NEW YORK - In an exclusive offering featured in Saks Fifth Avenue's 2008 holiday catalog, Mercedes-Benz is giving shoppers the chance to own a piece of history on Nov. 20 by bidding on a McLaren SLR Roadster­-among the last of this model built for the U.S. market. The starting bid on the car is set at $529,500, and all additional funds raised above this amount will be donated to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's Thanks and Giving® campaign.

St. Jude's is a world-renowned pediatric cancer research center, dedicated to finding cures for juvenile cancer and other catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment over and above their own insurance coverage, if such coverage exists. No child is ever denied treatment because of the family's inability to pay.

The Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR Roadster will be offered via an exclusive online auction on November 20, 2008, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. EST.  Interested parties are invited to place their bid at http://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/17643.

The Mercedes McLaren SLR Roadster completes its limited production run with this unique SLR Roadster. Featuring a hand-built supercharged V-8 engine with 617 horsepower, retractable roof and top speed of 206 miles per hour, the SLR Roadster moves from 0 to 60 in 3.8 seconds. 

With special features such as carbon-fiber bodywork finished in bespoke SLR Sienna Pearl metallic paint, and a signature light brown leather interior, this is the only SLR in this combination destined for the United States. No other roadster brings together this level of interior detail, technology and performance. Through this exclusive auction co-producced with Saks Fifth Avenue, one passionate car enthusiast can own a piece of automotive history while supporting the lifesaving work of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, making this the perfect gift for the holiday season.

Click here to view this auction.