MercedesHeritage.com » Pre-War Mercedes (1900-1939)

Good Old “113658”

Roy Spencer — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 20:08:02 +0000

It's 1956 and you're a US serviceman stationed in Germany who requires a car. Most would consider a VW or another frugal choice for continental touring. David Keith opted for something slightly more interesting, a 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K Cabriolet C.

Looking back
David Keith’s $1,300 500K Cab C

(We bring you an extraordinary tale of owning a 500K in the ’50s as told by David Keith – ed)

“Sometimes, as with a beautiful woman, you don’t know what you have until you’ve lost it.”

In this instance, it was a car…a massive, black Teutonic symbol of the ascendant German power of the late 1930’s, with the classic, sweeping lines favored by the luxury car designers of that era. The long, slim hood with glinting exhaust stacks erupting from the side; the German silver radiator housing, wedge-shaped like a ship’s prow and bearing the world-famous three-pointed star; the bulging convexity of the front fenders; all spoke of power, declaring to all that this was a top predator in the automotive world, built with the engineering experience gleaned from its racing heritage.

This was not the sort of automobile, or its postwar equivalent, seen on the streets of Stuttgart in 1956, when there were still visible vestiges of the terrible toll American and British bombers took on the major cities of Germany. Although there were a few larger cars, average German citizens were still driving Volkswagens, or even BMW Isettas and Messerschmitt three-wheelers.

I was barely twenty-three when I arrived in Germany, and was car-crazy like most young men my age. The difference, in my case, was that instead of lusting for a current Ford or Chevy V-8, or a hot rod of earlier vintage, I constantly dreamed of finding and owning a full classic, which meant something from the 1930’s. I had already owned a ’36 Lincoln K limousine, but sold it when I entered the Army. One of my first excursions was to the marvelous Daimler-Benz museum in Stuttgart-Untertuerkheim, where I spent hours studying the great cars from every decade, dating back to the first powered vehicles invented by Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz. Most entrancing to me, however, were the 500 and 540K’s of the mid- to late-thirties. They had all the qualities that defined a full classic, in spades! I came away from that experience, promising myself that I wouldn’t return to the States from my tour of duty without doing my best to find one.

New MG TF was Keith's transportation to view the 'used' 500K in Basel, Germany.

Rumors of a 500K

Not many months had passed, when I heard through the grapevine that there was a car for sale in Basel, Switzerland that sounded like exactly what I was looking for! At that point, I had temporary custody of a ’54 MG TF that I purchased with money sent to me by an old girlfriend, who wanted a car that she and her sister could use to tour Europe. I was to deliver it to Cobh, Ireland in two months’ time, and was enjoying it to the fullest until then. On a weekend pass, I drove it to Basel, and rendezvoused with the owner, Paul Zinsstag. He was a retired art collector and dealer, and told me he had reluctantly decided to sell the car in question, because “It’s too sporty for me, at my age, and I’m getting arthritis in my elbow from driving with it sticking out the window!”

He took me to the warehouse where it had been placed in dead storage, the wheels suspended on jack stands. It was a 1935 Mercedes-Benz Cabriolet C, glossy black with a flawless, white, padded top, set off perfectly with landau irons. Sunlight streamed through the warehouse windows, bathing the front third of the car in light, while the rest of it receded into the gloom. I have the first photo I took of it at that time, and when I look at it, even now, a little frisson runs up my back as it brings back the thrill of discovery. This was it! This was the car of my dreams!

Purchased for $1,300
Serviced by Mercedes-Benz

I knew that Herr Zinsstag was a man of integrity, and took him at his word that the 500K was in good mechanical condition. Some people just exude honesty. My trust was later borne out, as you will see. I made a judgment call, and decided to buy the car without attempting to start it, fearing that I might do more damage than good in my efforts. The price was…..$1,300 USD, a figure hard to believe, now that we find ourselves in the twenty-first century! At that price, I decided I could afford to gamble. I engaged a towing service to take it to the railroad station, and place it on a flatcar. It was shipped by rail to the Mercedes factory in Untertuerkheim, where it was inspected, tuned, and pronounced ready for the road.

It was rather a shock when I first filled the cavernous gas tank, even though the PX gasoline was about twenty cents per gallon. My first long drive yielded an eye-popping seven miles per gallon, which shouldn’t have surprised me, given the 500K’s ponderous weight. Needless to say, I attracted a great deal of attention from my Army buddies when I pulled up to the barracks in that beast!

David Keith poses behind the 500K at the Separation Center in Fort Manmouth, NJ. He had just returned from his tour of duty in Germany. The rakish pre-war Mercedes-Benz suited Keith's vision of a "full classic."

I have a photo taken of me in uniform, behind the wheel with the top down, stopped on a country lane with an apple orchard in bloom as a backdrop. What a beautiful picture on a beautiful day. Life was good! I know that even more, today, from the perspective one gains after 78 years of living.

That is my favorite photograph, but my favorite experience was the day when I decided to take my baby onto the Autobahn, where I knew she’d feel at home. With only 100 horsepower on tap, the acceleration was anemic. I pushed the accelerator pedal through the detent to the floor, and the kompressor cut in, sounding like a siren. I surged ahead, suddenly boosted by another 60 horses, and other cars scattered, not knowing what that hideous sound was! Before I knew it, the speedometer registered 160 kph, the equivalent of 100 mph. I had more on tap, but I was satisfied, and backed off, resolving not to push my luck in a car over twenty years old. Strange, how ancient the car seemed to me then…but that experience, today, would be like driving a car manufactured in the late 1980’s. Fifty-five years later, I feel like Rip van Winkle!

Keith's favorite image: Resting the big Merc on a country road with an apple orchard in the background.

Back to the States
Replaced by a new Porsche 356

June of 1957 rolled around, and it was time for me to take the long troopship voyage back to the States. I drove to Bremerhaven, and on the way, saw my first-ever Karmann-Ghia VW on the road, a car that still looks modern, today. I made arrangements for my acquisition to be shipped to Brooklyn in the hold of a vessel departing earlier than mine. I had heard horror stories about longshoremen stripping off any easily-stolen parts from cars thus shipped, so I removed everything I could think of, stowing vulnerable items like the hood ornament safely in my foot locker. Of course, the one thing I neglected to remove, the cigarette lighter, had been stolen by the time I arrived at the dock in Brooklyn from Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, where I was given my separation papers. I put in a claim for it, but it was a waste of time.

The drive back to my home in Brockton, Massachusetts was uneventful, but fun, with pedestrians and drivers constantly ogling my mount. Knowing that there would be no garage to keep it in, I had purchased a custom-made, all-weather cover, which I used faithfully as long as I kept the car.

I entered a couple of shows, picking up trophies along the way. I showed the car at the famous Larz Anderson Museum in Brookline, Massachusetts at one of their “lawn events”, where it was well-received. This was not a fully-restored, 100-point car, but was in the category of “survivor”, never having been given anything but routine maintenance by loving owners. I was never able to determine the chain of title prior to Paul Zinsstag’s ownership. At this late date, that is something that will never be known.

Where is 113658 today?

Now, comes the most painful part of this tale. Without the benefit of a crystal ball or the wisdom of a seasoned collector, I decided, after almost three years, that I needed more practical transportation. In spite of thirty-cent-per-gallon gasoline, I reasoned that I needed something more economical, while still being unusual and fun to drive. Yes, I didn’t really know what I had, as mentioned in the first paragraph. Little did I know that, by the mid eighties, I could have sold this car for enough money to fund my retirement at the age of fifty! In fact, long after I had virtually doubled my original investment by selling to a motel owner in Connecticut (name no longer known) in 1959 and bought a new, ruby-red Porsche 356A Normal Coupe, my best friend showed me a full-page ad from the Wall Street Journal. It was a Mercedes-Benz ad, touting the longevity of their cars. The featured car they used as an example was identical to my 500K in every detail…. although fully-restored….that had just auctioned at Christie’s for one million dollars! I needn’t mention that I’ve never completely recovered from that trauma. How could a best friend be so mean?

Postscript:

David Keith is searching for his old 500K and would welcome any leads as to the whereabouts of the car. He came tantalizingly close to finding it some years ago. “I finally met a gentleman from North Carolina who owned an identical car, for which he was asking $475,000, and would take 350. Because he was aware of my aircraft brokering activities, he asked me to find a buyer for his car. Through my efforts to advertise it in Europe, I heard from a man in Germany who was starting a new museum and was very familiar with the classic car milieu on his side of the Atlantic. I told him of my fruitless search, and gave him the serial number. Several months later, I was astounded to hear from him that he had found the car, and that it was back in Germany, being stored there, in Landshut, for a Swiss owner.” Keith arranged a trip to Landshut to see “his” car once again. Just before leaving Florida, I was surprised by an urgent e-mail from my German friend, saying that the man who had custody of the car had just died, and persons unknown had come and taken it away. No further information was available. Once again, I was frustrated in my search, when I had been so close!”

View our pre-war Mercedes-Benz listings.

View our pre-war Mercedes-Benz videos.

Photography and text from Mr. David Keith

Recommended Reading:

Mercedes-Benz The Supercharged 8-Cylinder Cars of the 1930s by Jan Melin ISBN: 91-87036-00-2

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Monterey 2011 Images

Roy Spencer — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:58:39 +0000

The sights and sounds of the entire Monterey 2011 week are difficult to describe. Each year seems to be a "you had to be there" experience. Jaw-dropping machinery was lurking on every available square foot of manicured lawn, not to mention casually parked around Carmel and Monterey. 2011 was another memorable year.

Monterey 2011
Visual Delights

Not every automobile loving soul can make the trip to the paradise that is the Monterey Peninsula’s week long automotive nirvana. Simultaneously decadent, ostentatious, highly educational and exhausting, Monterey Week is ultimately indescribable. We take from it what most appeals to our individual tastes.

For those not able to make this year’s events we’re happy to treat you to a vicarious trip through the week. You’ll see images from Legends of the Autobahn, The Pebble Beach Tour, Pebble Beach Concours, Mercedes-Benz Classic Center and the auction houses. Enjoy our slide presentation. Use the four arrow icon in the lower right corner of the slide viewer to expand the images full size. There are some stunning images.

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Please comment on this slide show below.

Pebble Beach Concours 2011

Roy Spencer — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:24:59 +0000

Mercedes-Benz' year-long 125 year celebration arrived at Pebble Beach overlooking a placid Monterey Bay August 21, 2011. Gray weather never succeeds in damping the brilliant display of cars, those of the Silver Star or otherwise. The raw mechanicals above courtesy of the Blitzen Benz

Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
Mercedes on display

By the time the apex of the frenetic Monterey week is reached Sunday, eyes are bleary, wallets are growing ever thinner and bank accounts have suffered substantially. However, all the auction results, overpriced chic events and non-stop posing fade to background noise once Sunday morning arrives. It’s then time for THE global concours event – Pebble Beach.

Hardcore enthusiasts arrive well before 7 am to view the cars rolling onto the lawn under Pebble’s typically grey gloom. After a reprimand from a CHP officer for daring to try stepping out of my cab above the Lodge, I leap out a few hundred feet further up the road as the cabbie slows to about 6 mph. The enormous crush of cars was was being hustled in an endless loop through the forest that made no sense at all.

Clear of the cab and with no damage I made may way past the stream of glorious entrants serenely idling, overheating or silently rolling down the final stretch of asphalt before entering the lush green 18th fairway. The selection of cars is jarring in an electrifying manner. It’s what Pebble’s organizers strive for all year and is what sets the event apart from any other. There were about 39 Mercedes on the field this year and we present most of them below. This group of images provides a good opportunity to learn about the cars, particularly the pre-war models.

If you wish to buy high resolution prints from our collection of Monterey Week images, visit Classic Motoring Images.

1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K Mayfair Roadster Special Roadster.

1969 Mercedes-Benz 600 Presidential Landaulet

1939 Mercedes-Benz S Erdmann & Rossi Cabriolet. Unusual coachwork featuring many styling ques later found in the 500/540K cars.

1936 Mercedes-Benz 290 Cabriolet A. You see all the 500/540k styling cues in this 290. It appears much as a 7/10s scale 540k roadster.

1956 Mercedes-Benz 300Sc Cabriolet.

1963 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster. This is the best of the best in a 300SL roadster - last year, disc brakes, alloy block and an extensive group of accessories and documentation. The Frank and Beverly Spellman roadster.

The Spellman roadster deserves another look.

1928 Mercedes-Benz S Murphy Roadster. This car was sold last year at Gooding almost to the day in unrestored condition for north of $3m. Now in black with nickel plated brightwork, the hot rod S looks smashing.

1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing.

1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster.

1922 Mercedes 28/95 HP Targa Florio Race car.

1929 Mercedes-Benz S Tourer.

1943 Mercedes-Benz 770K Pullmann Limousine. Thomas Taffet purchased this 770K - the last 770 constructed - post sale last year at Gooding and embarked on a full restoration, a super human effort in just 365 days.

1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing. This was one of the first Gullwing entrusted to the European press corps. The legendary Bill Boddy was one such scribe.

1927 Mercedes-Benz S Rennwagen.

1915 Mercedes 28/60 HP Towncar.

1929 Mercedes-Benz S Erdmann & Rossi Cabriolet.

1904 Mercedes 28/32 HP Rear Entrance Tonneau.

1911 Benz 200 HP "Blitzen Benz."

1962 Mercedes-Benz 300SL noted in the catalogue as an alloy(?) Roadster.

1931 Mercedes-Benz 370S Mannheim Cabriolet(?)

1929 Mercedes-Benz 710 SS Touringwagen.

1934 Mercedes-Benz 380K Zapon Roadster.

1928 Mercedes-Benz SS Tourenwagan.

1908 Mercedes-Benz 150 HP Race Car.

1927 Mercedes-Benz SSK Open Two Seater.

1963 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster. The first MB painted (467)tunis beige!

1906 Mercedes 120 HP Grand Prix.

1908 Benz Grand Prix.

1911 Mercedes 50 HP Maythorn Five Passenger Tourer.

The year's poster car, the Moss/Jenks SLR may never travel abroad again. We hear it will rest safely and permanently in Germany due to its massive value.

View our 2011 Monterey Photo Essay.

View our 2011 Monterey Action results.

Roy Spencer, editor Mercedes-Heritage.com
Photography from MercedesHeritage.com

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Auction Action: Monterey 2011 Results

Roy Spencer — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 21:07:05 +0000

The auction houses were again competing on style, substance and sales totals in Monterey. Gooding & Co's ex-George Whittell Jr. Duesenberg Model J Murphy coupe in the foreground sold for $10m.

Monterey 2011
Auction Results

The results are in and we can now stand back absent the auction hoopla and ponder some sales figures relative to the observed condition of many of the offerings. While it was impossible to personally inspect all the Mercedes-Benz offered, those lots that I did make notes on provide interesting reading.

All the results reflect the ‘buyers premium’ which averages about 10%. And keep in mind that while the buyer is asked top pay 10% OVER the ‘hammer’ price, the seller is paid about 10% BELOW the hammer price. I have added the selling price to each lot below and when applicable, my notes and observations follow the ‘SOLD’ price.

Please let us know your thoughts on these results, particularly if you have specific knowledge on a particular car.

If you wish to buy high resolution prints from our collection of Monterey Week images, visit Classic Motoring Images.

Results 2011

Gooding & Company

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Lot #009 1961 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster CHASSIS NO. 198.042.10.002898 ENGINE NO. 198.980.10.002959: Disc brakes, hard top, tools, factory luggage, matching numbers, undated restoration, mechanical restoration attended to by Bill Richardson, estimate: $700,000 - $850,000 ------ SOLD for $852,500. 172 Anthracite Grey/Red leather, Euro Headlamps, recent extensive 'body-on' restored under the watchful eye of Dr. Phil Lufty. Euro headlamps, polished wheels, black license plate CA car, dare Luggage, slight fuel door misalignment, gorgeous paint and trim combination - a (sensible) color change I believe , period style Talbot outside mirror, spotless fresh engine area w/correct finishes/decals, soft top only, disc brakes and cast iron engine block. Phil Lufty has been creating superb vintage Mercedes-Benz for decades, carrying on a passion fostered by his father. $852k is certainly Gullwing price territory but the price received reflected the color/trim combination and Dr. Lufty's penchant for perfection. Compare this result with that of lot #154, a roadster presenting quite a different appearance.

Lot #010 1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SE Cabriolet CHASSIS NO. 112.023.10.004451 ENGINE NO. 189.985. 10.000176: ex Margaret Rockefeller Strong, 4-speed manual gearbox, correct color/trim combination, no substantial condition information provided by the catalogue. Estimate: $80,000 - $100,000, no reserve ------ SOLD for $79,750. Probable US model, Bosch driving lights, nice street condition chrome, missing lower rocker cover finishers, mis-aligned deck lid, 4-spd manual gearbox, Kuhlmeister AC, faded upper dash wood, recent era velour carpet, fully dyed slightly crispy interior leather, crudely patched left rear floor area, uniform paint fish-eye and orange peel. Not a particularly interesting 112 cabriolet and lacking much attention to cosmetic details. We're having great difficulty locating 111/112 cabriolets of any description hence buyers can only be so picky when presented with an opportunity to buy an reasonably attractive example. A 112 cabriolet has a massive downside risk should its 189 series engine - $20kish to correctly rebuild - be loosing its edge. And there is the issue of the eternally finicky air suspension. An average example at best, if the engine and suspension are solid this cabriolet was market correct at just below its low estimate.

Lot #029: 1963 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL CHASSIS NO. 121.040.10.023853 ENGINE NO. 121.928.10.001761: Weber carb conversion, generally unrestored, blessed by Alex Finigan, 60k miles showing possibly correct, correct engine, $60,000 - $90,000 Without Reserve ------ SOLD for $68,750 ------ I did not have a chance to inspect this SL but I did have a chance to speak to the winning bidder - a long time acquaintance of MercedesHeritage.com - and the loosing bidder - MecedesHeritage.com's number one client. The buyer was comfortably at home bidding online with a Scotch in one hand. He must have been musing that since that guy Roy Spencer hadn't been able to find a car for him, he'd simply take matters in his own hands (with a little scotch induced courage) and click the mouse. He's a lucky guy as he paid only $1,000 more than the two most precise Dutch 190SL experts on the planet. Based on this fact I have to consider this attractive 190SL well bought. Good job Chris.

Lot #037 1967 Mercedes-Benz 250 SL CHASSIS NO. 113.043.10.000894 ENGINE NO. 129.982.10.000572: factory 5-speed, 22k KM from new, three owners, full documentation, Philips record player(!), extensive history, an extraordinary original survivor, ex-Phil Lufty, Estimate: $110,000 - $140,000 Without Reserve ------ SOLD for $126,500. 050 white, body #860, 22,600 km showing, missing horizontal rear panel trim rubber, correct white grey bumper inner surfaces, small area of rust(?) repair in the rr inner wheel well area, perfect shut lines, excellent chrome, chrome wheel arch moldings, matching hood/lid cover body numbers, weathered firewall pad, original soft top(?), Philips record player, Euro car w/chrome trip piece under license plate area, clean inner wheel wells. I inspected this car in Arizona some years ago and it was obviously a gorgeous, largely untouched survivor 250SL. The record player was a revelation. It was not for sale at that time. It's really a lovely car with a subtle patina of age, our favorite condition. But $126,500? This figure will buy some very interesting pre-1972 open Mercedes-Benz although none showing 13,500 miles on the clock. Mileage and presentation multiplied the price by a factor of roughly 3. Not sure if the new owner will be able to see this figure again anytime soon so I'll regard Dr. Lufty's amazing 250SL as well sold.

Lot 067 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster CHASSIS NO. 198.042.7500526 ENGINE NO. 198.980.7500469: silver/red, documented from new, handbooks, tools, ready to tour, re-stamped replacement NOS factory engine block installed circa 1976, engine rebuilt again circa January 2000, Estimate: $475,000 - $550,000 ------ SOLD for $638,000. Misc stone chips, dirty wheels, polished rims flat and cloudy, non-pleated leather, starting instructions attached to the dash not encouraging as to a healthy running roadster, obviously wrinkled left front inner apron from collision damage, repaired chassis down tube where secured to the chassis triangle at firewall area, aux cooling fan. This roadster certainly did not enhance Gooding's reputation for presenting high caliber offerings. Did the buyer pay almost $100k over the high estimate because of a fundamental confidence in Gooding's ability to source, inspect and qualify their generally superb offerings? A moderately discerning buyer would have ignored this roadster. Well sold.

Lot #068 1957 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL CHASSIS NO. 121.042.7501671 ENGINE NO. 121.921.7501692: red/tan, color changed from Strawberry Red, recent service, restored in 1995 to AACA standards, recent cosmetic freshening, Estimate: $45,000 - $60,000 Without Reserve ------ SOLD for $52,800. Odd switch mounted on steering column, incorrect clock, poor sill finishing, misc fresh chrome, late style California license plates, missing jack point covers, pitted windshield surround, extensive paint orange peel, matching hood body number, missing paint code tag. This was a decent looking 190SL and the hammer price was $48kish hence a fair value. There aren't acceptable street condition 190Sls around every today corner and I would consider this car a fair value if the mechanical condition allows safe and enjoyable touring.

Lot #107 1959 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL CHASSIS NO. 121.040.9502307: white/black, A Charitable Donation from Sheryl Crow, engine rebuilt circa 1993, negligible records, hardtop, Estimate: $50,000 - $80,000 Without Reserve ------ SOLD for $143,000. Two tops, missing hard top base trim, average panel fit, presentable fairly correct interior, 66,278 miles showing, aftermarket gas cap, missing visors, heavy paint shrinkage on hard top, very clean undercarriage, possible floor patch passenger foot well area, coded 050 white, tidy engine bay, Solex carbs, probable original fenders. Of course we had extra value here due to the proceeds being donated to the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. My split would be approximately $53k for the car and $90k for the charitable Foundation. A wonderful purchase from a kind buyer.

Lot #136 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen Replica CHASSIS NO. JB 100: late series John Bentley Engineering replica, last chassis of the series, Estimate: $90,000 - $120,000 Without Reserve ------ SOLD for $68,200. Evidently the last John Bentley/Daimler-Benz Patent-Motorwagen re-creation. Prices for these jewels vary and $80k-$100k was the market 5-7 years ago. No so today and even the ether of Mercedes-Benz'125th anniversary couldn't lift #100s price. In the next 5-10 years, this may look like a good buy. Well bought.

Lot #144 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL CHASSIS NO. 113.044.10.021487 ENGINE NO. 130.983.10.007554: both tops, blue/blue, 4-speed manual, misc reconditioning over the years including work in Costa Rica, last year of 113 production, largely original, Estimate: $60,000 - $80,000 Without Reserve ------ SOLD for $82,500. Probably color changed to medium blue non-metallic, grey/blue leather, moldy interior, all heater levers broken, dash face still silver, 4 spd, no AC, loose side windows, poor hood fit, no headlight bezel area body 'creases', crude rust repair in the trunk, complete rear body 'light' panel replacement and probable deck lid as well, heavy undercoating. I had to check the catalogue again to make sure I had the correct car as I read my notes. $82k is ludicrous for this barely average, poorly maintained SL. But of course there were two interested parties who drove each other to 280SL oblivion in this case. A perplexing result for which the seller must be thanking his/her lucky stars. I'll put this sale down to another serious case of auction fever. Well sold does not begin to describe this sale.

Lot #154 The 1960 Copenhagen Motor Show 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster CHASSIS NO. 198.042.10.002509 ENGINE NO. 198.980.10.002552: Blue Grey/Tan, both tops, tools, matching numbers, single family owned through 2010 a 'garage' find, stored for three decades, 15,000 original miles, vast patina, original spare tire, no mention of whether the car will run, Estimate: $700,000 - $900,000 ------ SOLD for $962,500. Blue in 'as-found' condition hence unwashed, probably a high percentage of original paint, grungy exterior chrome will likely clean up nicely, what looked like rust would begin to disappear with some gentle rubbing, 15,009 miles showing, uneven length rocker peak lines side to side, perfect shutlines, original bias ply tires, creased front bumper, misc coachwork dimples, stored unused for 3 decades in Garden City New York, weathered engine bay, no mention of the whereabouts of the soft top lid cover, obviously a significant find in the 300SL world. The $962k selling price further establishes the market's recognition of survivor, unrestored automobiles regardless of manufacturer. Restoring this time-warp roaster to any significant extent will negate the premium paid for its extraordinary originality. My plan would be to entirely re-commission the car technically, carefully clean the interior, replace the tires, clean the windows (not the rest of the car!) and use it. How many more untouched extreme low mileage 300SLs exist? Certainly not many and I would consider this wonderfully aged roadster fairly bought.

Lot #025 1967 Mercedes-Benz 600 SWB CHASSIS NO. 100.012.12.000735: white/blue, three owners from new, highly original, 71k miles, re-commissioned after long term storage, Estimate: $90,000 - $120,000 Without Reserve ------ SOLD for $88,000. Micro blistering deck lid, misc stone chips nose area, misc paint blemishes - scuffs/scratches - over many panels, minor windshield delamination, decent street level chrome, misc paint blend lines, overspray passenger door handle, very nice wood, original leather, nice tool roll, hydraulic spares kit, tidy engine bay, handbooks, recent invoices totaling $26,750 that included a valve job (water in the oil) and front suspension bellows wisely displayed on the driver's seat, 70,601 miles showing, probably a well sorted driver 600 SWB. Bringing this 600 forward cosmetically will require a bare metal respray and misc chrome adding a further $30k to the new owner's investment. $118k invested in a mid year non-sunroof low demand color/trim 600 SWB would be strong in my viewpoint, hence I feel this Grosser was a little pricy.

RM Auctions

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Lot #209 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet 11102712001432: Signal Red/Cognac, bare metal respray in 2004, floor shift, fresh leather in 2005, serviced by Old Timer Restorations, Estimate: $140,000-$180,000 US ------ SOLD for $154,000. A rare original 568 Signal Red 3.5, rude flat black engine bay inner aprons, poor front bumper chrome, Ziebart holes in door shut faces, door jamb VIN plate mounted backwards, newish cognac leather, inertia reel seatbelts, shiny but wavy coachwork, tool roll, nice trunk floor, rear tow loop partially ripped from undercarriage, poor rocker chrome to body fit, grungy undercarriage. I was asked to ponder this particular Cabriolet this last spring for a client, ultimately rejecting it after viewing undercarriage images. Priced at $165k at that time, the car was simply not 'crisp' enough for us to recommend to our client. Instead we sourced a nut and bolt restored (by the highly respected Lothar Motschenbacher) Silver/Black console auto CA 3.5 for $179k. While it was $25k more than this red 3.5, it was in fact a better buy. This red car would have to be disassembled and restored to achieve the same quality of the silver Motschenbacher restored car. The extra $25k we asked our client to spend was a bargain for Motschenbacher quality. Lot #209 was not for the picky 3.5 Cabriolet buyer but should offer the new owner a flashy top down cruiser at mid market money.

Lot #211 1962 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster, 1962 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster Chassis No. 198042-10.003019: signal red/tan, disc brakes, matching numbers, serviced by RM Auto Restoration, Becker Mexico radio, fitted luggage, single top, Estimate: $650,000-$800,000 US ------ SOLD for $687,500. Upper nose panel replaced, black highlighted 300SL insignia, slightly wide right door gap, Becker Mexico radio, disc brakes, correct engine, tools, one piece of luggage, no data on original color, based on the catalogue description there was some re-commissioning required likely from lack of use. The roadster market is gradually telling us that we need to spend in the mid $600k range and up for a sorted 'driver' 300SL roadster, particularly of one if is after a disc brake car. Are we approaching the top of a 5 year price trend?

Lot #219 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Coupe 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Coupe Chassis No. 198.040-6500214: black/red, restored by RM Auto Restoration in 2007, single owner through 2007, belly pans, 56k miles indicated, Estimate: $850,000-$1,100,000 US ------ SOLD for $836,000. Vin indicates a 1956, body off restored by RM in 2007, single ownership from 1957 to 2006, color changed from the original red to black, perfect chrome, Dunlop Roadspeed tires, spectacular coachwork, 56,143 miles showing, no luggage, excellent headliner and interior, essentially a faultless Gullwing that radiated perfection although sold at the low estimate. The right money for an exceptional Gullwing.

Lot #232 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Spezial Roadster by Sindelfingen, Chassis No. 408383: black/black, from the William Lyon Family collection, 5-speed gearbox, one-off 'Spezial' coachwork, recent inspection by Mercedes-Benz Classic Germany, probable numbers matching 540K, transmission/steering box correct to the series, Estimate: $3,500,000-$4,500,000 US ------ SOLD for $4,620,000.

Lot #236 1936 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Spezial Coupe by Sindelfingen Chassis No. 130944: from the Lyon Family Collection, 1936 Paris Salon car, copy of original build sheet, matching numbers, modern shocks, older restoration, ex-Mozart(?) Estimate: $3,250,000-$4,500,000 US ------ SOLD for 3,080,000. A rare 540K coupe, ex-1938 Paris Salon show car, ex-John Mozart, restored in the '60s and showing a fair amount of weathering particularly the interior, road driven quality undercarriage, both spare wheels showing rust, discolored bumper faces, oxidized and pitted lower control arms, a 'driver' 540K coupe if there is such a thing.

Lot #242 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Spezial Roadster by Sindelfingen Chassis No. 154140: silver/blue, from the Sam and Emily Mann collection, restored circa 1999, Pebble Beach class winner 2004, Estimate: Available Upon Request ------ SOLD for $9,680,000. 1 of 25 Spezial Roadsters, long tail covered spare coachwork, From the Sam and Emily Mann collection. Best of show Amelia Island 2011, magnificent in every respect. A commodity likely more stable than gold.

Lot #245 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Coupe Chassis No. 198.0405500621: silver/black, two California owners from new, restored by Kevin Kay Restorations 1999-2003 at a cost of $375,000, luggage, sport cam, belly pans, rudge wheels, original leather remnants provided(!), 3:64 final drive, Estimate: $650,000-$850,000 US ------ SOLD for $803,00.

Lot #247 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Roadster by Sindelfingen Chassis No. 105380: red/tan, from the William Lyon Collection, inspected by Mercedes-Benz Classic, later series 500K transmission, fully restored, Estimate: $4,000,000-$5,000,000 US ------ SOLD for $3,767,500.

Lot #249 1936 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Sport Cabriolet A by Sindelfingen Chassis No. 130945: black/black, transitional early series 540K, restored by Thomas Taffet circa 1994, 100pt Pebble Beach class winner 1996, restored again(!) by Taffet circa 2008, Estimate: Available Upon Request ------ SOLD for $2,970,000.

Lot #250 1935 Mercedes-Benz 290 Cabriolet D Chassis No. 104569: black/tan, restored 1999-2000, Best Interior at Ault Park in 2002, CCCA National show winner, Estimate: $200,000-$300,000 US ------ SOLD for $275,000. I had the unexpected chance to inspect this 290 during a Gullwing buying trip to Indiana earlier this year. The Levine restoration was holding up very nicely. While this Cab D looks reasonably handsome top up it becomes rather awkward looking with the massive top heaped over the rear quarters. Once back in CA I had a chance to chat with our our pre-war MBZ expert, Thomas Taffet, about the $275k asking price. Taffet laughed and pegged the value at an unrepeatable low figure - less than half of the asking. The $275k realized reveals that wise experts can sometimes misjudge the market. The seller got the price he quoted me in April less the sellers' fee. The price realized for the car would barely cover (California) restoration costs hence one could argue this pre-war open Mercedes was not a bad buy.

Lot #251 1924 Mercedes 28/95 Sport Phaeton by Sindelfingen Chassis No. 27003: yellow/black, sympathetic restoration in the '90s, rare coachwork, Estimate: $900,000-$1,200,000 US ------ SOLD for $1,017,500.

Lot #263 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Coupe Chassis No. WDDAJ76F76M001188: grey/tan, 2007 New Yord Auto Show car, 4,000 miles, just serviced, Estimate: $240,000-$280,000 US ------ SOLD for $242,000. Montana plates, essentially a new SLR, market correct for an early coupe and still more than a new SLS. Does this mean the outrageous SLR will outpace the new SLS in future value? I think so.

Lot #264 1966 Mercedes-Benz 230SL Roadster Chassis No. 11304210018632: ivory/tan, 4-speed manual, minor paintwork over the years, 'original and unrestored', 30,000 kms, Euro model, recent attention by Mercedes-Benz Classic Center Irvine, CA, Estimate: $75,000-$100,000 US ------ SOLD for $82,500. Body # 3712, 670H Ivory, new firewall pad, uniformly pitted chrome except bumpers, missing tail horizontal chrome seal, reproduction spare tire cover, deck lid never disturbed, SS exhaust, collapsed engine mounts, my notes indicate a mileage/km reading of 53,457. I suppose like Phil Lufty's 250SL, extreme low mileage (about 18,000 miles as per RM) warrants a hefty premium. It's a shame this buyer wasn't aware of our single owner 1964 230SL w/52k miles earlier this year. It was far ahead of this Euro car on every front other than miles and was fitted with perfect original cognac leather. We sold that car to Europe in May for... $39,000. In lot 264's case mileage certainly trumped quality. Very well sold.

Russo and Steele

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Lot #8541 1937 Mercedes-Benz 230 A cabriolet Creme over burgundy fenders, no substantial information regarding this specific car in the catalogue other than 'restored several years ago to a high standard and has been properly maintained ever since. Described as in good working condition, the vehicle has been fully finished for the auction.' No estimate ----- no sales results

Lot #8574 1972 Mercedes-Benz 250 C Coupe: tobacco brown with ivory roof/tan interior, unrestored, automatic, power windows, repainted twelve years ago, 150k miles, California car, No estimate. ------ SOLD for $6,050. We were not able to inspect this cute coupe but if things were in good, immediately usable order, we would consider this fairly bought.

Lot #8533 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Convertible Conversion, converted to open configuration from (presumably) a 3.5 coupe, $30,000 spent on the conversion/restoration. No estimate. ------ SOLD for $50,600. We always lament the loss of a perfectly good 3.5 coupe to create an often crudely converted 3.5 Convertible. $50k buys a 'best of breed' sunroof, floor shift 3.5 coupe. We'd rather have the coupe. It's fair money however for this conversion if it was reasonably well performed.

Roy Spencer, editor MercedesHeritage.com
Photography from RM Auctions, Gooding & Co, Russo & Steele, MercedesHeritage.com.

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Auction Action: Monterey 2011

Roy Spencer — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 19:14:03 +0000

Mercedes-Benz and Ferrari will receive special attention during this year's Monterey proceedings. Daimler's year long 125th birthday insures a massive Silver Star presence. Ferrari is being celebrated via the 50th anniversary of both the fabled 250 GTO and Californian Phil Hill's 1961 Formula One championship. Hill was an erudite, calculating driver whose greatest successes came sitting behind large wooden steering wheels adorned by the prancing horse. It's going to be a year to remember in Monterey.

Monterey 2011
What to buy?

With the bewildering array Monterey events just about upon us, it’s time to see what the auction houses have managed to coax out of garages around the world. Global events and a fairly mature post collapse classic car appreciation trend makes price forecasts tricky. Are prices approaching a short term (3-5 year) peak? 300SL Gullwings and Roadsters are closely watched as bellwethers for the overall classic car market and there will be a number of 198 series sales to observe.

We present the majority of the Mercedes-Benz auction offerings below.

Gooding & Company

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Lot #136 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen Replica CHASSIS NO. JB 100: late series John Bentley Engineering replica, last chassis of the series, Estimate: $90,000 - $120,000 Without Reserve

RM Auctions

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Lot #250 1935 Mercedes-Benz 290 Cabriolet D Chassis No. 104569: black/tan, restored 1999-2000, Best Interior at Ault Park in 2002, CCCA National show winner, Estimate: $200,000-$300,000 US

Lot #251 1924 Mercedes 28/95 Sport Phaeton by Sindelfingen Chassis No. 27003: yellow/black, sympathetic restoration in the '90s, rare coachwork, Estimate: $900,000-$1,200,000 US

Lot #263 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Coupe Chassis No. WDDAJ76F76M001188: grey/tan, 2007 New Yord Auto Show car, 4,000 miles, just serviced, Estimate: $240,000-$280,000 US

Russo and Steele

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Lot #8574 1972 Mercedes-Benz 250 C Coupe: tobacco brown with ivory roof/tan interior, unrestored, automatic, power windows, repainted twelve years ago, 150k miles, California car, No estimate.

Lot #8533 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Convertible Conversion, converted to open configuration from (presumably) a 3.5 coupe, $30,000 spent on the conversion/restoration. No estimate.

Inspection and results

Making sense of auction results can be problematic without having first hand knowledge of the car(s) in question. Catalogue descriptions are often vague, nonexistent or simply nonsense. And to be fair, descriptions are sometimes absolutely correct. We’ll help our readers make sense of the results by personally inspecting each one of the cars noted above and reviewing each sale to the best of our ability. See you in Monterey!

Roy Spencer, editor MercedesHeritage.com

Amelia Island 2011

Roy Spencer — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 16:07:17 +0000

Amelia Island Concours founder Bill Warner and his staff continues to polish their season opening celebration of the automobile. Diversity gives Amelia its appeal and Mercedes-Benz was well represented. This ex-Hugh Heffner 1972 600 Pullman complete with Bunny provided quite a counterpoint to the more pious ex-Pope Paul VI 600 Landaulet also on display.

Amelia 2011
Glorious weather, extraordinary cars

“Escape the everyday world and find inspiration in our peaceful, relaxed resort community.” So reads Amelia Island’s tourism pitch for this idyllic spot just off the coast of northeast Florida. The peace was interrupted over the second weekend of March by an array of automobiles that ranged from snorting turbocharged Porsche 935s to Allards to Duesenberg competition cars.

With Mercedes-Benz’ carefully choreographed global victory lap in celebration of 125 years of the automobile – which they are generally acknowledged to be the creator of – in full swing, the Silver Star’s presence in Florida was massive. In addition to interesting displays from the Classic Center there was a fabulous group of cars on the lawn Sunday. Let’s take a vicarious tour through the Mercedes displayed.

600s:

Guy, Loyda and Rose Lewis from Pinecrest, FL showed the dazzling Papayrus White 1972 SWB 600. Fully restored and noted to be Luciano Pavarotti's transport while touring in the US, this late series 600 is one of only 172 SWBs constructed in 1971.

Concours quality wood restoration for any Mercedes-Benz.

The Cantore Family of Oakbrook, IL showed this ex-Hugh Hefner 1972 Pullman. Hefner purchased this car new. What carnal pleasures did Hef enjoy in the back of this LWB? Hydraulic seats, divider window, a bar, curtains and remote radio controls - the possibilities (and bunnies) were unlimited!

Mercedes Classic Center displayed the rarely seen 1965 four-door Pullman Landaulet constructed for Pope Paul Vl. A one-off, this Landaulet features a raised roofline, extended rear doors and a raised platform for the Pope to wave to his subjects. This 600 was used by the Vatican for two decades, serving three popes. I doubt any of them had as much fun as Hef did in the sumptuous rear quarters of his.

SLs:

The Utaskis displayed this gorgeous if showy 1960 300SL with hardtop and luggage. SL detectives will recognize this car as "Old Blue Eyes," a celebrated barn find circa 2008. Purchased new on Park Ave, New York City, the blue roadster was a gift from father to daughter, a sophomore at Vasser College. The gift was to persuade her to remain in college. I think I'd have hung around and graduated if presented with a new roadster in 1960. A 'dead-on' restoration would have included body color wheels and whitewall tires.

Wellington and Janet Morton showed this 1954 Gullwing, the 60th 300SL constructed. Early cars such as this were fitted with welting between the wheel arch "eyebrows" and coachwork. This early car was also fitted with the stylish "concave" grille star. The Morton's Gullwing is noted as showing but 50k miles on the odometer.

The rarest Pagoda on the planet, Pininfarina's 230SL fixed head coupe styling exercise made a rare appearance in Florida. Designed by Tom Tjaarda, this tasteful interpretation of an early Pagoda embodies a number of detail touches found on cars from one of Sergio Pininfarina's other clients: Ferrari. Note the thin pillars and airy greenhouse.

Pininfarina's 230SL deserves another look and this shot reveals the extended nose and forward angled grille shell. Thankfully, after being red and then black over the years, current owner Weston Hook(?) commissioned Hjeltness Restorations to return the car to it's original Silver. Did Tjaarda improve on the original Paul Bracq design?

Adenauers:

Bruce Iannelli brought his one-off 300c wagon for everyone to enjoy. This opulent Binz bodied 300 was sold last year during RM's Amelia Island auction for $242,000. Like the Utaski 300SL, this project began with a special order from MBZ's Park Avenue, New York City dealership. Fabulous!

This end-of-series fuel injected 300d is resplendent in deep red. With "B" posts and rear quarter lights removed, this Adenauer becomes a stylish hardtop sedan. 3077 examples were constructed from 1957 through 1962.

Regal 1961 300d Convertible D has presence in spades, particularly in this color trim combination. Unloved by its original owner due to regular breakdowns, she had seven full size lemons painted inside the trunk lid. Perhaps this massive convertible stranded her and her horse trailer seven times. The lemons remain.

Pre-War:

The Kemp Auto Museum provided this rakish 1931 370S Mannheim Sport. Impressive in its day, the 3.7 liter fitted with twin side-draft Solex carburetors provided barely 78 hp.

Provided by the Cantore Family, this spectacular 500K Cabriolet A was on display in the Mercedes Classic Center's enclosure. Abandoned in the North African desert during the WW2, it was discovered in 1945 and brought to the US by General Walter B. Smith. Typifying the long hood, short tail design ethos of the era, the 500K and its successor the 540K were and remain revered road cars. Note the position of grille shell - well behind the front axle line.

Best of Show for 2011? Duesenbergs won the day in 2011. Best of show in the sport arena was the outrageous yellow 1933 "Mormon Meteor." Ab Jenkins piloted this beast to a number of speed records at Bonneville. Best of show for a vehicle of elegance went to the 1933 Duesenberg SJN Arlington Torpedo Sedan also known as the "Twenty Grand." The 20G Deusy still looks stunning 30 years since its restoration. These two bigger than life automobiles exemplify the post-depression golden age of the automobile.

It has been said that Amelia Island is now on a par with the global benchmark for automobile concours, Pebble Beach. I don’t agree entirely with this but feel Amelia may just be more entertaining by offering a wider variety of cars, over 300 in all. Constrained by 60 years of tradition and the attendant internal politics, Pebble remains focused on smaller fields of exceptional quality. With no such constraints, I’m sure Amelia Island will feature more surprises for us in 2012.

Mercedes Class awards Amelia Island 2011:

Best in Class – European Classic Pre-War
1931 Mercedes-Benz 370S mannheim Sport
Kemp Auto Museum – Chesterfield, MO

Amelia Award – Mercedes-Benz (Post War)
1972 Mercedes-Benz 600 SWB Limousine
Guy, Loyda and Rose Lewis – Pinecrest, FL

Best in Class – Mercedes-Benz (Post War)
1960 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster
Jim and Nancy Utaski – Skillman, NJ

Best in Class – Sports and GT cars (1954-1963)
1963 Mercedes-Benz 230SL
Elona and Weston Hook – La Jolla, CA

The Mercedes Club of America Award for the Most Elegant Mercedes-Benz
1961 Mercedes-Benz 300D Cabriolet
Tom and Lynn Isgrig – Cincinnati, OH

The Mercedes-Benz Club of America Award for the Most Historically Significant Mercedes-Benz
1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Coupe
Wellington Morton – Fruit Cove, FL

For images of the entire 2011 Amelia Island field, click here.

Roy Spencer, editor MercedesHeritage.com
Photography from Connie Schmitt, Neil Rashba and Peter Singhof.

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Please comment on this article below.

Pebble Beach 2011: Features and classes

Roy Spencer — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 01:30:34 +0000

Traditionally the climax of the frantic Monterey Week, the Pebble Beach Concours brings together an extraordinary group of cars and personalities from around the globe. 2011 promises to be another fabulous year.

Pebble Beach 2011

Arguably the finest show of its kind in the world, the Pebble Beach Concours will again present an amazing collection of automobiles. 2011′s classes and featured cars have been released and include a celebration of 125 years of the automobile.

Retracting the evolution of motorized transport leads us to 1886 and the the creations of Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz, ground zero for not only the partnership that would become Mercedes-Benz but for the automobile itself.

Mercedes-Benz will be well represented at Pebble in 2011. If you’re in the western United States and have never attended the Monterey festivities during August, you must make the trip at least once. You’ll find much to enjoy among the vast array of events.

We present most of the Mercedes best-of-show winners over the Pebble Beach Concours’ rich history below.

1971 Best of Show: Owen Owens' rakish 1927 Mercedes-Benz S Three Door Tourer

1982 Best of show: Tom and Gerd Perkins' 1935 500K Special Roadster.

1986 Best of Show: Arturo Keller's 1936 500k Special Roadster.

1993 Best of Show: Ralph Lauren's 1930 Mercedes-Benz SSK Count Trossi Sports 2-Seater.

Best of Show 2001: Arturo Keller's 1930 Mercedes-Benz SS Erdmann & Rossi Roadster.

The 2011 Pebble Beach Concours will feature:

* The creations of Benz and Daimler and their successorsâ€”notably, Mercedes and Mercedes-Benz. In addition to classes emphasizing style and technology, one preservation class will be devoted solely to these marques.

* Early Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts (1907â€“1919). Created in the Edwardian era and considered by many historians to be the most famous luxury cars ever made. These smooth, exceptionally reliable cars â€” often noted for their ghostlike, quiet ride â€” are among the most desirable collector vehicles in the world.

* Stutz Centennial. Often called Americaâ€™s first sports car, a Stutz was entered in the 1911 Indy 500 and finished 11th, becoming known as â€œthe car that made good in a day.â€ The companyâ€™s high performance Bearcats featured one of the first multivalve engines.

* The Birth of the Ferrari 250 GTO. This Enzo Ferrari creation, engineered by Giotto Bizzarrini and designed by Sergio Scaglietti, dominated Grand Touring races in the early 1960s. A total of 39 Ferrari 250 GTOs were produced between 1962 and 1964, and they are often said to be Ferrariâ€™s crowning achievement.

* Italian Motorcycles. The Concours will feature motorcycles for the third consecutive year, with the creations of Italian manufacturers like Ducati, MV Agusta, Moto Guzzi and others taking center stage in 2011.

Classes may be revised as entry applications are received and reviewed, but the current list of competition classes is as follows:

Antique through 1915
American Classic Open
American Classic Closed
Stutz 1911 to 1924
Stutz Classic
Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost through 1919
125 Years of Benz, Daimler, Mercedes and Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz 500K through 770K
Benz, Daimler, Mercedes and Mercedes-Benz Preservation
European Classic Open
European Classic Closed
Prewar Sports and Racing
Prewar Preservation
Postwar Preservation
Ferrari Grand Touring
50th Anniversary of the Birth of the Ferrari 250 GTO
Postwar Sports
Postwar Touring
Postwar American Special Coachwork
Italian Motorcycles through 1979

Photography from Pebble Beach Company

Auction Action: Monterey 2010

Roy Spencer — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 22:17:07 +0000

Mercedes in Monterey
Prewar cars top sellers

How is the classic Mercedes-Benz market faring in these weak financial times? Are there buyers lurking out there who possess not only the desire but also the funds to own a piece the Silver Star’s history? Based on the sales figures for the big three auction houses – $64.5m for Gooding & Company, $67m for RM , $18.6m for Bonhams – demand for unique classic automobiles remains stable. How did the Mercedes-Benz products fare? Read our ‘eyes on’ reports below for a glimpse behind the flowery catalogue descriptions. All sale prices include the buyer’s premium.

RM Auctions

1969 280SL “Auction Special”

SOLD for $63,250. A typical 280SL auction scenario: cosmetics that fairly glowed and an interior that was consistent and attractive combined with collision repairs only the savvy SL buyer would detect. The discerning 'Pagoda' buyer would ignore this car. However, there are many buyers who simply want an attractive 280SL for Sunday cruises and have no interest in making their purchase a research project. Unmolested 280Sls are very difficult to find today so this car was a convenient but 20%+ overpriced acquisition for the new owner. We can offer an untouched, fully sorted 1970 280SL for about $10k less, not as shiny and bright, but a virtually unobtainable 'survivor' example" width="550" height="329" />

1969 Mercedes 280SL Red/Tan leather lot #377 Chassis No. 11304412011319: Was originally the lovely 834 Moss Green, replacement hood, door/deck lid hinge bolts unpainted, replacement firewall pad, superb paint depth and gloss, nice panel fit, weathered older restored leather interior, replacement rear body 'light' panel, trunk floor rust holes patched, incorrect tools, sold in 1990 for $48.5k. SOLD for $63,250. A typical 280SL auction scenario: cosmetics that fairly glowed and an interior that was consistent and attractive combined with collision repairs only the savvy SL buyer would detect. The discerning 'Pagoda' buyer would ignore this car. However, there are many buyers who simply want an attractive 280SL for Sunday cruises and have no interest in making their purchase a research project. Unmolested 280Sls are very difficult to find today so this car was a convenient but 20%+ overpriced acquisition for the new owner. We can offer an untouched, fully sorted 1970 280SL for about $10k less, not as shiny and bright, but a spectacular, virtually unobtainable 'survivor' example.

Disc Brake 300SL Roadster

1961 Mercedes 300SL Silver/Blue Lot #374 Chassis No. 19804210002869: Polished wheels, below average door fit, fitted with an alternator, Hjeltness installed AC, bulging door panels, poor headlight bezel fit, lightly pitted chrome, loose soft top,Â removable center console containing modern radio, flexible household tubing behind one jack point opening - a driver: SOLD for $522,000. Contrary to the catalogue's note of the car being resprayed in 'factory-original silver,' our database shows this car to have been originally 534 red and subsequently ivory before the current silver respray.Â Were this car not fitted with disc brakes, I'd say $522k was steep for a roadster with these cosmetic shortcomings. Factory disc brakes are a great equalizer and add about $50k to a roadster's value. Only 478 roadsters were so equipped. I suppose if the car performs as the catalogue suggests, it was fairly bought.

Attractive Drum Brake Roadster

1957 300SL Red/Cognac lot #319 Chassis No. 1980427500131: Tidy street driven engine bay, poor headlight bezel fit, completely incorrect latter '60s era cognac leather interior, missing door sill trim, good paint depth and gloss, very poor fuel filler door fit, generally pitted chrome, overspray RF wheel, - a driver with an incorrect interior. SOLD for $440,000. The thin catalogue description went far to establish this car's value. Originally a 534 red car with black interior. I see possibilities, however, after a fresh black interior and minor fit and finish improvements.Â At a $82k below the silver car above, I'd say the car was fairly priced.

Disaster 1958 190SL

1958 190SL Silver/Red lot #379 Chassis No. 1210408501571:Â Originally a 180 Silver car, rust blisters left fender top, poor bumper alignment, frozen heater valves, hood binds on the nose, inconsistent chrome, very poor panel fit, incorrect floor patch panels, a great color combination, unrestored hard top provided and shipped at the buyer's expense.Â SOLD for $77,000: According to the catalogue this 190SL was 'beautifully restored' and with '100 miles since restoration.' This was a lot of rubbish and potentially misled the buyer. Based on the restoration photo journal proudly displayed on the front seat, the donor car was extremely rusty and required massive metal sectioning and rust repair. This was photographic history better left at home. The work described was poorly done and I noted the car '87% completed.' The buyer will have a heart attack if he/she finds out Gooding's spectacular ivory 190SL sold for just $8,800 more. This silver car will require this amount and more to be considered finished. Occasionally a car will slip by an auction management's scrutiny and this was certainly one of those situations. The description and the quality of the car simply did not remotely coincide. I'd say the buyer overpaid by about 40%. This car was another reminder to be your own advocate when buying at auction. If you can't quickly evaluate the car you are interested in, find someone who can.

Rare 300 Convertible D

1952 300 Cabriolet D Black/Red Lot #313 Chassis No. 1860140112052: An older restoration (20 years ago), nice paint depth and gloss, good street level chrome, LR door binds, re-trimmed interior with a comfortable patina, tidy undercarriage, stainless steel exhaust, clean engine bay, Missouri inspection sticker, fully trimmed trunk with incorrect velour, missing air cleaner covers: SOLD for $115,500. This convertible sedan presented itself fairly well and with only 591 300/300b convertibles constructed, you will never have a wide selection available. The loose ends here are fairly easy to correct and the result will be an enjoyable cruiser for about $125k - A fair deal on both sides.

Well presented Gullwing

1955 300SL Red/Tan Lot #320 Chassis No. 5500712: Originally 180 silver with 333 blue leather, delivered new to Lisbon Portugal, luggage, interior/luggage showing a nice comfortable patina of age, gas pedal wired to the throttle linkage(!), excellent paint depth and gloss, period Talbot mirrors, incorrect padded head/door liner material, Becker LeMans radio, matching engine #5500739, full belly pans, average panel fit, Oklahoma inspection sticker from 1979.Â SOLD for $550,000. I liked this Gullwing and, like the catalogue, felt the some of the interior could be nicely preserved and original. The luggage looked to be original. Our database proved otherwise. It still bewilders me why so many of these - and so many other classic Mercedes - are color changed to red. To my eyes, red has never flattered a Gullwing. However, this was a nicely equipped car that presented itself well and if it performs as the catalogue suggests was fairly bought.

1936 540K Special Roadster

LOt #371: 1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Cabriolet Chassis 130913: Restored in Indiana circa 2005 and still looking rather crisp, lovely paint and coachwork, superb chrome, undercarriage shows evidence of use and not concours ready, gorgeous interior and wood. SOLD for $913,000.Â We turned to our friend and prewar Mercedes expert Thomas Taffet for his comments on this sale. He felt the unusual coachwork betrayed any open 540K's profile, regardless of Cab A/B/C configuration. Hiding the 540K's V shaped radiator shell was quite a sin in Taffet's opinion and mutes what should be one of the 540K's most dramatic styling features.Â A point well taken because upon casually approaching this car one could confuse it for a LeBaron bodied Packard of the same era. Taffet, the purist, recons the $913k paid was massive money for car in a coachwork style not befitting one of the 419 540K chassis constructed.

Gooding & Company

Attractive but Expensive 3.5 Cabriolet

1971 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet 728 Beige Grey Metallic/Brown leather lot #119 Chassis No. 11102712000808. New front seat trim against attractive and largely original remaining leather, mis-aligned hood safety latch damaged preventing the hood from closing, an attractive and rare exterior color, new carpet, original door panels and dash pads, recent top and headliner, nice trunk floor, good panel fit, good street quality chrome, minor bumper misalignment, 52,253 miles showing, column automatic, clean undercarriage, original hydro compensator replaced with coil spring: SOLD for $165,000. I was offered this car twelve months ago 90% finished for about $125k. Scott Grundfor started this car and Jurgen Klockemann finished it. The misc loose ends could be solved for $5k which puts the buyer at $170k. The auction was the winner here skimming $30k via the buyer's/seller's fees. This was a $135k 3.5 Cabriolet. There are dozens of these cars on the market today - 11 available on MercedesHeritage.com alone - and $165k should buy a more consistent car, either a superb original or a fairly recently restored car. Well sold although Klockemann did not benefit much from the total price realized.

Spectacular Alloy Block, Drum Brake Roadster

1961 300SL White Grey/Green leather lot #116 Chassis No. 198.042.10002637: Originally 423 tobacco brown with saddle leather, noted as the only 300SL sold in Alaska, not much to be said regarding condition beyond fresh from a three year Rudi Koniczek restoration of a 47k mile car. Spectacular in every respect, European headlamps, fabulous non-original color/trim combination, factory hard top a slightly different shade of white gray, non-numbered alloy replacement long block, luggage, manuals, a very late drum brake car. SOLD for $632,500. The price is fairly easy to figure out. Rudi charges about $300k to restore a roadster. A dead but complete roadster is $275k-$325k. Do the math and you get to the low $600k range for a finished car. Properly bought and sold.

Gorgeous supercharged 190SL

1956 190SL Ivory/Tan lot #153 Engine No. 121.921.6502711: Undated restoration by Rich Spillane and still looking gorgeous, yellow period CA license plates, period Judson supercharger with Judson insignia on rear body panel, Original carbs supplied, excellent panel fit, very clean undercarriage although in satin black, spotless engine bay, originally 534 red, original factory hard top supplied and noted 'completely original' and 'matches the rest of the car,' a lovely 190SL. SOLD for $85,800. Despite some errors in the description - I noted a paint code number 534 (fire engine red) on the firewall tag which does not support the claim of 'Factory Color Combination' - this was a superb 190SL. The color change is a moot point as the car presented itself so well in Ivory. The car just glowed in Gooding's tent. The buyer will be well advised to tread lightly on the throttle as the supercharger will stress the 190SL's feeble bottom end. $80k and up is what it takes to buy a highly prepared 190SL and I call this a fair deal for both buyer and seller.

800 Mile SLR Roadster

2008 SLR Convertible lot #21 Galaxite Black Metallic/Red leather Chassis No. WDDAK76F08M001713: One CA owner car, recently serviced, essentially a new SLR Roadster: SOLD for $253,000. The last new 2008 SLR sold by a local SF bay area dealer fetched $285k or so. These roadsters had a base MSRP of $465,350 so this car seems a good buy at a 45% discount from new. With the new $200k SLS Gullwing stealing every magazine cover, I'd call $253k top retail. SLR buyers have been very hard to find for some years. Well sold.

Ex-Umberto Maglioli Gullwing

1955 300SL Gullwing Silver/Red leather lot #35 Chassis No. 198.040.5500533: Ex '50s Italian racing driver Umberto Maglioli, rudge wheels, Nardi steering wheel, average door fit, no bumper guards, no belly pans, fitted luggage, some micro blistering on the passenger door, no radio, driver's door drain slots filled, older high quality restoration by Thomas Taffet, recent $26k service, probable 72k miles. SOLD for $715,000. This Gullwing had all the ingredients; a glamorous original owner, custodianship by Lothar Motschenbacher, restoration by Thomas Taffet, rudge wheels, excellent color/trim combination and a recent technical preparation. This was fair money for a milestone Gullwing.

1937 540K Sport Cabriolet A

1937 540K Sport Cabriolet A lot #122 Chassis No. 154084: body off $400k restoration performed 1997-1999, freshened up by Scott Grundfor for Pebble Beach 2008, current owner enlisted Grundfor to remove the bulky convertible top mechanism and create a smooth tonneau fitted over the top aperture, spare tire well covered, paint and coachwork still essentially spotless, very tidy undercarriage, all parts to reverse the modifications included in the sale, superb chrome, a prewar icon albeit slightly modified. SOLD for $2,145,000. Again, we turn to Thomas Taffet for comments. Altering any 540K is a serious crime for Taffet. He knew this car's recent history well, noting after being restored in Germany, it sold for $1.1m at RM circa 2002. Taffet was horrified to see the 'ungainly' convertible top having been removed and replaced with a smooth tonneau. At $2.145m, he considers the car very well sold.

Ex-Zeppo Marx 1928 S Boattail Speedster

1928 S 26/180 Boattail Speedster lot #127 Chassis No. 35313: Highly unusual speedster coachwork by Murphy Coachbuilders in Pasadena, CA, 6.8 liter supercharged eight, seen in the film Sylvia Scarlett starring Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant, sold to Zeppo and Chico Marx, raced against Hollywood agent Phil Berg's stripped Duesenberg in the infamous Muroc dry lakes challenge, languished on a used car lot in Los Angeles in 1951 priced at $2,000, modified over the years before being returned to its Muroc race configuration, fabulous patina. SOLD for $3,740,000. My jaw dropped when I first saw this extraordinary car at the 2009 Marin Sonoma concours. The blend of '20s Mercedes-Benz technology and southern California Hot Rod design is captivating. Murphy created a Mercedes S Highboy. I doubt if many concours attendees that day understood this car. Displayed at Goodings sans its fenders and with its less than harmonious vertical windscreen folded down, the Marx S sat proudly atop a raised platform. Presented at auction uniformly weathered, the S is now fully functional with its gearbox recently rebuilt by Phil Reilly and company. This car's story is hard to eclipse: a piece of Hollywood lore, appearance in a golden era film, a rare Mercedes supercharged S, famous actor ownership history, largely original, one of one. Prewar Mercedes expert, Thomas Taffet, was not so excited about this tatty supercharged S and pegged its value closer to $1.5m. Citing ugly coachwork and distressed cosmetics, Taffet pointed me towards Bonham's SS Sports Tourer as a far more compelling latter '20s supercharged Mercedes. The buyer of the Marx car felt otherwise, however, and attached a further $2m+ in value for the car's extraordinarily unique history. I'll have to consider the Marx car very well sold.

Bonhams

Spectacular 1953 300 Sedan

1952 300 Sedan Bordeaux/Creme leather lot #630 Chassis # 00578/52: Noted as restored in 2000 and freshened up in 2006, obviously a body off restored sedan, immaculate paint and coachwork, excellent chrome, no bumper guards, lovely restored interior showing subtle patina of use, superb wood, no radio, very clean engine bay showing signs of light use, spotless undercarriage, tools and jack noted in catelogue description, a gorgeous early 300 sedan. SOLD for $60,840. With it's understated colors and generally sober lines, it was easy ignore this 300. A closer look revealed likely one of the nicest examples in the US. Restored to a level generally reserved for its 2 door brothers, this regal sedan would be a satisfying and supremely comfortable Mercedes Club tour and event car. You couldn't duplicate the car for $100k. Comprehensively restoring a 300 sedan is financial suicide. I would say well bought and applaud the individual who had the courage and funds to prepare a 300 to this level. Well done!

Tobacco Brown 600 SWB with Promise

1968 600 SWB Tobacco Brown/Cognac, Black top lot #645 Chassis #10001212001196: 88k miles showing, not coded as a two-tone paint car, tidy engine bay, suspension sitting low when inspected 24 hours post sale, misc left front fender bolts missing, nice street level chrome, Colorado plates, interior partially dyed, generally dry burlwood, sun baked package panel, heavy hydraulic fluid leak right rear door window valve, nice panel fit and gaps, excellent paint depth and gloss, loose front bumper section, stainless steel exhaust, left side exhaust low and missing hangers, recent transmission/water pump rebuild and service. SOLD for $47,900. I feel any 600 that is not spot on technically and cosmetically should be rather inexpensive. Reconditioning costs for seemingly benign improvements are usually jaw-dropping. I've written those checks over the years. As I looked at this 600, I began to see a fundamentally sound car with promise. Sorting the low suspension and other misc. loose ends will absorb a further $20k putting the buyer's investment at close to $70k. He or she will be reasonably close to the car's retail value, perhaps $10k above. Not a bad buy if the 600 market continues on the same trajectory for the immediate future.

Rudge wheel 1961 300SL Roadster

1961 300SL Light Blue/Tan lot #651 Chassis #198-042-10-002619: European headlamps, noted to have been returned to the factory in 1971 for restoration and restored again by Scott Restorations in 1989 with records of both restorations on hand, still looking very crisp, fitted luggage, no information in our database, excellent panel fit and shutlines, hardtop provided, very clean and correct engine bay, an eye-popping roadster. SOLD for $612,000 This car was likely a post block sale. When I arrived to inspect Saturday morning after the sale the car was being shown to an obviously interested buyer, hence I was not able to inspect more carefully. While finished in a generally low demand color, the car presented itself very nicely with the older restoration still looking sharp. We'll presume the light blue was correct to the car as most owners will never color change a car to this color. I'd say this was a fair deal if not slightly well sold due to the soft demand color.

Glorious 1930 38/250 SS Sports Tourer

1930 38/250 SS Sports Tourer lot #640 Chassis #36257: Delivered new April 11, 1930 to the UK, fabulous documented history, last owner from 1955, stored from middle '50s to middle '90s, recently re-commissioned and running and driving well,Â 7.1 liter supercharged straight eight, highly original and never fully restored, wonderful patina. SOLD for $2,537,000. Again we note comments by Thomas Taffet. He felt this car was a far more interesting proposition than the Marx 'S' sold by Gooding and reviewed earlier in this article. So interesting that Taffet was an interested potential buyer so we'll consider this car well bought.

Photography from MercedesHeritage.com and Bonhams.

Roy Spencer, editor MercedesHeritage.com

Please post your comments below.

Palo Alto Concours 2010: over 40 Mercedes on display

Roy Spencer — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 14:33:13 +0000

Palo Alto Concours 2010: Mike Blanton discusses the merits of his creamy Gullwing as new SLS owner Larry Brackett looks on. Blanton's voluptuous rudge wheel GW certainly contrasts the edgy, muscular SLS. Would you connect the two cars if the SLS lacked a grille star and had doors closed?

Mercedes-Benz joins Cadillac as Featured Marque

The 44th edition of the Palo Alto Concours offered Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts an opportunity to immerse themselves in displays covering six decades of the Silver Star’s products. Thanks to the Mercedes-Benz Club of America’s San Francisco region, we were blessed with a fabulous and highly educational group of Mercedes.

Pat Matthews' glorious - and with only 53 constructed exceedingly rare - 300Sc Roadster was an early arrival.

We mustn’t take these concours displays for granted. Palo Alto’s massive Mercedes display – over 40 cars – was largely do to the efforts of MBCA’s SF Bay region president Robert Schilling, MBCA director at large Laura Simonds, and former MBCA president and Star Magazine publisher, Richard Simonds. We present a photo essay below of many of great cars this trio pulled together.

Walking the Lawn among the Mercedes-Benz

Bruce Canepa (Canapa Design, Scotts Valley CA) can always be relied on to display a showstopper. His 1962 Black/Black Roadster featured some rare factory options: 6" wheels, 3.23 final drive ratio and high compression engine. Bruce noted the car produced 190hp at the rear wheels on the chassis dyno. Pathetic in today's world, 190hp is serious power for a roadster. Canepa was coy about the price, noting it was sold for north of $700k. Look at the razor sharp reflectionsÂ in the door and front fenders - a result of precise metal preparation.

Jim Morris performed most of the restoration on his 1959 220S Convertible himself. 14" wheels - 220s were originally fitted with 13" wheels - aid drivability by effectively raising the final drive ratio.

Gerry Holzapple's understated 173 Grey 280SL is a blend of largely original interior and fresh chrome adorning bare metal resprayed coachwork

A 280SL presented in a most unusual color/trim combination. Craig Hartman's Moss Green/Green full leather 280SL is gorgeous and correct. Green on Green! One of my favorites and a car I restored some years ago prior to selling to Craig.

Who in their right mind would fully restore a 220SE sedan? Pat Matthews! He saved what is quite a rare ponton sedan, 1 of the 1,974 fuel injected examples. How many had sunroofs?. Probably less than 100. This sedan is indeed a rare car.

Byron and Myra Brill's 1971 280SE 3.5 is finished in Midnight Blue(904) with Parchment leather, a rich and desirable combination. Proper 3.5 Cabriolets easily bring $100k+ today and deservedly so. A well sorted example is a comfortable, quick and eminently usable classic today.

Greg Hubit managed to snag this extraordinary low grille 280SE Cabriolet out from under the noses of a number of SF Bay area enthusiasts including this editor. It is also an original Moss Green/Green leather car - like Greg Hartman's 280SL a few cars above - and fitted with a green soft top. It showed only 16k miles(!) on the odometer when he purchased it a few years ago. It is certainly one of the lowest mileage, original 111 chassis convertibles in existence. I'm still depressed at missing this car.

The heavyweight of the Mercedes-Benz on display, Arturo Keller

Who in their right mind would fully restore a 220SE coupe? Pat Matthews! These cozy coupes were largely hand crafted by Mercedes-Benz and cost twice as much as the base six cylinder sedan, the 219. Pat's car is stunning in Midnight Blue with Grey leather.

Larry Brackett is a certified Mercedes nut having owned 60 or 70 examples over the decades. He's not interested in the classics, however, and just added a new SLS to share his garage with this SLR. According to Larry his new SLS is vastly more user-friendly than his SLR.

Larry Brackett's dilemma is what to drive on Sunday morning, the new SLS in the foreground or his SLR behind. What a dilemma!

Chuck and Sue Cortsen's cheery 1953 220 Cabriolet A is a prewar design carrying 170 styling cues. The faired in headlights tell us this is a post war 220.

Sigi Appelt's stately 1960 300d looks quite smart in Silver with acres of Red trim. Three liters and fuel injection provided a respectable 160hp for the ponderous "Adenauer." Only 3,077 were constructed.

300SLs were well represented. Rudge wheels complement this Silver/Red roadster nicely.

Susan Hoebich's 190SL was fitted with slightly(!) non-standard ostrich skin interior trim. The car is fitted with the large rear window hardtop introduced during the 1958 model year.

Event sponsor Academy of Art University provided their 540K Convertible B (4 passenger convertible w/rear quarter window) in recognition of Mercedes-Benz as the featured marque.

Recommended Reading:

Mercedes-Benz The Supercharged 8-Cylinder Cars of the 1930s by Jan Melin ISBN: 91-87036-00-2

Mercedes-Benz 300SL by Dennis Adler
ISBN: 0-87938-8820X

Mercedes-Benz Roadsters 230,250,280,350,450 SL & SLC by LJK Setright
ISBN0-85045-325-9

Mercedes-Benz Production Models Book 1946-1990 by W. Robert Nitske
ISBN 0-87938-190-6

Shop Amazon.com for Mercedes-Benz Books

___________________________________

Roy Spencer, editor MercedesHeritage.com

Please post your comments below.

Monterey 2010: Mercedes Auction Preview

Roy Spencer — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 05:10:48 +0000

The 2010 Monterey Auctions will offer a sumptuous selection of cars carrying the Silver Star's Badge.

Auction Action Monterey 2010
Cars to watch in August

The major auction houses are frantically assembling their lots for the year’s premier week of collector car sales, Monterey 2010. Mercedes-Benz is well represented among the major 4 houses with RM offering 10 Mercedes lots whose prices will range from $40k to $1.3m.

The market always looks to Monterey for third quarter pricing guidance and MercedesHeritage.com will be covering all the developments. We’ll have “eyes on” evaluations of most of the cars for a perspective on actual sales results once the hammer falls on each car. Be sure to read our comprehensive coverage in the August Newsletter. Meanwhile, here’s a look at most of the Mercedes offered.

Images and descriptions provided by the respective auction house.

RM Auctions

Lot #377: 1969 280SL. Purchased by the current owners in San Jose in 1990, it was used as a family car and enjoyed for a few years on the occasional weekend drive. It was put into dry storage a few years later and stayed there until 2009 when it was taken out and received several mechanical updates, including rebuilding of the fuel injection pump, fuel injectors, and fuel supply pump by Bosch of San Francisco. Additionally, the starter and the injection pump thermostat were rebuilt, and a new transmission filter kit was installed. All fluids, gaskets, seals and spark plugs were replaced along with the rear suspension trailing arm bushings. It also received a complete chassis lubrication, and the car was fitted with period Phoenix 14-inch tires with a Â¾-inch whitewall.The sales estimate is $45k-$55k. Be sure to visit our SL Research Database to learn about this charming era of SLs before you bid.

Lot 379: This 1958 190 SL Roadster was carefully restored as originally delivered in a four-year process that was completed in May 2010. Bodywork included the removal and repair of all rusted body panels, followed by replacement of the original Glasurit Daimler Silver Grey paint with an identically matched PPG two-phase Metallic Silver finish. The carâ€™s underside was refinished in an original 169 Grey. Atlantaâ€™s R. Rabon furnished the red leather interior upholstery, as well as the new carpeting and convertible top, while Superior Chrome of Houston, Texas restored the grille, bumpers and brightwork. North Hollywood Speedometer restored all instruments, including the clock. This SL is also a no reserve lot with a catalogue estimate of $60k-$70k.

Lot #244: 1958 190SL. With an older, high quality, ground-up restoration by Robert Platz of Camden, New Jerseyâ€™s Precision Auto Works, this very fine example earned Grand National First Prize honors from the AACA in 1993. Finished in factory correct light green (â€œPerlmutter Gruenâ€), the 190SL continues to present beautifully throughout, including its dark green leather upholstery and engine bay, which are correct and clean in presentation. Features include an AM/FM pushbutton radio, translucent sun visors, matched luggage and a tool roll, as well as VDO instrumentation and a VDO electric clock. Catalogue estimate of $80k-$100k.

Lot #224: 1960 220SE Convertible. This beautifully restored 220SE Cabriolet has been driven very sparingly and remains in near perfect, virtual show-quality condition throughout. Virtually devoid of cosmetic imperfections, the car presents very nicely with a show-quality undercarriage, a beautifully trimmed interior and a properly detailed engine bay. Other items include a stainless-steel exhaust system, a desirable Becker Mexico radio, a properly fitted convertible top and a set of period-style wide whitewall tires. Estimate: $150k-$200k

Lot #313: 1952 300 Cabriolet D. This example was properly restored in Missouri by its current owner approximately twenty years ago. Receipts are available upon request providing evidence of the work completed. The restoration has endured the years very well, and the vehicle, though driven a bit, has very nice chrome and a nicely detailed engine bay. The original sales brochure is included with the car. It is equipped with Bosch driving lights and rides on Firestone whitewall tires. Overall, this is a nice example of a rare and seldom seen convertible that offers the exclusivity of a coachbuilt car and the quality of a classic Mercedes-Benz. Estimate; $60k-$90k

Lot #374: 1961 300 SL. This wonderful example from 1961 was purchased new in Newport, California and spent most of the intervening years in Coronado, California. Approximately 10 years ago, the current enthusiast-owner acquired it from Paul Russell in Boston, Massachusetts. Since it was already a beautifully running and driving car, the 300 SL was purchased with the intention to be driven and enjoyed first and then restored later. Accordingly, it was shipped to the new ownerâ€™s home in Florida, and soon after, it was serviced, had the belts and hoses changed, and was entered into the New England 1200 classic rally, as well as driven from Florida to New England and back â€“ a total of 3,800 miles. It performed flawlessly. Next, the 300 SL was driven in the Florida 1000 classic rally, running through Northern Florida and Southern Georgia, again performing as it should and accumulating another 1,750 miles. Estimate: $500k-$575k

Lot #320: 1955 300SL. This handsome 300SL, sporting red paint with tan leather interior, has been regularly used in driving events and is fully sorted mechanically. The odometer reads just 77,000 miles, which are believed to be original. Factory original fitted luggage is also included, and the color matches the interior perfectly, further providing evidence that the interior (which has a lovely patina) is most likely original. Inside, youâ€™ll find a Becker Le Mans radio and, in the trunk, the original jack and a complete tool roll (reproduction). All exterior body panels are straight and true, and the undercarriage is equipped with belly pans. This is an exceedingly nice driver quality 300SL that would be welcome at competition and driving events wherever its owner might choose to participate. Estimate $450k-$550k

Lot #319: 1957 300SL Roadster. This striking red roadster with tan leather interior and tan German canvas top was regularly used by its owner in driving events. It has a solid, rust-free body with very nice paint and chrome. In addition, it shows evidence of having been well cared-for and regularly maintained. The trunk is lined with the correct square-weave material, and the jack and complete tool kit are included, both of which appear to be in their original bags. The 300SL today remains one of the greatest production automobiles ever produced and will be forever recognized for sheer performance, heritage, engineering and overall excellence in an automobile. This car is no exception and one that any enthusiast would be proud to own. Estimate: $400k-$450k

Lot #371: 1936 540k Special Cabriolet. The original owner of s/n 130913, William A. Burden, took delivery in Paris, although Mercedes-Benz factory records indicate the car was shipped to New York. There are several possible explanations, but the most likely of these is that the car was ordered through the New York agency but then diverted to Paris at Burdenâ€™s request. Mr. Burden was the patriarch of an established and very wealthy East Coast family with the grandest homes in New York City and relationships to other established families, the Vanderbilts included. In a letter written in 1969 by Burden to the carâ€™s second owner, Herbert Jaffe of Woodbury, New York, Burden relates that he â€œdrove it abroad for several summers, then brought it to the United States.â€ He goes on to describe the other Mercedes-Benz models he had owned before buying the 540K, including a Model K, Model S, SS, SSK, and 770! Even more interesting is Burdenâ€™s explanation of the carâ€™s striking styling. His intention was to â€œproduce something that would give an effect similar to the racing Mercedes of that period,â€ but as one can see from the car, the results were somewhat different. Nonetheless, the Mercedes-Benz is truly remarkable. With its skirted rear fenders and fully disappearing top, it is very sleek looking, while the carâ€™s unique and graceful radiator shell and twin rear spares give the body a French-influenced European flair. The prior owner acquired the car from Roy Jaffe in 2005 before it joined a large private collection in 2007. Today, it continues to benefit from the comprehensive professional restoration that was commissioned by Mr. Jaffe and completed by LaVine Restorations of Nappanee, Indiana. Mechanically, the restoration included a comprehensive rebuild of the original Roots-type supercharger, and in addition, the chassis, suspension, steering and braking systems were restored with all parts either reconditioned or replaced. Estimate: $1.1m-$1.3m

Lot #364: 1911 Mercedes 38/70 hp Seven Passenger Touring. The Mercedes then became part of the Otis Chandler collection in California, before being acquired by the late Mr. John Oâ€™Quinn at the Chandler auction in 2006. Without question one of the most outstanding aspects of this Mercedes is the simple fact that it remains one of the most powerful, mechanically impressive of all chain drive Brass Era Touring cars. The T-Head engine delivers over 70 horsepower, making it one of the largest motors of its time, not to mention rare, and in 1911 few cars could compare with the combination of power, speed and sophistication that this Mercedes would have offered. Col. Coltâ€™s Mercedes remains outstanding in all aspects. The paint, wood and brass are all in excellent condition, and the buttoned black leather upholstery is nearly perfect. The wheels and whitewall tires are superb. The recipient of AACA Senior National First honors, the AACA Cup for an outstanding restoration of a pre-1921 vehicle, the Mayorâ€™s Trophy at the Louis Vuitton Concours in New York City and the coveted Ansel Adams Trophy at the Pebble Beach Concours dâ€™Elegance, this mighty Mercedes remains the perfect contestant for the worldâ€™s most prestigious shows. Estimate: $500k-$600k

Gooding & Company

1928 S Boat tail Speedster, ex Zeppo Marx. Coachwork by Murphy and largely unrestored. A magnificent piece of Hollywood lore and one of a handful of Murphy (Los Angeles) bodied Mercedes of the era.

1955 300SL Gullwing, Silver/Red, Rudge wheels. Estimate $650k-$750k

1961 300SL Roadster, No Reserve. Estimate $600k-$700k.

1943 770 W Pullman. This is a rare sight at auction. Likely one of the last 770s constructed, this handsome and imperial sedan is estimated to sell between $1.5m and $2.0m.

Bonhams(Incomplete Auction list)

1930 Mercedes-Benz 38/250 SS 7.1 liter Sports Tourer Chassis no. 36257 Engine no. 77636. Estimate on request

Russo and Steele

Lot #7006 1971 3.5 Cabriolet. Featured here is a stunning example of a 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5. Recently professionally restored in the correct factory â€˜mittelblauâ€™ metallic over Saddle Roser leather with acres of burl-walnut trim and a contrasting Haartz cloth convertible top, the results are nothing short of stunning, understated opulence combined with the power, handling and ride comfort this generation of Mercedes-Benz automobiles are known for. As all 802 examples that reached the United States were equipped, this car features factory-installed Behr air-conditioning, a Becker Europa stereo radio, dash-mounted clock, power-windows, vacuum-operated power locks and much more.

Lot #7061. This immaculate 1961 190SL sports a completely restored engine and all underhood components by a master Mercedes mechanic. The vendor has detailed paperwork and invoices for all work performed on the vehicle. All exterior chrome was redone. The car's body is in excellent condition and was also restored. A brand-new genuine leather top kit conveys with the car as does an unrestored accessory hard top. Inside, the interior, dash and carpet are complete. Over $20,000 of documented work has been put in to this beautiful vehicle's restoration with needed parts purchased from Mercedes-Benz.

1965 220SE Cabriolet. Owned by Cinema Cars. Imagine cruising the strip with the top down in this car. You will be sure to get front row parking at any of the casinos. Set up the movie poster next to it and let everyone take photos. If you haven't seen the movie "THE HANGOVER" it is one of the best comedies of this past year. This car comes with an authentic signed movie poster off all the main actors. Every time you take this car somewhere people take notice. It is a lot of fun even without the lion in the back! Note: the body damage shown has been repaired!

Links:
RM Auctions
Gooding & Company
Bonhams
Russo and Steele