Our spies have lifted...
Our spies have lifted the lid on Mercedes-McLarenò€™s most sensational cabrio to date. The SLR is fast approaching the end of its seven-year lifespan and the Anglo-German partnership has no intention of letting the controversial supercar drive off quietly into the sunset.
It arrived in 1966...
It arrived in 1966, and the last of the 6,325 examples built rolled off the line in 1968.
However, while the Duetto name was dropped, the tiny two-seater Spider carried on, undergoing a number of makeovers before it was ditched in 1977.
In 1969 the Spiderð€™s pretty design was given a cut-off tail, and the final versions, which were reintroduced here in the Eighties, wore big plastic bumpers. The original car was fitted with a 108bhp 1.6-litre engine and came with a round tail, but the later Junior and 1750 Veloce featured 1.3 and 1.8-litre engines respectively.
An enthusiastic UK following ensures there are plenty around, and most parts are easily available, too. Condition varies, so itð€™s worth getting a specialist to check out any potential purchase.
Rust is the big headache, and cars with leaking roofs are likely to suffer from both corrosion and electrical gremlins, so beware. The best models sell for more than £10,000, but half that figure will buy you a presentable example, and values should reflect condition rather than age and mileage.