Mercedes-McLaren collaboration grand tourer — supercharged V8, carbon construction and the rarefied Stirling Moss roadster.
Built at McLaren's Woking facility for Mercedes-Benz between 2003 and 2010, the SLR used a hand-assembled 5.4-litre supercharged AMG V8 producing 617 bhp (later 650 bhp in the 722 Edition), routed through a 5-speed automatic to a carbon-fibre bodyshell on an aluminium spaceframe. Total production across coupe, Roadster, 722 Edition, 722 S Roadster and the open-cockpit Stirling Moss derivative was approximately 2,150 cars.
The Stirling Moss closed the run in 2009 with 75 examples, no windscreen, no roof and a body inspired by the 300 SLR — production was strictly capped and every car was allocated to existing SLR owners.
Mercedes-McLaren engineering collaboration of its era and the bridge between AMG V8 supercharged engineering and the modern hypercar generation.
| Variant | Years | Production | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLR Coupe | 2003–2007 | Not separately recorded | 617 bhp; majority of production. |
| SLR Roadster | 2007–2009 | Not separately recorded | Folding cloth roof; same powertrain as coupe. |
| SLR 722 Edition | 2006–2007 | 150 | 650 bhp; revised suspension; named for Stirling Moss's 1955 Mille Miglia number 722. |
| SLR 722 S Roadster | 2009 | 150 | Roadster-bodied 722 specification. |
| SLR Stirling Moss | 2009 | 75 | No windscreen, open cockpit; allocated to SLR owners. |
The models below represent the most significant limited and special edition variants — factory-produced cars that command meaningful premiums over standard examples and warrant specific attention from serious collectors.
Start with identity, paperwork and originality. For the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, the strongest cars have continuous ownership history, matching numbers where applicable, original books and tools, factory build documentation and evidence of work by manufacturer-approved specialists. 722 Edition badge, Stirling Moss provenance, original paint, low mileage and continuous main-dealer service.
Hand-built supercharged M155 V8 is robust but service is Mercedes / McLaren-specialist only; carbon-ceramic brakes and exhaust system are the recurring service items. A proper pre-purchase inspection includes cold-start behaviour, ECU diagnostics and fault-code history (where applicable), leak-down or compression testing, underbody photography, suspension and chassis inspection, brake condition and a long enough road test to expose heat-related faults. Deferred maintenance on a car of this class is almost always more expensive than buying a better-sorted example.
Use a paint-depth gauge, lift access and a specialist familiar with the model's factory panel gaps and finish standards. Collector value is dramatically affected by structural repairs, refinished panels, poor paintwork and missing factory trim or option content. Documented cosmetic refresh is acceptable; concealed accident or fire damage must be priced severely.
722 Edition, Roadster and Stirling Moss derivatives are the strongest collector cars; standard coupes offer the most accessible entry. Specification, colour, options and limited-build variants move values significantly. Buy the best-documented example in the most desirable specification you can justify, rather than a tired example of a rarer derivative that will need years of corrective work.
| Date | Auction | Car | Mileage | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-16 | Mecum Indianapolis | 2009 SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster McLaren Edition (Lot S300) | — | $715,000 Sold |
| 2026-04-24 | Bonhams The Monaco Sale | 2009 SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster (Lot 138) | — | €709,550 Sold |
| 2026-02-27 | RM Sotheby's Miami | 2009 SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster (Lot 189) | — | $830,000 Sold |
| 2026-01-28 | RM Sotheby's Paris | 2009 SLR McLaren Stirling Moss (Lot 131) | — | €3,070,625 Sold |
| 2025-05-24 | Broad Arrow The Villa d'Este Auction 2025 | 2007 SLR McLaren 722 Edition (Lot 233) | — | €568,750 Sold |
Late McLaren-Mercedes collaboration with distinct collector hierarchy; 722 and Stirling Moss derivatives are blue-chip, standard cars are firming.
Our view, not advice. This section is Car Collector International's editorial judgement on where this model sits in the collector market, based on the production, specification and market data set out in this guide. It is not a recommendation to buy or sell and it is not investment advice. Values can fall as well as rise.
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The valuation figures in this guide are for research purposes only and do not constitute financial or investment advice. See our full disclaimer.
