In one corner you have the builder of the rarest, fastest cars of the 1990s – one that is still amongst the most valuable ever made. In the other, you have the firm that virtually invented the modern automobile, as well as the safety standards that protect us every time we drive. And of course, the first true supercar of the 1950s, a gullwinged masterpiece. Put them together and what do you get?

You end up with the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren – a stonkingly fast grand tourer that was produced in limited numbers from 2003 to 2010. And fast is the operative word here – with 617bhp from its handbuilt 5.4-litre supercharged V8 the SLR would accelerate from rest to 100kph in a mere 3.4 seconds. With an advanced carbon-fire reinforced plastic body keeping weight down, the SLR could achieve a top speed of 208mph (334kph) – impressive numbers, even by today’s hypercar standards.

Now take that impressive recipe, add some maraschino cherries on top and you have our stunning 722 Edition. In this case, 722 refers not the horsepower but to the starting number of Stirling Moss at the Mille Miglia in 1955, when he achieved his famous record-shattering victory behind the wheel of a 300SLR.

Not that the SLR is lacking in motive force: with some deft recalibration the 722 puts out 650bhp, drops 44kg in weight, features sharper steering and suspension, lighter wheels and improved aero. Quick enough to satisfy any appetite, then.

Our immaculate GCC-spec, Kuwaiti-delivered 2007 example presents with an original 11,800km and a full dealer service history.