The end of an era: Mercedes-Benz and McLaren building last Anglo-Teutonic SLR super sports car

The last examples of the SLR – the super sports car designed by Mercedes-Benz and McLaren Automotive – are rolling off the assembly line now. The end of production is heavy with symbolism, as it also marks the finale of the partnership between the German and British companies, which spans 15 years and the highest levels of success on the Formula One circuit.

The modern SLR was intended as an homage to the legendary 300 SLR racecars of the 1950s. Commissioned by Rudolf Uhlenhaut, then head of passenger-car testing and racing-car development at Mercedes-Benz in 1955, it’s name stood for "sporty", "light" and "raceworthy.”

Famed drivers like Stirling Moss, Dennis Jenkinson, Juan Manuel Fangio and Karl Kling all competed in the original SLR. They tackled famed races like the Tourist Trophy in Northern Ireland and the two Italian classics: Targa Florio and the Mille Miglia.

The modern SLR launched in 2004 as a swing-wing coupé. All have been built by McLaren in Woking, England using know-how from F1 like carbon-fibre construction and a supercharged V8 engine from Mercedes’ performance arm, AMG.

From the start, the SLR was conceived as a limited time, limited production project. Mercedes says 2,000 have been produced, “substantially more than any other sports car in this elite category.”

Five variants have been rolled out – two coupés, two roadsters and finally the wild, open-top SLR Stirling Moss. Named for the famed race driver, it has no roof or windscreen and is limited to 75 examples. One of the Moss SLRs will be the last off the line later this month.

Mercedes say a special ‘SLR. CLUB.’ has been setup in Europe for owner of the retired sports car. It will not only provide service, but also arrange driving events at famed racetracks, participation in the Mille Miglia and tours of “the most picturesque routes in Europe.” There’s no word on a similar program on this side of the pond.

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