McLaren Mercedes SLR HDK and the Mysterious Race Car That Inspired It | Henry Catchpole

McLaren Special Operations is the place you go to if your McLaren F1 needs a service or if want a particularly interesting paint job on your new Artura or Senna. However, there is another car that MSO also looks after and it’s a model for which there is a particular fondness: The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.
Launched in the era of supercars like the Porsche Carrera GT and Ferrari Enzo, the mad Super GT with the side exit exhausts and supercharged V8 has always been something of a curiosity. It wasn’t well received when the press first drove it (understandably), but with the benefit of time, views seem to have mellowed. The SLR has also seen numerous iterations over the years and now there is perhaps the best version of all: the HDK. Those letters stand for High Downforce Kit and the car has indeed been treated to a big wing and diffuser, but there is much more to it than that.
The inspiration for this limited edition (just 12 will be built) is the even wilder 722 GT prototype, a race car that was built under the gaze of Gordon Murray but which never raced. Rarely seen, we managed to get it into the studio for this film. The SLR did eventually go racing, but those cars, built by RML, were never quite as crazy or beautiful as this original prototype.
And now, 20 years later, there is a road-going version, with a paint job that might have leapt from a Disney Cars movie. It is an intentionally fun design that is meant to bring out the child in all of us and the SLR HDK is certainly a car that makes you smile when you get behind the wheel. It is intimidating and fast and yet also quite easy to drive thanks to its automatic gearbox and mountain of torque. There is both the sense that you’re driving something very close to a race car and yet also the feeling that you are in a GT, complete with corduroy upholstery on the bucket seats!
At the end of the day, the SLR HDK is really just a bit of fun. A bit of fun that is capable of over 200mph - a speed which this particular car has done on numerous occasions, because it has covered over 90,000miles as a pre production prototype (PP14). In previous lives it has been crashed and shaken on rigs and fitted with numerous bodywork and suspension upgrades, but now it has been adorned with hand-turned gold leaf (look closely at the numbers) and given to Hagerty to drive across snowy moorland roads.
We hope you enjoy the film. Is the SLR a car that you have always admired or been perennially baffled by? What livery would you paint on an HDK? Let us know in the comments down below.
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[@tommy7837]

I made all of the convertibles, and most of the end hardtops specials in the McLaren factory in Portsmouth. Always found it weird this was branded a Mercedes, we never even met that company. Unfortunately the company ended up moving production when they moved onto the next car, and all we got was a tiny carbon fibre keyring. Incredible pay and job perks though....

[@Ahmed90401]

What a story! Imagine how good that looks on a resume. You’ve lived, my friend.

[@carllindgren7130]

Awesome!

[@Way2EasyDIY]

Sure you did

[@HughesyTech]

Prove it then!

[@BooTub3]

@@Way2EasyDIY lmaoooo don’t be mad cuz you still working at McDonald’s

[@nicholasstocker8864]

I can’t believe the Mercedes SLR came out in 2003. It still looks beautiful 20 years later!

[@AuthorSaulAlan]

What a car 🙌🏻

[@larssonk22]

The McLaren Mercedes SLR was the car that made me fall in love with cars. It's still one of the most beautiful cars I've ever seen.

[@amazigh8776]

Same for me brother the same for me..

[@yousef.al-assaf]

Same here... This beast, the SL 65 black series, and the CLK 63 black series...

[@abhinav_bammidi]

The fact that I instantly recognized that the parts in the 722 Prototype were from an F1 GTR before they said it shows how iconic the F1 is.🤩🤩

[@sv9618]

He was really feeling himself with that absolutely hilarious corduroy quip

[@mariusradu55]

Missed opportunity, all they had to do is put in a manual transmission, make the steering wheel more interesting, and make the brakes a bit more usable. The looks were perfect in the standard car!

[@devandrasimanjuntak1646]

then it would not have been an HDK. Besides, as capable as the standard car was, I don’t think a manual belongs to an SLR. Not with that torquey supercharged V8 anyway.

[@heyhayhay247]

@@devandrasimanjuntak1646 because no big torquey V8 has a manual on the back of it?

[@andresluzunaris1084]

No car journalist can't produce a video like Henry. God bless you my friend. Keep doing the great work you only do. 👏🏽

[@nippon_san4]

When someone tells you that money 💰 can’t buy you happiness ,well that person doesn’t have good taste in cars ! Exquisite work like always guys,thanks ! I feel poorer financially but richer in feel as a car-man !

[@thebritishautochannel]

Brutal sounding machine 🎶

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

I'm glad these videos are here. It's the only way I'll ever get to see any of these cars.

[@kavishapathirana6475]

Well, you just got a new subscriber here today. I love the fact that you just don't read the catalogue, but feels the car and speaks about it. and of course yes, the car, what a machine.

[@tawaabgouhar1190]

I love seeing Henry on this channel now

[@JustinJadunath]

Absolutely gorgeous car. That MSO HDK is really one of the best iterations on the SLR that I have ever seen! Also, not only did Hagerty score Henry, but it looks like they grabbed his OG film crew, too! The scenery in this film was stunning, and so well framed!

[@rahulsudhir666]

There was another special version from MSO that Manny Koshbin has in his collection. Can't recall the model name but it came with fender louvers, a duck tail n directional wheels. I think it was based on a 722 too.

[@OCDRex11]

Great vid as usual Hagerty!!! Personally, I love the SLR and always have. When the 722 came to be I dug into the history of it back then and it was all very cool to learn. This pp14 is just as cool and I love every bit of the build. Beautiful scenery and filming on this one!

[@GaIvatr0n]

This is the best looking car I've seen in my life. The spec is out of this world. A close second is the Bugatti Rembrandt.

[@mrmatthewpaul]

I am amazed by the SLR. I have been in a hot lap in a SLR and it was able to do things I still don't understand how it did it. I am sure the newer super will leave it in the dust but none will look as cool as this and be as exciting to drive.. I only wish they update it to a newer faster transmission with even more gears to really show of that motor and make it and even nicer Grand Touring car. I wish I had the kind of money it would take to get someone to part with one of these or have them make me one.

[@TheAlphalimamike]

No words, amaizing.

[@kennygreg227]

Manny Koshbin needs to see this video and consider converting one of his SLR's to this beast.

[@rohansharma4832]

one of his slr is already at MSO being converted to hdk

[@Yahyamir23]

He's already sent one off he's made a few video on progress and specs aswell.

[@nastystew6942]

His should be done soon!

[@hakimdridah1711]

Thanks for that

[@benholman142]

Had the privilege of seeing this in the metal today! What a machine !

[@PlayinWithMahWii]

Love the Ultrawide aspect ratio on this video!

[@steeven23]

You guys make the best car videos

[@gavsjay3101]

I still can remember when my dad got me a diecast model of the SLR for Christmas when I was small 😢❤

[@duanebacon9296]

i love it, pure and simple

[@longtailgt]

What a stunning video! And what a car! It's one of the most devilish sounding modern supercars I've heard, and comes across to me as if it doesn't take itself seriously. And in the mad world we live in, we need cars like these! (Although tbh I'd still rather have the standard SLR.)

[@hazemba2669]

BEST CAR EVER = MERCEDES SLR MCLAREN! My dream car 😍❤ All versions are wild!

[@nandusudheesh3656]

What a beauty😍

[@alwayslate1336]

I’ve never seen any other media on the 722 since Jeremy Clarkson’s DVD special. Well done 👏🏼

[@muhammadfadil2515]

Oh SLR, My love 😍

[@saqibabdulshahid6924]

O MY GAAAAADDDD 😍 THIS IS MOST BEAUTIFUL THINGS HAVE EVER SEEN

[@henriyoung3895]

Good review

[@AErealm]

Wicked cool!

[@ardianpradana]

exquisite, perfect 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@WarriorsPhoto]

That's a beautiful Merc. I wonder if anyone will modify the AMG GT models like this?

[@shingiraichipara9302]

I second that

[@mattdedasc]

My old G Wagen had a version of this engine (M113K - this is an M115). What a thing. I miss it so much

[@jemery3]

Such a great video! Saw an slr sterling moss last year and it was 🔥🔥

[@prerit913]

Eyegasm and eargasm all at the same time

[@quackman]

11:09 Hmm, makes me think of the Stirling Moss edition, with its roof cut off and wild styling changes.

[@smallcityhomesteaders1600]

Man......yall do a good jod eh.....i love this stuff!

[@TAYOTAS]

This is a legendary car

[@Lambullghini]

Henry!!!! Yes!

[@tristinelse1251]

Wow this filming is crazy

[@georgef1176]

I love it!

[@Drzinqzee]

Henry, please tell me where you go to film these videos… every video looks like a petrolheads paradise 😍

[@authorizedplayer]

Sweet monster!

[@finaltouchautodetailingllc]

Not this upgrade ,but the first super car I ever got to drive was an SLR, amazing machine, after that I was in love. All I could think about for a while was how it would be to drive a 722 SLR

[@tpp4007]

Manny Khosbin just got this car back

[@MrTheTrafalgar]

Amazing video from Henry and team. Thanks!

[@anthonyfigueroa7869]

Awesome ☆☆☆☆☆

[@Nickgensh]

Manny Khoshbin has one of these coming to his collection

[@siddharthjodh]

Love the car

[@mahdihassan523]

Nice

[@nbgreen02]

We are about to get back the good car channel!!!!!!!!! Yay!!!!!!!!

[@titaniummechanism3214]

I prefer the MSO version as it appeared on Harrys Garage. Much more subtle, yet with all the new MSO improvements. A fantastic car, but not fit for a wild design such as this one in my opinion.

[@malcolmjcullen]

It's a real life Hot Wheels toy for a billionaire.

[@dr80008]

Exactly. That deep green SLR MSO was its true final form. Unlike whatever this is. But I'm sure boomers will appreciate their nascar referencing / fake fighterplane skin liveries.

[@titaniummechanism3214]

@@dr80008 I can kinda see the appeal of the fighter plane look, after all it almost sounds like one. But that bright blue is a bit much for my taste.

[@aaarggh]

I have a huge soft spot in my heart for the baby blue car / white wheels / massive spoiler combo - it's certainly not for everyone, but I absolutely love it. The only thing I would change is removing the stickers.

[@mbizozo6271]

Ahh, this is the car Manny is getting.

[@swisscarsightings]

Manny Koshbin need to add this to his collection asap!

[@MrLlama-rc8nj]

Love the SLR so much that V8 makes such a dirty noise it's amazing

[@993isgawd]

It's definitely neat-looking. But when the vid first started I couldn't decide if the exhaust sounded like a prop crop duster plane or a UPS delivery van in need of a tuneup.

[@brdllc]

That’s what all the AMG and Audi v8s sound like for the most part for whatever reason. Sounds like a tiger growling through a big fan

[@brucemacdonald5532]

Still worthy of any bedroom wall even today! 😎

[@hardyk2010]

You have Henry & Jason now??? Y'all gonna win.

[@Baltzy24]

Thank god for videos shot in 21:9

[@mickwrinkles2318]

I wonder if it would be possible to do a manual conversion on these.

[@thenotanclan]

Love the way he even changed his watch strap to match the car colour for this film - that’s dedication for your job - gotta respect that

[@baileybrewer1172]

Love the HP/Displacement hand painted on the fender. Reminds me 50’s/60’s race cars.

[@thegirthquake8574]

Henry you sneaky genius-- did you coordinate your watch strap with the car color?

[@07swebb]

I was a Bicester heritage last year when they launch this car and had a good 1 hour with chat with Thomas Reinhold who developed the car the lines just work with the HDK

[@MRVSKIN]

Absolutely beautiful video and what a car. Best video of 2023 so far by a long long long way

[@blueovalboy]

Best looking Chrysler Crossfire to date

[@Sanghowala]

Indeed a missed opportunity.. SLR 🙌

[@Psychedelic-Playground]

I need this in my life. I never knew this existed. Its epic.

[@sps5005]

SLR ❤

[@TheBaldMiddleAgedMetalHead]

The sooner people realise it doesn't matter what gear that car is in the engine is going to pull through it. Just leave the old Mercedes slush boxes in auto whenever you have an M117, M113, M113K, M155 or M156 V8 engine of the era. It's not a Porsche flat six you don't need to rev the bollocks off it everywhere to make power. Just let the car do its thing and drive using the torque of the motor.

[@williamfernandini967]

Mr manny koshbin got his white one and it's sick and the sound is brutal. Don't know why DDE doesn't have one

[@AnilPrabha]

Absolutely brilliant content.

[@The_Hi_Life]

Taking a concerto, and making it into a symphony. Truly an amazing machine. 👏

[@ezpz4659]

There are a lot of TCU tunes for these cars than help the trans to shift VERY VERY FAST

[@mohmoudfarah1897]

I agree with you, it is a lovely car.

[@patbrady4147]

Can't wait for Manny to take delivery of his

[@paulmurden7621]

No one and I mean no one, does videos like Henry. Chapeau.

[@djlevijuice]

Props to the sound engineer the mix is fireeeee

[@km6832]

Do a video on mso slr restos

[@silv3rArrow]

I somehow feel this version of the SLR should have had a transmission makeover. A race car inspired makeover that drives best left in auto is contradictory. Perhaps a sequential gearbox would be too much but an SLS/AMG GT gearbox...would be amazing.

[@dkjoses12]

Henry putting out amazing content

[@ezpz4659]

My CLS55 AMG 2006 is so fucking nice. I LOVE IT TO DEATH. 600 HP, RELIABLE. Tuned, Cooling mods. My intake air temps stay near 100f ! With a small pulley on the supercharger. AMG is the best company. God bless and happy new year!

[@joetacchino4470]

Not gonna lie, with that blue paint and stickers, it kinda reminds me of a character from the movie Cars. The displacement on the front fender reminds me of the “Twin H Power” on Doc Hudson. 😅 I SWEAR I said that before he showed The King. 😅

[@jonhill9564]

Support

[@sohaibobeidat5906]

قناة أكثر من رائعة وأناس رائعين ولهم خلفية تامة عن السيارات وتاريخها. مرسيدس أس أل آر 👍👍👍👍

[@MOSSFEEN]

Looks like it went through Halfords for the spoiler and stickers 🤣

[@purwantiallan5089]

The SLR McLaren HDK is absolute masterpiece. Shame it wasnt raced due to variety of misfortunes like XJ13.

[@dammyo6010]

Anyway to find out what that song at the end is called?

[@markpass4215]

Manny Khoshbin on the list 😀

[@ramadhanisme7]

A well deserved ending for this pre production car

[@kentbeitel9966]

This might by my favorite slr Iv ever seen. I’m usually not a huge fan of them , but this one is gorgeous

[@MrOhirtenfelder]

Amazing video, as always!! Where was this shot? Those landscapes are so beautiful.

[@nhlanhlamasango2447]

Hey guys did Henry switch from carfection to here Anyways I'll follow him where ever he goes 💓

[@jamesj5469]

I wonder how long it takes to make a video like this

[@3n3ly7m9]

These should have came with a V12. I always thought that's what the SLR had in video games. Until I was older and looked them up, I was very disappointed.

[@ArjunGopinathan]

The video quality and cinematography is simply amazing. It's like watching a short film

[@mattnewman12345]

Surprised koshbin doesn't have this car