with an ECU performance chip and sports exhaust system from Hartmut Feyhl’s RENNtech in Studio City, California. Adding to its appeal, the car currently indicates fewer than 15,050 miles at time of cataloguing.

Showing a history of regular dealer-provided servicing since new, this SLR Roadster is an exemplar specimen of the famous—and only—roadgoing model developed between three titans of motorsport: Mercedes-Benz, AMG, and McLaren.