Bonhams returns! On March 28, 2015 at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, the tradition-steeped London auction house Bonhams will for the second time be selling off original classic cars made by Mercedes-Benz and its predecessor brands. This marks a continuation of the successful cooperation between Bonhams and Mercedes-Benz Classic from July 2014.
Bonhams‘ Mercedes-Benz Auction
“Unique and authentic vehicles – that’s what characterises and unites Mercedes-Benz and Bonhams. A key role in our shared philosophy is played by the concept of originality,” explains Michael Bock, Director of Mercedes-Benz Classic and Customer Centre. “After this year’s successful auction, we wish once again in 2015 to provide a suitable stage for Bonhams. Not only collectors, but also museum visitors will have an opportunity next spring to relive the fun of the auction at Mercedes-Benz Classic.”
This year’s auction in July 2014 brought in total sales of almost 12 million euros, with over 70 percent of the 40 vehicles on offer changing owner. A Mercedes-Benz 500 K/540 K from 1934 fetched 3.1 million euros alone. One of the special highlights of this year’s auction in July was the DTM vehicle in which Mika Häkkinen won the 2005 DTM race in Spa-Francorchamps. The racing car was sold for 460,000 euros.
The links between Mercedes-Benz Classic and Bonhams have existed since the 1990s, as vehicles used to be auctioned also at the old Mercedes-Benz Museum in Untertürkheim. Last year, the brand historians at Mercedes-Benz Classic furnished Bonhams with a detailed manufacturer’s report on the W 196 R, the only privately owned postwar Silver Arrow, which came under the hammer at the “Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale” on 12 July 2013. Juan Manuel Fangio’s original Grand Prix racing car from 1954 changed hands for a record auction price of around 23.6 million euros.
