The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss was unveiled at the 2009 North American International Auto Show; a lightweight speedster variant of the SLR as potent in performance as it is arresting in appearance. Just 75 examples were built, offered exclusively to existing SLR owners as a modern homage to the exquisite 300 SLR that Stirling Moss campaigned to victory in the 1955 Mille Miglia.

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Rather like the 300 SLR, nearly all the creature comforts of the car it is based on were sacrificed in the pursuit of performance, aesthetics and extreme driver (and passenger) enjoyment. This even included the windscreen and roof, which not only adds to the visual drama but ramps up the intensity of the driving experience ten-fold. Indeed, when Car Magazine road tested the car in 2009, they likened the experience of full throttle acceleration to ?standing on the wingtip of a 747? and sighted the 0-100 km/h time of 3.5 seconds and top speed of 354 km/h achievable only by those ?whose neck muscles can bear it?. This level of performance is accomplished by utilising the same 641 bhp, 5.5-litre supercharged AMG V-8 that powers the SLR 722 Edition and pairing it with 200 kg of weight savings; achieved by adoption of the speedster style as well as the extensive use of carbon fibre for the bodywork, underside and new aerodynamic package.
This fantastic Stirling Moss edition left the factory in December 2009 as a European-specification exampl...