Final Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss Speedster Heads to Auction
The last of 75 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss units produced is entering the auction market via RM Sotheby’s. According to reporting by Designboom, this Fire Opal Red speedster, built as a 2009 tribute to a legendary 1955 racing victory, features a 650-horsepower engine and a unique open-cockpit design that lacks a roof and windshield.
Context from Industry Pulse
The SLR McLaren Stirling Moss serves as a functional tribute to the 1955 Mille Miglia victory, marking the end of a specific collaborative era between Mercedes-Benz and McLaren. While modern supercars often focus on digital interfaces and climate-controlled cabins, this speedster intentionally removes primary structural elements like the roof and windshield to mirror the 1950s racing experience. By utilizing carbon fiber and a 650-horsepower V8, the design team translated historical aesthetics into contemporary performance metrics. This specific Fire Opal Red unit, previously owned by the Royal Family of Kuwait, highlights how bespoke colorways and ultra-low mileage can drive secondary market valuations toward the 6 million USD mark.
"Two sculpted humps rise behind the seats to give the car a profile that recalls the racing machines of the 1950s."
Designboom reports that the 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss was developed as a modern interpretation of the 300 SLR race car. The vehicle is characterized by its unusual proportions, featuring an exceptionally long hood paired with a short rear section. Its bodywork is constructed primarily from carbon fiber to maintain a lightweight profile. The exterior is defined by the absence of a roof and a conventional windshield, instead utilizing small transparent wind deflectors to offer minimal protection to the occupants. Other notable exterior features include upward-swinging doors and side-exit exhaust pipes located behind the front wheels.
The interior of the vehicle is highly visible due to its open configuration. As Designboom notes, this specific model features red leather seating with yellow stitching and a silver center console. Unlike the carbon fiber trim found in other units of the series, this car utilizes a woven material known as Alutex. It is also equipped with a Kenwood audio system. The design includes two sculpted humps behind the seats that incorporate protective roll hoops, a stylistic nod to 1950s racing machines.
Under the hood, the supercar is powered by a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 engine. This powertrain allows the vehicle to reach 62 mph in less than 3.5 seconds and achieve a top speed of 217 mph. Designboom indicates that this particular car was completed in December 2009 for the Royal Family of Kuwait and has only 32.9 miles recorded on the odometer. Its unique Fire Opal Red finish distinguishes it from the silver paint typically associated with the Mercedes-Benz racing heritage.
As the final unit of the limited 75-car series, the vehicle represents the conclusion of the partnership between Mercedes-Benz and McLaren. RM Sotheby’s estimates the value of the speedster will exceed 6 million USD at auction. The car remains a distinct example of automotive design, prioritizing a raw racing experience through its exposed seating and high-performance specifications.
The Industry Pulse Bottom Line
The auction of the final SLR McLaren Stirling Moss underscores the high market value for limited-run collaborations that blend historical racing heritage with modern carbon-fiber construction and unconventional, open-air design language.