Photography by RM Auctions and Angus Dunwoody Dun

Among the group of cars to be auctioned by RM Auctions during Wednesday’s Automobiles of London will be two exceedingly rare Mercedes-Benz – a 600 LWB Landaulet and one of Royal Family of Brunei’s AMG modified 300SL Gullwings. The sale of these two cars will offer bidders an opportunity to acquire a couple of marvelous automobiles.

1969 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Landaulet

Tatty 600 LWB Landaulet the most regal postwar Mercedes-Benz and a favorite of Pope's and dictators alike. Pullman's 153.5 inch wheelbase is almost 28 inches longer than that of a 2009 S550.

With only 59 constructed, the sale of a Mercedes-Benz 600 Landaulet is rare indeed. RM auctions has managed to unearth what appears to be essentially a barn find example in black with red leather. Despite the catalog’s generally benign description – “the underside and chassis would require attention” (!) – the car you see here requires a comprehensive 100% restoration, a project akin to restoring a motor yacht or perhaps a medium size private airplane. $400k to $500k might take care of this. The auction estimates a selling range of between $65k and $95k. We know one of our readers will be bidding on the car and will keep you up to date on the sale. (Update October 28, 2009 8:13 am – This Landaulet sold for an astonishing $440k.)

Looking through divider window opening toward cavernous rear seat area. Roof area over rear seat folds down for open air touring amongst the masses. The amount of leather and wood in this car is simply staggering.

While the auction catalog noted it among many missing items, I spy the suspension air compressor among the jumble of pieces in the trunk.

After 3-4 years of specialist work and perhaps $500k, this is what RM's Landaulet could look like. Will the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center try to buy this car?

1954(1996) Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe

Equally exciting as the Landaulet, the ruling family of Brunei’s “resto-mod” 1954 Gullwing is a car that few have known existed and fewer have actually seen in the light of day. An example of AMG’s German personalization studio’s ability to upgrade virtually any Mercedes-Benz to any level of performance, this Gullwing is one of eight coupes (4 rhd and 4 lhd)each built at a cost of one million Euros between 1996 and 2009.

Late model alloys do nothing for the Gullwing's appearance. Note power outside rear view mirrors and lack of bumper guards. R129 series (1990-2002) SL provided rear suspension components.

Normally aspirated 6 liter M119 series engine (probably sourced from 1999-2002 E55) produces 380hp and mated to 4-speed automatic transmission. The car is fully compliant with stringent Euro2 emissions regulations.

Massive interior updates include Recaro seats trimmed in Nappa leather, alcantara headliner, "piano black" dash face, large center console and steering wheel/column sourced from R129 SL.

Other details of this most unusual Gullwing include C36 front brakes, W124 E-class rear brakes, R129 chassis SL rear suspension, adjustable shocks and 17″ alloy wheels. The auction estimate values the car between $550k-$715k. Today, $715k buys the best correct Gullwing on the planet. While fabrication and overall finish is quite likely spectacular, I’m just not sure who will buy this car. (Update October 28, 2009 8:13am – After vigorous bidding, this modified Gullwing sold for $679k.)

The best of both worlds? What do you think?

We’ll have a comprehensive article on most of the Mercedes sales during this auction in our next free e-Newsletter. Be sure to Subscribe if you haven’t already done so.

Please comment on this article below.

Roy Spencer, editor MercedesHeritage.com

Photography from Roy Spencer

Mercedes-Benz is in the unique position among automobile manufacturers of being able to draw inspiration from and create brand awareness around both its 120 years of vehicle production and extensive racing exploits dating to the first quarter of the 20th century.

The task of insuring its current and future North American passenger car owners remain cognizant of the mechanical dna linking the most mundane new C300 to the legendary Mercedes-Benz products of years past, racing or otherwise, falls to the Classic Center in Irvine, California.

Celebration of mid-size sedan production covered seven decades beginning with a spectacular 170D.

It’s hard to stand out during the Monterey Classic Car week in August, but Center director Mike Kunz orchestrated a dynamic display that was a weekend destination in itself. One of the longest standing sponsors of the Pebble Beach Concours, Mercedes-Benz remains absolutely confident in the future of their products and their expansive presence reflected this philosophy. Despite today’s challenging automobile sales climate, this gorgeous display was their largest at Pebble Beach to date.

Lineup of spotless old and young timers spanned 1955-1987. Superb 13k mile Alpine White 1987 560SL on offer for $46k.

Against the glorious backdrop of Pebble Beach fairways stood an elegant showroom in front of which were displayed a variety of the Center’s inventory for sale and a clever lineup of mid-size sedans beginning with a spotless 170D and culminating with the new “E” class, albeit the sexy new coupe. Fintails, pontons, 115 chassis, 123 chassis sedans; each generation was represented. Any visitor curious about the driving experience of two of the most significant recent models from Stuttgart, were treated with quick drives in an SLR roadster and a Maybach sedan.

Spectacular display of competition cars spanned 1934-1952. 1939 W154 Grand Prix car shares the floor with early competition W194 Gullwing provided by Fastwelve LLC.

However, the real gems were quietly sitting inside the elegant glass showroom. Perhaps for the first time in North America, Mercedes-Benz assembled a mouth watering display of its Silver Arrows: a W25, two W154s, a W196 streamliner and an early 194 series racing Gullwing. This was an extraordinary group of cars that represented the Mercedes-Benz competition department’s domination of motorsport from 1934-1940 and its phoenix-like rise from the rubble of WW2 to motorsport dominance again from 1953-1955.

W25 carried 314hp straight eight and weighed 750 kg (1,653 lbs). Celebrating the W25's initial victory at the Eifelrennen 75 years ago prompted fabulous display.

Surely there had to be a reason for this display and indeed there was: 2009 marks 75 years since the W25 Grand Prix car triumphed at the 1934 German Grand Prix to began the era of the “Silver Arrows.” We were all treated to a rare glimpse of some of the jewels usually residing at the Mercedes-Benz Museum.

On loan from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum, this W196 streamliner was used for high speed GP tracks in 1954.

Sharing the showroom with the race cars was the newest iteration of the Maybach (the $1.3m Zeppelin ), a freshly restored Strawberry Red 300SL roadster, an E63 and – connecting the new Zeppelin to its inspiration from the classic era – a lovely 1932 Maybach DS8 Zeppelin. Parts manager Tom Hanson and restoration manager Jeff Cote were on hand to assist with any parts/restoration questions.

1939 430hp W154 a rare sight in North America. Two examples were on hand courtesy of the Keller Collection and the Miles Collier Collection.

Chatting with Mike Kunz late Saturday afternoon revealed a successful although very tiring few days; the Strawberry roadster was in negotiation “north of $700k” and the deep red 220SE Ponton convertible sold. Yes, the Classic Center not only supplies parts, service and restoration services, but is also in the business of selling spectacular and unique Mercedes classics. The Classic Center’s inventory is located here.

Freshly restored 300SL Roadster in rare Strawberry Red (DB543) sale was under negotiation as the Pebble Beach weekend closed.

SLR Developments

Adding to the general excitement enveloping the Classic Center’s Pebble Beach enclave was the appearance Saturday of the wild SLR Stirling Moss Edition. A pre-production example and not entirely functional, it was an impressive bit of muscular automotive sculpture. For obvious reasons, this 650 hp speedster will not be available in the US.

First West Coast view of the Stirling Moss Edition SLR caused plenty of excitement.

Talking with William Vetter, Assistant Product Manager for Maybach and SLR in the “Exclusive Vehicles Group”, revealed that right before the end of the USA production for the SLR last December, the final few vehicles were ordered in the rarest colors of the SLR color pallette. The intent was to make these final vehicles as unique as the 722s SLR Roadster special edition which officially commemorated the end of the USA production run. I spied a bright Yellow roadster sitting behind the Mercedes enclave and it looked smashing. This privately owned vehicle which Mercedes-Benz welcomed to the display further illustrates how an such an iconic car can be even more breathtaking when paint color is unique. Vetter will undoubtedly now turn his attention to the latest “Exclusive Vehicle,” the fabulous new SLS AMG Gullwing.

Tired of Silver and Black SLRs? The final few SLRs produced have been painted in some wonderfully stunning colors such as this vibrant Yellow.

Roy Spencer, editor MercedesHeritage.com

Recommended reading: The Mercedes-Benz Racing Cars by Karl Ludvigsen ISBN 0-87880-009-3

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