Legendary Mercedes left to gather dust for half a century hits auction for MILLIONS – and is the only one of its kind
A CLASSIC car that was left to gather dust for half a century is now going on auction for a whopping £4.5m.
The 1956 Mercedes-Benz has the only “Alloy” Gullwing originally finished in black over red leather - making it an extremely sought-after purchase.
Shockingly, the beauty was hidden away in a junkyard until the in Phoenix, Arizona.
The listing states: "The “Alloy” Gullwing was not skin-deep, but a full-force competition car, fitted not only with a lightweight body, but with the more powerful NSL engine, sports suspension, 4.11:1 rear axle, Rudge knock-off wheels, even a Plexiglas rear window and side screens.
“One of the most exciting post-war Mercedes-Benzes to be offered in decades.”
Despite slight signs of damage, and 45,600 miles on the clock, it's still a collectors dream and is number 26 of 29 ever produced.
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The majestic motor was owned by famed Ferrari importer and Le Mans champion Luigi Chinetti.
It was later taken on by Rudi Klein in August 1976 and was the only vehicle among Rudi’s collection of motors that he never drove or exhibited, according to The Klein sons.
This is what propabbly allowed it to last so long, as very few of these competition cars have survived.
However, in 1981, Rudi apparently backed into the beloved Gullwing with his forklift, leaving a large dent the back of the car.
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During its lifespan parts of the car was sold off, including the front bumpers, the shift knob, the tool kit, the jack, and the spare wheel among them.
Now the vehicle, which hasn't seen the outside of the Klein yard in nearly 50 years, is being sold by RM Sotheby’s for “The Junkyard: The Rudi Klein Collection.”
Now marked as 'sold', the rest of the car description details the car's history.
It reads: “Following the competition success of the W194 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Carrera Panamericana, Mercedes-Benz sought to create a mildly tamed version that customers could drive on the road.
“In recognition of the United States as a critical market, and with New York importer Max Hoffman insisting upon the model’s production for his elite clientele, the W198, soon known as the 300 SL and informally as the “Gullwing,” debuted at the 1954 International Motor Sports Show in New York.
“The 300 SL would, in fact, be the first Mercedes-Benz ever shown overseas before being revealed in its home country.
“One year into the production run, Mercedes-Benz’s chief of engineering, Dr. Fritz Nallinger, proposed that a special competition variant of the car be built, aimed at the privateers and amateur racers who had begun driving their 300 SLs in anger.
“In February 1954, Dr. Nallinger convinced the board of directors to go ahead with the special-order model, marketed with classic understatement as Light Metal Version.
“All of this added a remarkable £983 to the base price of a standard 300 SL.
“The prohibitive cost, as well as competition from more established racing car manufacturers, namely Ferrari, resulted in the Alloy Gullwing being made for only 12 months, and just 29 examples were produced.
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“Aside from paint, unrestored with its original interior, body, engine, gearbox, rear axle, steering box, and front spindles.
“Accompanied by Mercedes-Benz delivery information and fascinating documentation."
