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Happy Newsletter Friday!🏎️

Step one: read everything. Step two: take a risk. Step three: fail, hard. Step four: try again, but smarter. Step five: stack your wins and invest every dollar like your life depends on it. If you can keep going when it gets tough, you’ll realize that true wealth isn’t just money: it’s vision, timing, and relentless execution. You can become someone in the world. This new version of you can have any car sitting in your garage, even a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.

Born from a partnership between Mercedes-Benz and McLaren Automotive, the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is a symbol of success. Introduced in 2003 and produced until 2010, the SLR (Sport Leicht Rennsport, or “Sport Light Racing”) was a futuristic blend of Formula 1 engineering and Mercedes luxury. It was conceived to honor the legendary 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR driven by Stirling Moss, a car that changed motorsport forever.

The “McLaren” part of its name speaks volumes. McLaren brought new aged racing DNA to the table. With a carbon-fiber monocoque chassis and wind-tunnel tuned aerodynamics, the SLR was nothing short of revolutionary. At its heart is a 5.4-liter supercharged V8 engine hand-built by AMG, producing 617 horsepower and 575 lb-ft of torque. The SLR has a 0 to 60 mph time of just 3.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 208 mph. Despite its grand touring luxury, it weighs in at a hefty 3,858 lbs, thanks in part to all that carbon fiber tech.

Back in 2003, the SLR McLaren started at $455,000, making it one of the most expensive production cars of its time. Today, its value has soared, with pristine models fetching $700,000 to over $1 million depending on condition and rarity. Limited-edition variants like the 722 Edition (honoring Moss’s 7:22am Mille Miglia start time) and the Stirling Moss Speedster command even higher figures, with the latter valued at over $3 million.

Only 2,157 units were produced globally, making it a rare gem. The U.S. leads in ownership numbers, followed by the Middle East, Germany, and the U.K. Culturally, the SLR became a pop icon featured in video games like Need for Speed and owned by celebrities like Jay Leno, Floyd Mayweather, and Michael Jordan. Its signature swing-wing doors and long hood are instantly recognizable even today.

This chart shows how the average resale value of the SLR McLaren has appreciated, especially for limited editions.

This pie chart shows which countries have the most SLRs on the road today.

You don’t stumble into greatness. You plan, you build, and you earn it. The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is more than a car, it’s a milestone. A reward for those who believed in themselves before the world did. Every curve of its body and roar of its engine is a reminder: there’s power in patience, and glory in grit. If you’re not there yet, don’t worry your chapter’s still being written. Just don’t stop turning the pages. Keep your eyes on the dream and your hands on the work. Let every setback sharpen your vision, not shake your purpose. When the day comes that you grip its steering wheel, you’ll know you didn’t just buy a car. You became the kind of person who could. Work hard, be proud of yourself and if you want a car like this someday, I’m rooting for you!