DICTATOR’S MERCEDES, COMPLETE WITH ‘SECRET POLICE’ TECHNOLOGY, OFFERED AT BONHAMS

 

DICTATOR’S MERCEDES, COMPLETE WITH ‘SECRET POLICE’ TECHNOLOGY, OFFERED AT BONHAMS

 

  

 

• The proceeds from the sale of Nicolae Ceaușescu’s Mercedes will now go back to the orphans of Romania who were affected by the dictator’s devastating regime
• It will be sold by Bonhams at the Mercedes-Benz Sale, taking place 19 March
• The Mercedes includes remnants of technology from the secret police

 

A 1973 Mercedes-Benz 350 SL Roadster originally owned by Communist dictator, Nicolae Ceaușescu, will be sold to benefit a charity supporting the innocent victims of Ceaușescu’s brutal regime. It will be sold at Bonhams Mercedes-Benz Sale, taking place in Stuttgart, Germany, on 19 March 2016.

 

Nicolae Ceaușescu was leader of the Communist party of Romania from 1965 to 1989, and had been in this position for six years when he purchased this Mercedes-Benz 350 SL in 1973.

 

He became the country’s President in 1967, until his brutal regime was overthrown by a popular revolt in 1989. After a trial, Ceauşescu and his wife Elena were shot by firing squad on Christmas Day.

 

In 1999, the Romanian government auctioned the Ceauşescus’ estate, and among the items was the Mercedes-Benz now offered.

 

The Mercedes includes remnants of the security system installed by the Romanian secret police, including a Becker Mexico radio, and a Becker short-wave radio system hidden in the glove compartment.

 

All proceeds of the sale will be donated to the charity, CrossCause. An Irish charity, CrossCause was founded in 2003 to support and educate more than 60 special-needs orphans in Romania.

 

Since then the charity’s work has expanded further into Eastern Europe and West Africa. All funds from this sale will help the further expansion of this work.

 

A charity spokesman said: “Immediately after the revolution of 1989 and the execution of Nicolae Ceauşescu, all the failings of the communist regime were highlighted. One of these major failings concerned the children. The funds raised by the sale of this Mercedes will go to benefit the children who suffered at the hands of this regime.”

 

Philip Kantor, Bonhams European Motoring Director, said: “The sale presents a wonderful opportunity to raise money for an incredibly deserving charity through the sale of a motor car so closely connected to Romania’s turbulent history.”  

 

Bonhams Mercedes-Benz Sale will take place on Saturday 19 March in the Mercedes-Benz Museum, Stuttgart, Germany. The Mercedes-Benz Museum charts the entire history of the world’s oldest car manufacturer, with a total of 1,500 exhibits featured in the museum.

 

For further information visit: https://www.bonhams.com/departments/MOT-CAR/

BONHAMS RETURNS TO STUTTGART WITH A MIGHTY MILLION EURO MERCEDES-BENZ

BONHAMS RETURNS TO STUTTGART WITH A

MIGHTY MILLION EURO MERCEDES-BENZ

 

 

 

Bonhams’ return to Stuttgart for the annual single-marque Mercedes-Benz sale will be led by the magnificent 1928 Mercedes-Benz Model K 6,240cc Supercharged Torpedo Transformable. With its superb Saoutchik transformable coachwork, it is estimated at €800,000-1,200,000.

 

With the merger of Daimler and Benz in 1926, two of the motoring world’s most significant motor manufacturing dynasties pooled skills and resources to produce a mighty force in the relatively infant motor industry.

The technical genius of Dr. Ferdinand Porsche, who had joined Daimler in 1923, brought significant influence to the mighty supercharged cars catering for the driver who demanded outstanding touring luxury, combined with top performance. Mercedes-Benz advertising boasted of ‘the fastest sports car in the world’ and referred unashamedly to ‘the Mighty Mercedes’.

 

Mercedes had unveiled two supercharged production models at the 1921 Berlin Show, and had campaigned a supercharged racing car in the 1922 Targa Florio Race in Sicily, all of them designed by the studio of chief designer Paul Daimler. The arrival of Ferdinand Porsche at Mercedes was heralded by significant enhancements to the supercharged six-cylinder models which were to be introduced in late 1924. 

 

 

Image credit: Daimler AG, Mercedes-Benz Classic Archives

 

The Model K o was a true masterpiece, claiming to be the fastest touring car in existence. With so much power on tap, the Model K was not for the faint-hearted, but for the committed driver to experience the thrill of his racing heroes at the wheel of the 6 ¼ litre engine.

 

Writing of the model, motoring correspondent Edgar Duffield reported: “Forget the supercharger, and you have a beautiful touring car. Remember it, use it …. keep at least one eye well ahead – for the glint of sunshine on white-metal buttons!”

 

 

 

 

Philip Kantor, Bonhams European Motoring Director, said: “Bonhams’ record-breaking motoring department returns to Stuttgart for the annual Mercedes-Benz sale. The single-marque auction is a natural partnership for Bonhams, as the world record holders for the most valuable Mercedes-Benz ever sold at auction (the 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R Formula 1 Racing Single-Seater sold by Bonhams for £19,601,500 in 2013).

 

“With some incredible motor cars in the sale, including this glorious green-bodied 1928 Mercedes-Benz Model K with its stunning Saoutchik transformable coachwork, we anticipate another exciting auction at the Mercedes-Benz Museum.”

 

Saoutchik was a coachbuilder deluxe, founded in France in 1906. The company was renowned throughout the 1920s and 1930s for its extravagant and high quality designs, as demonstrated with the vibrant green coachwork featured on the Model K offered.

 

Bonhams Mercedes-Benz Sale will take place on Saturday 19 March in the Mercedes-Benz Museum, Stuttgart, Germany. The Mercedes-Benz Museum charts the entire history of the world’s oldest car manufacturer, with a total of 1,500 exhibits featured in the museum.

 

For further information visit: https://www.bonhams.com/departments/MOT-CAR/

RM SOTHEBY'S - Final Countdown to Amelia Island

RM Sotheby’s will reprise its role as the official auction house of Florida’s renowned Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance next month, with the presentation of its 18th annual collector car sale at the prestigious Ritz-Carlton, March 12. From coachbuilt classics to modern supercars loaded with the latest in automotive technology, the handpicked roster of 90+ automobiles spans over a century of automotive styling and design.

Entries for the March sale are led by a handsome 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Spezial Cabriolet A, chassis no. 408371. A one-off design featuring a bevy of special features including a raked vee’d windshield, louvered front hood, fitted luggage and five-speed transmission, this stunning 540 K boasts an exceptional provenance highlighted by some of the most famous names in the hobby (Est. $3,000,000 - $4,000,000).

• a 1932 Ford Model 18 Edsel Ford Speedster; the first of three one-off custom speedsters designed by Bob Gregorie for Edsel Ford, this once long lost and now beautifully restored Ford has never before been offered for public sale (Est. $1,200,000 - $1,400,000);
• a 1953 Siata 300 BC Barchetta by Bertone, campaigned in Pennsylvania hill climbs and ice races in period and offered in largely original condition from its owner of an incredible 60 years (Est. $200,000 - $250,000);
• a 1963 Shelby 289 Cobra, CSX 2188, the recipient of an exacting restoration by marque experts and stunning in black over red with chrome wire wheels (Est. $950,000 - $1,200,000);
• a 1984 Ferrari 288 GTO, the first 288 GTO officially delivered in Japan (Est. $2,300,000 - $2,600,000); and,
• a 2014 Pagani Huayra, a design and performance masterpiece capable of sprinting 0 – 60 in just 3.0 seconds and showing less than 400 miles from new (Est. $1,900,000 - $2,200,000).

In addition to its traditional automobile offering, RM Sotheby’s is proud to support the fundraising initiatives of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance via the presentation of a series of charity lots at the start of the March 12 auction, with proceeds benefiting Spina Bifida of Jacksonville.

A complete list of offerings is found in the digital catalogue, now available for downloading here. Further information, hi-res images and interview opportunities with RM Sotheby’s specialists are available and can be easily arranged upon request. Additionally, we’d like to take this opportunity to extend you an invite to join us at the event where an exciting range of media opportunities will be available. To register for media credentials, please click here.

SILVERSTONE AUCTIONS - Record Results at Race Retro

AUCTION TORQUE

Record Results at Race Retro   After an incredible weekend at Race Retro we achieved fantastic results for our vendors in three days of auctions in front of hundreds of historic motorsport fans, with total sales of £5million, more than £1.5million up on last year’s total. We secured two new world record prices and once again we’ve been able to host a highly successful auction with both happy sellers and happy buyers by offering a special combination of auction atmosphere and some of the finest cars available on the market. As well as classic road cars, more than £580,000 worth of competition cars were also sold in our first separate race car auction at the show. See all the results here. Read on for the highlight cars of the weekend. 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II With an incredibly low mileage of 1,723 miles, this Evolution II was presented in superb order and received phone and online bids from all over the world, selling to a round of applause for more than double its lower estimate. Sold for (£): 292,500 – new world record 1987 Ford Capri 280 'Brooklands' As one of just 1,038 examples produced, this Capri offered an incredible opportunity to buyers, presented in superb condition as the lowest mileage 280 'Brooklands' in existence today with an unbelievable 936 miles from new. Sold for (£): 54,000 – new world record 1995 Ford Escort RS Cosworth LUX Presented in excellent condition having covered a mere 5,300 miles, this best of breed Cosworth proved the popularity of Fast Fords in the market today. Sold for (£): 52,875 1972 Ford Escort Mexico This exceptional Mexico with just 500 miles on the clock since full restoration was sold for more than £16,000 over its lower estimate. Sold for (£): 43,875 1958 Aston Martin DB2/4 MKIII Saloon Having been cherished by the same family for nearly six decades and significantly restored, buyers were clearly impressed by this Aston Martin, smashing its estimate by nearly £50,000. Sold for (£): 208,125 2004 Porsche Carrera GT This exceptional Carrera GT with a superb specification is one of only 1,270 cars built by Porsche, and with a recorded mileage of just 18,018 miles, this show stopping example achieved the highest sale price of the weekend. Sold for (£): 427,500 1981 Lamborghini Countach LP400 S One of just seven produced, this very rare, right-hand drive 1981 Lamborghini Countach LP400 S, with only 38,221 miles on the clock, proved its iconic status with an impressive sale price. Sold for (£): 213,750 1994 Jaguar XJ220 This stunning XJ220 with just 4,200 kilometres from new, achieved an excellent price alongside an array of other supercars in the sale room. Sold for (£): 275,625 2001 Honda NSX This beautiful UK right-hand drive, six speed manual NSX came to auction with just 33,000 miles as one of only eight NSXs delivered into the UK in 2001, and sold for nearly £15,000 over its lower estimate. Sold for (£): 69,750 1999 Ferrari 550 Maranello Ferrari 550 Maranellos are proving to be the next big thing in the classic Ferrari market. Reading only 21,000 miles and presented in the special order colour of Canna di Fucile, this example sold for more than £30,000 over its lower estimate. Sold for (£): 110,250 Our next sale Our next sale will take place at the Practical Classics Restoration and Classic Car Show at the NEC, Birmingham on Sunday 6th March. 70 special classic cars, modern sportscars and supercars, restoration projects and a host of automobilia and luxury watches will be on offer. You can view the full lot list and register to bid below:

VIEW LOT LIST   REGISTER TO BID

Join the conversation If you are unable to attend the event, you can follow the sale results live via our Facebook and @silverstoneauc, or via Proxibid. You can get in touch by calling our team on +44 (0)1926 691141 or by emailing enquiries@silverstoneauctions.com. FORTHCOMING AUCTIONS The Restoration Show Sale 2016 6th March 2016 The May Sale 2016 2nd May 2016 The Classic Race Aarhus Auction 28th & 29th May 2016 Silverstone Classic Competition Car Sale 28th July 2016 The Silverstone Classic Sale 2016 30th & 31st July 2016 The Salon Privé Sale 2016 2nd September 2016 The Porsche Sale 2016 15th October 2016 NEC Classic Motor Show Sale 12th & 13th November 2016

Spring Classics’ Car Auction: Private preview, wine tasting, tax and classic car market advice

‘Spring Classics’ Car Auction: Private preview, wine tasting, tax and classic car market advice

The invitation only event will include: Wine tasting from the French Loir and Loire regions, courtesy of the Hotel de France and their wine expert The latest classic car market advice from Chris Routledge, CEO of COYS A presentation on classic car tax issues from Caroline Le Jeune, partner at London Chartered Accountants Blick Rothenberg LLP A preview of the COYS driving tour to the Hotel de France from 13 -17 April 2016 with hotel owner Martin Overington and Classic GT’s specialist tour manager Thomas Brimblecombe Guests will have the opportunity to view the cars that will be up for auction the following day, and seek advice from COYS and Blick Rothenberg experts who will be on hand to answer their questions.

6 - 8pm Monday 7 March 2016 Royal Horticultural Society, Lindley Hall, Vincent Square, Westminster, London SW1P 2PE To register for this event, please email holly.curtis@coys.co.uk

Fascinating collection of classic cars at our Catawiki auction

Fascinating collection of classic cars at our Catawiki auction Coming Monday, our current Classic Car auction, featuring a fascinating collection of exceptional classic cars, will be coming to a close. Among the various lots open for bidding, you'll find several Dodges, Pontiacs, Chevrolets, Cadillacs, Volkswagens, Chryslers and much more. Here's a selection of what's on offer: 1: Ford Tudor Deluxe (1938) 2: Jaguar E-type (1972) 3: Lancia Fulvia (1973) 4: Mercedes-Benz 380 SL (1985) 5: Fiat 500 Abarth (1970) If you'd like to have a look at the other lots, please visit the auction here! Lots in our current auction will be closing February 29th, from 8pm.

BUMPER CROWD ATTENDS H&H’S INAUGURAL DONINGTON PARK AUCTION

BUMPER CROWD ATTENDS H&H’S INAUGURAL DONINGTON PARK AUCTION

With plenty of free parking and a generously sized exhibition centre - appropriately named The Engine Room - the famous East Midlands circuit was easily able to accommodate the masses that descended upon it for yesterday’s inaugural H&H Classics sale which at its peak numbered close to 1,000 people.

Bidding was also impressive with 91% of the motorcycles and 76% of the motorcars finding new homes with several provisional sales still pending.

Feedback from both new and existing clients was overwhelmingly positive and H&H will be returning to Donington Park on May 18^th, July 28^th and November 16^th this year. As a Generalist Auction it was aimed at the more accessible / affordable end of the market and so open to a broad spectrum of entries including future classics.

Proof that interesting motorcars need not be expensive, Lot 1 – a c.1939 Morgan 4-4 restoration project – attracted a huge amount of interest. Offered for sale at no reserve, it drew a flurry of bids and eventually made £6,048. Most probably unique in having being owned by three Members of Parliament who all hailed from the same family, the 1959 Armstrong Siddeley Star Sapphire was driven to the auction direct from the House of Commons and comfortably surpassed its guide price by fetching £10,640.

In need of refurbishment, the c.1933 BSA Three-Wheeler Twin intrigued many but is now bound for Europe at £7,280. Strong interest was shown in the 1959 Triumph TR3A, 1965 Triumph TR4A IRS and 1980 Land Rover Series III that commanded £22,400, £20,720 and £11,312 respectively. A pair of left-hand drive Alfa Romeos offered for sale at no reserve were eagerly contested too with the 1991 Spider 2.0 S4 Automatic making £7,504 and the 1984 GTV 2.0 drawing £6,944.

The majority of the motorcycles on offer hailed from a Spanish collection with a trials bias. Thus, strong performers included a 1974 Ossa Mick Andrews Replica 250 (£2,240), 1975 Bultaco Lobito Mk8 (£1,859) and 1970s Montesa Enduro H 125 (£1,736). Though, a 1968 BSA D14/4 Bantam that had been family owned for 40 years had more than its fair share of admirers and took £1,512.

H&H’s next auction will be a Specialist Sale held at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford on April 20^th and is currently headlined by one of the very first competition Jaguar E-types – chassis 0007 – and a special order 1954 Lagonda 3 Litre Drophead Coupe that was supplied new to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.