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Credit Glenn Dunbar/LAT Photographic

An ultra-quick Mercedes convertible owned by Britain’s most recent Formula One world champion is for sale on Auto Trader.

Damon Hill was the first owner of this top-spec Mercedes-Benz SL 55 AMG, which is powered by a 5.5-litre V8 engine producing 510bhp and 531lb/ft of pulling power.

This means acceleration from 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155mph.

But with the limiter removed, the Merc will knock on the door of 200mph.

Inside, the German motor is stacked with gadgets including sat-nav, telephone, electric windows and massaging leather seats, while the roof is electronically operated.

Safety features include all-round airbags, traction control, anti-lock brakes and sports seats. 

Rolling on 19-inch alloys, the SL – which cost more than £100,000 new – has the full AMG bodykit with sculpted bumpers and side skirts along with Mercedes’ iconic long bonnet.  

Damon Hill is one of racing’s best-known faces. In the mid-Nineties he was renowned for his battles with Michael Schumacher, who famously rammed Hill off the track in the 1994 championship finale in Adelaide.

Hill was the runner-up in 1994 and 1995, but got his own back in 1996, finally winning the championship. 

His father, the late Graham Hill was also an F1 world champion, winning in 1963 and 1968. 

It’s not the first car we’ve featured on Auto Trader with an F1 background. We’ve featured former champ Alain Prost’s awesome Ferrari F40 and Eddie Jordan’s Aston Martin.

Now you can get your hands on Damon Hill’s old Mercedes – which has a full Mercedes service history and has covered 68,000 miles – for £38,990.

Auto Trader links:

We chat to Damon Hill
Keith Collantine's Trackside