Hammer to fall on one of world's oldest Mercs

By Bill McLauchlan

One of the oldest Mercedes-Benz in the world, a 1905 Simplex 28/32 HPs Phaeton, is to be auctioned next week in London, England by Coys at their True Greats sale on December 3rd. It’s the first time the car will have been sold by auction in its long life.

This Mercedes is one of the oldest surviving examples of the marque in the world today that is still complete and roadworthy, and was for many years in the famous Mercedes-Benz collection of Mr. Arturo Keller in Napa, California, in the United States.

The noted vintner’s Keller Estate Winery, tucked in the rolling hills near Sears Point Raceway in Sonoma’s Petaluma Gap, houses one of the largest and most secret car collections in the world.

Chris Routledge, Managing Partner of Coys, said: “It is amazing to have a car that is nearly 110 years old that is so big, magnificent and powerful. It has the most imposing presence and is such an important piece of early motoring history. Many cars of this period were glorified motorized tricycles, but this represents the ultimate in Edwardian super-technology. It is fascinating to have one of the oldest surviving Mercedes in the world.”

The sale will also feature the 71st Jaguar E-Type to roll off the production line in 1961, estimated at $144,000 to $176,000 Cdn. and a 1929 Bentley Supercharged 4 ½ Litre estimated at $930,000 to $1,120,000.