A limited-edition 1950s Mercedes-Benz with a rich north-east history will go under the hammer this weekend at the Spirit of Motoring auction at Ascot racecourse.
The 1958 Mercedes-Benz 220S Cabriolet is particularly unusual in being one of just a handful of original right-hand-drive examples built and it is believed that, out of the original 20 produced, only eight remain. The stylish and graceful model has even appeared on the big screen, in films including 1978’s The Big Sleep, with Robert Mitchum, Oliver Reed and Joan Collins, and 2009’s A Single Man, starring Colin Firth.
This particular car that is up for auction has resided in Britain from new and was first registered LRS 26 on May 1, 1958, to Dr Ian Mackenzie Munro, in London, and has been with the current owner, Mike Grubb, since July 1970.
During its ownership, LRS 26 has been loved and cherished. In June 2009, it was collected by Classic Mercedes-Benz and underwent a full body restoration which took over 26 months, undertaken by Walter Nieukoop and his team with receipts in the aforementioned folder totalling over £60,000.
Original items include the original toolkit in roll, jack and all books, as well as the original His Master’s Voice radio, dashboard wood infill with “220” script, V5 document, buff log book and a significant history file.
Since completion of the work, LRS 26 has been awarded best in show at Brodie Castle in 2011 and, in 2012, was awarded best restoration at Forres Vintage and Classic Vehicle Show. Earlier this year, it was awarded the most desired car in the club stand at Forres in conjunction with Mercedes-Benz.
Aberlour local Mr Grubb said he hoped the Cabriolet would remain in the UK once sold, although he recognises that this type of right-hand-drive vehicle has become extremely desirable in an increasingly buoyant Far East market. However, he is happy to pass it on to a new owner.
He said: “My main pleasure and aim has been to get it restored. I turn 70 next March and so it’s time for me to do something different. I look forward to travelling, and am just happy to have had a lot of pleasure out of the car.”
LRS 26 is estimated to go at the Coys of Kensington auction on Saturday afternoon for between £60,000 and £70,000.
For further information on this stunning classic vehicle visit www.coys.co.uk under lot 141 of the Spirit of Motoring auction.