The SL was launched in 1989 and Mercedes claims to have shifted 12,000 in the UK. This Silver Arrow Special Edition is one of the last of them all and for a 12-year-old car it looks pretty good. Mercedes and AMG have given it new bumpers, door mirrors, side skirts and those flashy 18-inch alloy wheels. It is a GT from the old school: wide, low and every bit a bedroom-wall dream.

One of the most striking aspects of the SL is its build quality. The latest generation of Mercs just can't match up to the SL's feeling of solidity. It may not be modern but it is very well built with top quality materials and fittings used throughout, as well as some neat detailing including a discreet glowing 'Silver Arrow' badge set into the kick plates.

Some of the dashboard ergonomics reflect the car's age: you can't read the petrol gauge or clock due to the steering wheel and the electric roof is slick but relatively crude compared with the SLK's folding job. The silver and black leather electrically-adjustable seats are of questionable taste, the colour scheme matched by the steering wheel and gear knob.

The 300bhp V8 delivers a Nascar-style exhaust note, a limited top speed of 155mph and vast reserves of overtaking grunt. The brakes have bags of feel and haul the considerable weight of the big Merc back to more appropriate speeds without a hint of fade whilst feeling reassuringly strong.

A mere 100 Silver Arrow special edition models are destined for the UK, the final production run having ceased in early July to make way for production of the new SL. The best has been saved for last. Literally.

Angus Fitton

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