December 20, 2024

Forgotten Treasure: Vintage Mercedes Spent 63 Years in a Barn, Set to Fetch £180,000 at Sale

A vintage motor that spent 63 years in a derelict barn is to go up for sale for a staggering price.

An incredibly rare 1933 Mercedes 370 S Mannheim Sport Cabriolet is considered a collectible by classic car fanatics with just 195 ever built… and it could fetch up to £180,000.

This incredibly rare Mercedes has never been damaged or restored, but will require some restoration

This incredibly rare Mercedes has never been damaged or restored, but will require some restorationCredit: BNPS

The vintage beauty was built in 1933 and has spent 63 years locked in a barn

The vintage beauty was built in 1933 and has spent 63 years locked in a barn

Little is known of the car’s early years but it’s believed this model was first stored in a British-occupied area of Berlin before it was later acquired by a serving member of the RAF and imported to the UK in 1955.

As reported by London-based auctioneers RM Sotheby’s, the car was sold to a woman named Dorothy Stewart, and in 1958 it passed into the care of the owner’s father – who purchased it from a dealer for £250, about £5,000 today.

But a growing family meant he had to buy a more practical vehicle, so the Mercedes was locked away in a barn and subsequently forgotten about.

It emerged 63 years later in its original condition although in dire need of renovation.

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The rusting car, which officially goes up for auction on November 4, has a 3.8 litre six-cylinder engine which gives it 75bhp and a top speed of 75mph.

Annette Abaci, a senior car specialist at RM Sotheby’s, said: “Not only is this car one of only 195 examples ever built but it is a great example of a timewarp car that’s never been damaged or restored.

“Over 60 years of the same family ownership, this is now a fantastic opportunity to either bring it back to its former glory or give it a bit of TLC and present it at various concourses.

“This is an opportunity that rarely comes up.”

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This comes after a rare Ferrari F50 owned by Rod Stewart is up for auction and could sell for up to £3m.

This comes after a heavily damaged Lamborghini destroyed by Leonardo DiCaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street is set to sell for a jaw-dropping price.

DiCaprio, playing stockbroker and convicted fraudster Jordan Belfort, drove the 1989 Countach model while filming the beloved 2013 film.

In one scene, he wrecks the £576,000 sports car while high on drugs as he attempts to make it home in a near-paralytic state.

The legendary motor represents a 'fantastic opportunity' to be brought back back to its former glory 'with a bit of TLC'

The legendary motor represents a ‘fantastic opportunity’ to be brought back back to its former glory ‘with a bit of TLC’

The rusting car goes up for auction in London on November 4

The rusting car goes up for auction in London on November 4

It was last purchased in 1958 from a dealer for £250, about £5,000 today

It was last purchased in 1958 from a dealer for £250, about £5,000 todayCredit: BNPS

The German motor could sell for up to £180,000 at an auction

The German motor could sell for up to £180,000 at an auction

It's believed this model was first stored in a British-occupied area of Berlin before being imported to the UK

It’s believed this model was first stored in a British-occupied area of Berlin before being imported to the UK

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