The SL73 Quicksilver: Brunei’s Custom V12 Roadster by Pininfarina
Royal Obsession - In the world of exotic cars and royal indulgence, few stories are as fascinating as the quiet intersection of cutting-edge design and opulent exclusivity. Imagine a car that’s not just rare, but nearly mythical—a one-off masterpiece born from the creative genius of Pininfarina and built exclusively for one of the most extravagant car collectors in history. That car is the Royal Family of Brunei’s Mercedes Benz SL73 "Quicksilver", a bespoke automotive marvel that remains shrouded in mystery, luxury, and performance.
In 1996, His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei commissioned Pininfarina to recreate the Argento Vivo using a different platform, yet replicating the original Honda concept exactly, including the materials. (Picture from: PublicFotki)
To understand how this special roadster came into existence, we have to trace its roots back to the Argento Vivo—a stunning concept car born from a collaboration between Honda and the legendary Italian design house, Pininfarina. The Argento Vivo turned heads in the mid-1990swith its sleek curves, minimalist elegance, and futuristic presence. But while the concept was merely a design exercise for most, it became something more in the eyes of His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei. Intrigued by its style but not bound to Honda’s engineering, the Sultan envisioned a version of this car tailored to his own high standards.
Some say that Pininfarina built as many as five or six units of the Mercedes-Benz SL73 Argento Vivo for the Royal Family of Brunei.(Picture from: BenzWorld)
Instead of using the original Honda platform, he chose something more powerful and prestigious:the Mercedes-Benz R129 SL600. Already a rare and respected grand tourer in its own right, the SL600 served as the perfect base for what would become a completely reimagined machine. Pininfarina, known for shaping some of the most beautiful cars ever made, took this German chassis and transformed it into a near-exact replica of the Argento Vivo’s design. Every detail—from the fluid body lines to the advanced material choices—was preserved, blending Italian artistry with German engineering.
His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei’s Argento Vivo was built by Pininfarina on a brand-new Mercedes SL600 chassis. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)
What set the Brunei version apart, beyond its exclusive styling, was what lay under the hood. The car was fitted with a monstrous 7.3-liter M120 E73 V12 engine, the same powerplant found in the ultra-rare AMG SL73. This engine wasn’t just powerful—it was a beast. Delivering between 525 and 565 horsepower and a staggering 553 lb-ft of torque, it launched this roadster from 0 to 60 mph in just about 4.0 seconds, putting it in the same league as legends like the Lamborghini Diablo and Ferrari F40. And with a top speed surpassing 174 mph, the car was more than just a pretty face.
His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei’s Argento Vivo is powered by a 7.3-liter M120 E73 V12 engine, also used in the AMG Mercedes-Benz SL73.(Picture from: BenzWorld)
Despite its raw capabilities, what makes the Quicksilver even more intriguing is how little is known about it. Like much of the Sultan’s private collection, these cars live in a veil of secrecy. Only a handful—five or six at most—are believed to have been made. Four were reportedly built exclusively for the Royal Family of Brunei.
The Argento Vivo of the Royal Family of Brunei was significantly larger than the original Honda concept, yet could sprint from 0 to 60 mph in around 4.0 seconds and reach a top speed of over 174 mph. (Picture from: Supercars.net)
Today, it's said that at least two remain in their possession, while whispers suggest another one found its way to Monaco. There's even talk of a second, unfinished Honda-based conceptthat was eventually completed and now resides in the same European playground of the rich and famous.
The story of the SL73 Quicksilver isn't just about horsepower or head-turning design. It’s about the rare magic that happens when limitless resources meet unrestrained imagination. It's about a king’s vision turned into reality by one of the world’s finest design houses. And most of all, it’s about a car so rare and so exquisitely crafted that it seems to exist outside the ordinary timelines of automotive history—seen by few, remembered by fewer, and admired by all who know its name. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | HOTCARS | TOPSPEED | BENZWORLD | CLASSICDRIVER | MOTOR1 | CARSTYLING.RU | SUPERCARS.NET ]
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The SL73 Quicksilver: Brunei’s Custom V12 Roadster by Pininfarina
To understand how this special roadster came into existence, we have to trace its roots back to the Argento Vivo—a stunning concept car born from a collaboration between Honda and the legendary Italian design house, Pininfarina. The Argento Vivo turned heads in the mid-1990s with its sleek curves, minimalist elegance, and futuristic presence. But while the concept was merely a design exercise for most, it became something more in the eyes of His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei. Intrigued by its style but not bound to Honda’s engineering, the Sultan envisioned a version of this car tailored to his own high standards. 
To understand how this special roadster came into existence, we have to trace its roots back to the Argento Vivo—a stunning concept car born from a collaboration between Honda and the legendary Italian design house, Pininfarina. The Argento Vivo turned heads in the mid-1990s with its sleek curves, minimalist elegance, and futuristic presence. But while the concept was merely a design exercise for most, it became something more in the eyes of His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei. Intrigued by its style but not bound to Honda’s engineering, the Sultan envisioned a version of this car tailored to his own high standards. 
The story of the SL73 Quicksilver isn't just about horsepower or head-turning design. It’s about the rare magic that happens when limitless resources meet unrestrained imagination. It's about a king’s vision turned into reality by one of the world’s finest design houses. And most of all, it’s about a car so rare and so exquisitely crafted that it seems to exist outside the ordinary timelines of automotive history—seen by few, remembered by fewer, and admired by all who know its name. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | HOTCARS | TOPSPEED | BENZWORLD | CLASSICDRIVER | MOTOR1 | CARSTYLING.RU | SUPERCARS.NET ]
