The Ultra-Rare SLR McLaren MSO You’ve Never Heard Of

It is understood that just 25 examples of the SLR McLaren were converted by MSO to ‘Edition’ specification, and only six of those are believed to have been the Roadster model. Alongside the obvious aerodynamic bodywork modifications, eye-catching side-exhaust exhausts and revised interior, McLaren Special Operations (MSO) also fitted upgraded suspension, applied a custom engine tune, and modified the steering setup. This original UK-market car was originally delivered in Crystal Laurite Silver paintwork, with ‘Silver Arrow 300 SL’ red leather, and was handed over to its owner in September 2007 at the SLR Centre of Excellence at Mercedes-Benz Brooklands.

The car returned to McLaren in January 2009, when an agreement was signed to convert the car to the latest ‘McLaren Edition’ specification. This included a full repaint in Alabaster White, red enamel badges on both sides and the boot lid, red ‘tick’ wheel centres, the 722 Edition aerodynamic package, 722 tinted lights, and the 722S model alloy wheels. Inside, raised seat fronts were installed, a bespoke ‘McLaren Edition’ badge was applied to the radio cover, and carbon kick plates were fitted. Finally, a louder sports exhaust was installed, and the revised suspension settings were also requested.

In 2010, further upgrades were installed by MSO, which included the front wheel arch vents, carbon-fibre door mirrors, and repainted brake callipers in a vibrant red hue. The seats were re-trimmed to McLaren’s latest specifications, and a carbon-fibre steering wheel was also fitted. In total, the ‘McLaren Edition’ conversion works to this car came to £106,831. More recently, the car has been repainted once again, this time to lustrous grey hue. In the sunlight, this colour reflects specks of gold and reds, representing McLaren’s chosen colour for this Edition. A plaque mounted behind the gear lever denotes that this is ‘001’ of the limited run of just 25 SLRs converted by MSO.

Today, this SLR McLaren presents in superb condition, and is comfortably one of the most aggressively styled roadsters. The glossy grey paint finish is in excellent order, with the seller noting only one of or two very minor blemishes that will be rectified prior to handover with some professional polishing and paint correction. The exterior theme is beautifully resolved, with the red enamel ‘McLaren’ badges and the brake callipers perfectly complementing the bright red elements of the cabin. Its aerodynamic body kit gives the car a huge road presence, but of course also adds a genuine performance improvement. It rides on the 19-inch 722 Edition style alloy wheels finished in a satin dark grey, which are all pristine with no damage.

Inside, the lightweight bucket seats are upholstered in a combination of red leather for the bolsters and headrests, and black synthetic suede for the centre panels – accented by a grid of red stitching. Red leather also clothes the transmission tunnel, the horizontal dashboard strip, and the inner door panels, while there carbon of the seats and steering wheel is also extended to the centre console and gear lever surround. The trim presents as new throughout, and certainly stands well apart from the standard specification of the SLR McLaren.

This SLR has comprehensive main dealer history, with the first three services carried out at the SLR Centre of Excellence at Mercedes-Benz Brooklands, and thereafter maintained by a Mercedes-Benz main dealer. Its last scheduled oil service was in July 2020 at 1,685 miles, and prior to this it received a major service in May 2018 at 1,663 miles with renewal of the fuel filter, air filter, brake fluid, and poly V-belt.

Its most recent MOT test was on 9 July 2020 at 1,685 miles, which resulted in a first-time pass with no advisories. While the car evidently has remarkably low mileage, it has been exercised regularly from new, and has been put through nine MOT tests over the last 10 years. The wheels are shod in Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres, which are all in superb condition with around 7mm of tread.

Accompanying the car are the original books, including the stamped service history record that logs the visits summarised below. The appropriate McLaren-related registration ‘OO57 MCL’ is included in the sale.

This Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Edition Roadster is a sensational bespoke supercar, which has been refinished to a stunning specification by MSO, and presents in pristine order throughout with little more than running-in mileage on the chassis and engine. For someone seeking an altogether rarer breed of convertible in which to enjoy the rest of the summer months, there are few more attention-grabbing supercars than the McLaren Edition models – and being number 001 of just 25 built makes this all the more significant.

Summary of service history:

• 18/09/2008 – 599 miles (Mercedes-Benz Brooklands)
• 02/07/2010 – 702 miles (Mercedes-Benz Brooklands)
• 31/01/2012 – 1,074 miles (Mercedes-Benz Brooklands)
• 10/07/2014 – 1,351 miles (Mercedes-Benz main dealer)
• 24/05/2018 – 1,663 miles (Mercedes-Benz main dealer)
• 30/07/2020 – 1,685 miles (Mercedes-Benz main dealer)