The Bonhams Mercedes-Benz 2015 auction was held 28 March at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany, resulting in total sales of €13 million and a 92.9% sell-through rate.
Malcolm Barber, Bonhams Co-Chairman and auctioneer for the day, said, “With a full sale room, active internet bidding, and international bidders both in the room and on the telephone, we saw spectacular prices for cars in exemplary condition and with great provenance. Bonhams holds the auction world record for any Mercedes-Benz, achieving £19,601,500 for the 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R Formula 1 single-seater in 2013 – a world record that demonstrates the perfect relationship between Bonhams and Mercedes-Benz.”
A 1938 540 K Cabriolet A was the top sale in the Bonhams Mercedes-Benz 2015 auction. Never before publicly offered, this 540 K with coachwork by Sindelfingen sold to a private German buyer for €2,760,000.
One of only 18 produced, a 1931 770 “Grosser Mercedes” Cabriolet D was an additional highlight of this year’s sale. Originally the property of German actor, producer and director Erik Charell, the “Grosser Mercedes” sold to an auction room bidder for €2,311,500.
Elsewhere, a quartet of 300 SL motor cars, both Gullwing Coupes and Roadsters, achieved excellent prices. Top lot of the series was the 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster previously owned by German industrialist Alfried Krupp, being offered for sale after 35 years of continuous private ownership, selling for €1,121,250. Also attracting spirited bidding, having remained for 48 years in one family, the 1961 300 SL disc brake roadster achieved €1,092,500 and the 1957 300 SL roadster with factory hardtop sold for €1,058,000. Completing the four, the 1957 Gullwing Coupe sold for €1,046,500.
Additional highlights include the 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 Sc Coupe that sold for €572,700; a 115-year-old Benz Ideal 4 1/2 Vis-a-Vis sold for €212,750 and after fierce bidding on the 1931 Mercedes-Benz 15/75 PS Mannheim 370 S roadster, the gavel finally fell at €552,000.
“I’m delighted that the Bonhams international motoring team were our partners at the Mercedes-Benz Museum once again in 2015,” said Michael Bock, head of Mercedes-Benz Classic and Customer Centers. “The auction was a great success. This high level event represents a further consolidation of the excellent relationship between Mercedes-Benz Classic and Bonhams which has been established for two decades.”
Bonhams Mercedes-Benz 2015 – Top 5 Auction Results
1. 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet A – €2,760,000
2. 1931 Mercedes-Benz 770 Cabriolet D – €2,311,500
3. 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster – €1,121,250
4. 1961 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster – €1,092,500
5. 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster – €1,058,000
The Bonhams motoring department will next host their annual single-marque Aston Martin Works Sale on 9 May 2015, followed by the Spa Classic Sale, taking place on 24 May. For more information, visit Bonhams.
[Source: Bonhams]
