By Classic Yorkshire contributor Tony Lofthouse
A rare dust-covered Mercedes could fetch a staggering £4 million at auction next week.
The 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing comes with its original graphite-grey finish and leather interior.
The car belonged to Paris-based Claude Foussier, the first Coca Cola importer in Europe and is one of only 30 examples delivered new in France. The car was sold in 1961 to a buyer who held onto it for over 50 years.
After being kept in storage in Germany it returned to Paris. It changed hands again in 2014 and amazingly the current owner lives in Foussier’s former address taking the history of the car full circle!
Paris auction house, Artcurial, say the car is in ‘astonishing 100% original condition …. showing just 34,000km on the clock’.
They say ‘it retains its original paint, natural leather interior, complete factory-original mechanical components, its luggage set, tool kit, original license plate and even the dust that protects it from the passages of time’.
The Mercedes- Benz 300 SL is considered one of the greatest sports cars of all time and this car is one of only 106 produced in graphite-grey.
It will go under the hammer on 27th January. For more details click www.artcurial.com/en/articles/artcurial-motorcars-discovers-an-automotive-treasure-in-paris