This particular example has covered just 93 miles from new.
With just 75 in existence, the Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss is one of the rarest supercars of the 21st century. They don't come up for sale very often, but when they do, collectors sit up and pay attention – particularly if they boast very few miles and are in flawless condition.
RM Sotheby's will soon have the privilege of auctioning off this masterpiece via a sealed auction in Paris, France, where the vehicle is expected to fetch between $3,250,000 – $4,350,000. Designed by Yoon Il-hun, this retro delight was styled after the legendary 300 SLR that Sir Stirling Moss piloted to victory during the 1955 Mille Miglia.
Fittingly, the wheeled tribute was named in honor of the late racing legend, and, like its forbearer, the SLR Stirling Moss sacrificed a few creature comforts in the pursuit of weight saving and performance.
The SLR Stirling Moss is one of the most dramatically-styled vehicles ever to have worn the three-pointed star. Without a roof or windscreen, there's nothing to dampen the visceral driving experience afforded by the roofless beauty. Under that long, sculpted hood lives a supercharged 5.5-liter V8 engine with 641 horsepower and 604 lb-ft of torque.
Weighing in at just over 3,400 lbs, the Stirling Moss was relatively lightweight and could rocket to 62 mph in 3.5 seconds. A top speed of 220 mph was also offered, but you might want to put on a pair of good-quality goggles before attempting that.
While it sounds vicious and unforgiving, Mercedes blessed the SLR Stirling Moss with civilized features like an automatic gearbox, leather upholstery, and climate control.
This particular model has lived a very pampered life from new and, during its 13-year life, has covered a mere 93 miles. While it's always sad to see a vehicle like this stashed away and barely driven, we're guessing the new owner will be delighted by this.
Delivered to Germany when new, the vehicle has remained with one keeper ever since and is now ready to hit the road and be enjoyed. Interestingly, Mercedes built just 75 examples of the SLR Stirling Moss and offered the vehicle exclusively to customers who already owned a regular Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.
While the original sticker price of more than $1 million might have seemed outlandish back then, it's clear that the SLR Stirling Moss was an excellent investment for the original owner.
Misunderstood by some when new, the SLR Stirling Moss undoubtedly kicked off the speedster craze, with high-end automakers like McLaren, Ferrari, and Lamborghini all launching their own in the past decade or so. McLaren's Elva is a prime example, although it's far more at home on a racetrack than the SLR Stirling Moss is.
Today, Mercedes-Benz doesn't make anything near as exciting as this ultra-rare beauty. The new SL 63 is a step in the right direction, but Stuttgart needs a true halo car to show the world what it's capable of. We might see something like the Stirling Moss again, as Mercedes teased the Mythos SL last year. Interestingly, it, too, appears to have been inspired by the original 300 SLR, with gorgeous flying buttresses and a roofless design.
If you're interested in the SLR Stirling Moss, the sealed auction will occur between January 31 and February 8.
Keyword: Exquisite Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss Is A Must-Have For Serious Collectors