Mercedes models spanning 50 years come to Historics auction

Having delivered strong Mercedes-Benz sales figures in 2010, classic and sports car auctioneer Historics brings a thoroughly eclectic mix of classic and more contemporary models - spanning 50 years - to its first auction of 2011, on the 3rd March at Brooklands.

With residuals on the rise, the Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet is attracting significant interest throughout Europe, Asia and Australasia.  Having sold a right-hand drive model in its September sale for £80,000, Historics anticipates that a 1970 concours condition left hand drive example at the 3rd March sale will stir significant interest, at a valuation in the region of £80,000 - £100,000.

With rich Tobacco Brown paintwork – courtesy of Nigel Cooper coachworks – and the original luxurious leather Cognac interior, FYY 534H also boasts the highly desirable factory-fitted air conditioning unit, and with it’s status approved by SS Motors of Weybridge, has been showcased at nearby Mercedes-Benz World for the past six months.

Another model to feature strongly in 2010 was the 190SL, with Historics selling four of the compact sports cars, including a debut sale of a 1960 silver SL for £20,000 over the estimate at £67,050.  The imminent sale features a 1961 model with white coachwork and contrasting red leather interior, and is expected to attract offers upwards of £40,000 - £50,000, reflecting the growing popularity of this car.

Boasting the same colour scheme, albeit among the more modern Mercedes to make the block in March, is a 2010 SLS AMG – the spiritual successor to the 300SL Gullwing - which bristles with a raucous 6.3 litre V8 engine, punching out a vigorous 563hp and capable of sprinting from 0-62mph in just 3.8 seconds, with a restricted top speed of 197mph.

Having completed just 2,700 miles since build and coming complete with every imaginable driver aid and accessory, the highly-desirable left hand drive SLS is expected to spur interest around £165,000 - £180,000, still comfortably under half the price of an original ‘Gullwing’.

A second ‘AMG’ to feature at the forthcoming sale, and the fifth generation of the legendary SL series, is a 2003 SL55 AMG, also known as the R230.  A £90,000 car when purchased new, the 5.5 Litre V8 powered two-door convertible features black coachwork and grey Nappa leather interior, and is estimated to generate bids in the region of £20,000 - £25,000.

And finally…strictly speaking neither a classic nor a sports car, a 2007 Mercedes Sprinter 315CDI ‘Sportshomes’ Camper, uprated to the tune of £35,000 and including leather bench seats, flatscreen tv and full cooking and entertaining facilities, could be the ideal companion to a ‘classic’ at a weekend away, and has a sale estimate of £28,000 - £35,000.

For more information, and to attend the Historics at Brooklands auction on the afternoon of 3rd March, visit historics.co.uk.