I enjoy a good auction as it is an opportunity to see cars that you will never see at your average classic car show. Whether you are a fan of an everyday classic, a motorsport icon or a classy car driven by a movie star there will be an auction somewhere to suit you. Who knows you might even end up buying one.
This stunning and rare 1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster has just been sold by H&H Classics auction at Kelham Hall in Nottinghamshire.
Estimated at Ā£650,000-Ā£750,000, (it sold for just over Ā£745 000 inc fees) the car was one of the highlights among an estimated 100 or so classic, collector and performance motorcars and motorcycles.
Highly desirable, it is one of just 209 alloy block, Dunlop four-wheel disc brake 300SL Roadsters ever produced. It is now fitted with an earlier cast-iron cylinder block, as a large proportion of the alloy block equipped cars tended to warp when overheated, due to it being a relatively new technology. It is described by the vendor as being matching numbers in all other aspects.
It has formed the centre piece of a private collection that once totalled more than 100 cars and which included an earlier 300SL Gullwing. . An iconic classic, this notably late example was supplied new to America but has been resident in Europe and UK since 1995.
It was subjected to an extensive ābare metalā bodywork restoration in 1996 – 1997, and was subsequently reconfigured as a ārallywagenā during 2003 before being campaigned on numerous historic rallies and tours.
Wearing a pleasant careworn patina, meaning it can be developed āas isā or restored to showroom condition once more, the Roadster is understood to retain its original chassis, body and gearbox, plus the original differential is supplied separately to the car having been previously exchanged for a limited-slip type, more suitable for competition work.
To view the online catalogue and auction results as well as upcoming auctions visit www.handh.co.uk
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I believe it actually sold for Ā£595,000, a friend was at the auction, well under the anticipated priceš„“
Ā£595 was the hammer price but the price quoted in the article included fees, commisions and taxes. This was supplied by the auctioneers. But as you say, below estimate.