As the flagship of the R230 generation of Mercedes-Benz’s SL, the SL 65 AMG sat in an enviable position. Bestowed with an AMG-tuned 6.0-litre V-12 twin-turbocharged engine, it offered twelve-cylinder performance that rivalled competition from the likes of Bentley’s Continental GTC and the Ferrari California. The ideal autobahn cruiser, the SL 65 AMG was the industry gold standard for luxury convertibles and could easily serve as a daily driver should its lucky owner so desire, perfectly balancing performance and comfort.

Looking to up the performance ante towards the end of the R230’s production run, the engineers at AMG decided to put the SL 65 on a diet and see how much performance they could extract from their flagship offering. Dubbed the SL 65 AMG Black Series, this new car shared only the doors and side mirrors with its donor. The car’s hard-top convertible roof was replaced with a fixed roof, and all body panels were replaced with new carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic panels. The boot lid received a massive rear spoiler. Overall, the Black Series was an incredible 4.5 inches wider at the front and 4.1 inches wider at the rear, giving the car a much more menacing stance.

This particular SL 65 AMG Black Series presents beautifully, finished in the quintessential Paladium Silver over a Black Nappa interior trimmed in both leather and Alcantara. Showing less than 950 km from new, it goes without saying that it is in exceptional condition both inside and out. Built to European/R.O.W. specifications, as this car is, the SL 65 Black Series shed 340 pounds over the SL 65 AMG through the prolific use of carbon fibre, removing the side airbags and the standard electronic braking system, and fitting lightweight racing seats.

With 661 bhp and 738 foot-pounds of torque on tap, making this the most powerful Mercedes-Benz ever produced at the time, it goes without saying that the SL 65 AMG Black Series is an absolute blast to drive. Having been driven less than 950 km from new, this is an incredible opportunity to acquire a virtually as-new Black Series for the individual that missed out on acquiring one new a decade ago.