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Bonhams' Debut Mercedes Auction Yields €12 Million
Bonhams' inaugural Mercedes-Benz sale achieved almost €12 million (£9.4m) at auction in Stuttgart, Germany last week.
With almost 50 cars consigned from clients around the world, and models of the marque spanning over 100 years, the sale at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart.was a resounding success.
Some auction highlights included the €3.1 million (£2.5 million) sale of a 1934 Mercedes-Benz 500 K special roadster, a unique variation of Mercede’ top of the line 1930s luxury sports car. Proceeds from the sale will go to the Swedish Cancer Society and The Swedish Alzheimer’s Foundation.
Other notable sales included a 1901 Benz Ideal 7hp Twin Cylinder "Contra-Motor" Vis-à-vis, designed by German engineer and Mercedes-Benz founding father Carl Benz, which yielded €471,500 (£374,541).
Malcolm Barber, Bonhams Co-Chairman and auctioneer on the day, said: “Today’s sale demonstrated the fantastic diversity and engineering excellence available from the Mercedes-Benz classic motor car range.
“We’re delighted to have placed a marker in the history books, as the first ever auction to be held in the new Mercedes-Benz museum in Stuttgart, and Bonhams’ largest Mercedes-Benz sale ever - achieving almost €12 million for some very happy bidders.”
The Mercedes-Benz Museum maps the entire history of the world’s oldest car manufacturer with a total of 1,500 exhibits, including 160 vehicles, on display.