The high-performance division of Mercedes-Benz, the renowned subsidiary AMG, has created some exceptional cars over the years.

Few have acquired such a unique reputation, though, as the extremely rare SL 65 AMG Black Series—widely regarded as the ultimate version of the R230-generation SL.

The attractive coupé was unveiled to widespread wonderment at Monterey Car Week in California in 2008, and immediately gained great acclaim—further to a degree of notoriety—as the most powerful road-going AMG car up to that point.

The Black Series was based on the SL 65, itself a muscular interpretation of the standard roadster, but featured an array of enhancements intended to add to the car’s desirability and performance.

These included a comprehensive weight loss regime thanks to the use of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic—notably replacing most of the body panels—resulting in a fixed roof being fitted in place of the convertible hard-top.

The only body components shared with the production SL...