Mercedes-Benz SL60 AMG

Produced between 1996 and 1998, the Mercedes SL60 was the rarest and most powerful of all the contemporary SL range. With a list price starting at £110,000, production was limited to just 1,000 examples of which only around 50 were in right-hand drive. Much more than a bored out SL500, it was given the full AMG treatment which meant bigger brakes, tuned suspension, discreet body-styling and enormous split rim alloys. At its heart was a fabulous AMG-tuned 32-valve six-litre V8 engine which officially produced 384bhp and 428lb/ft of torque so as not to overshadow the ‘in house’ V12 SL600, but independent tests showed that the real output was closer to 410bhp. Electronically limited to 155mph, it was actually capable of 185mph and could hit 60 in just 5 seconds.

A real Jekyll and Hyde machine, it is totally docile around town with a lovely supple ride but turns into a snarling monster when provoked, with racecar roadholding and a bellowing exhaust that makes your hair stand on end. Packed full of the luxuries you would expect in a £100k+ car, standard features include an electrically operated soft top, electric heated seats, 5-speed auto gearbox, air conditioning, multiple airbags, cruise control and a hidden roll-over bar that deploys automatically in the event of an accident.

First registered in December 1996, this particular SL60 has covered just 90,800 miles from new and comes with a full service history comprising 10 stamps to date, the last service being carried out only 1,000 miles ago which included a full brake overhaul with new discs and pads all round and new rear calipers. Equipment includes a smoked glass Panoramic hard top, heated memory front seats, rear seats, climate control, wind deflector, multi CD changer and rear parking sensors.

The current registered keeper acquired the car six years ago and paid £23,000 for it. The Brilliant Silver paintwork is virtually unmarked as is the black leather interior and the car is said to drive superbly with no faults. MOTd and taxed until April 2012, it comes with all its original handbooks and three sets of keys. This fabulous hot-rod will leave virtually every other car on the road trailing in its wake and looks outrageous value at the guide price suggested today. Go on, you only live once…