True Blue Benzes in Shannons Summer Sale

MELBOURNE – Nov 2, 2012: A pair of ‘true blue’ Australian-delivered Mercedes-Benz SL Roadsters will tempt Teutons at Shannons Melbourne Summer Classic Auction on Monday November 26

The pair – a stunning fully-restored 1961 four cylinder 190SL and a three-owner 1993 quad cam V8-engined 500SL – are both finished in Dark Blue with Grey trim and fitted with both fabric and Factory hard tops.

The 190SL, which is presented in superb condition, was the subject of a full, bare-metal restoration overseen by 190SL Specialist the late Noel Harding, with body and paintwork completed by Peter Todd.

Completed in the mid-1990s, the car was sold shortly afterwards. However it has been retained by the same owner since and has done minimal mileage due to him being based overseas. It remains in wonderful condition and has won many Mercedes Car Club awards across Victoria, New South Wales and Canberra.

Shannons predict it will sell in the $85,000-$105,000 range.

The 500SL with its 244kW quad camshaft 5.0-litre V8 engine was the pinnacle model of the Mercedes-Benz range when it was launched at the 1989 Geneva Motor Show and remains a stunning-looking vehicle today.

Its fully electric soft-top and 0-100km/h in 6.0 seconds performance made it a very rapid and practical daily driver – qualities it retains today.

This well-presented late series example has covered just 136,581 indicated kilometres since new and comes with books showing a complete service history.

It is expected to sell in the $26,000-$32,000, making it excellent value for money compared to contemporary Mercedes-Benz SL models.

Other outstanding vehicles in the November 26 auction include a fascinating pair of four cylinder Porsches – a rare 1953 ‘Bent Screen’ right hand drive Pre-A coupe in beautiful original condition and a left hand drive 912 coupe; a trio of ‘muscle cars’ – a rare 429ci alloy block V8-engined Robnell ‘Cobra’, a 1993 right hand drive Dodge Viper RT/10 Roadster and a nicely-presented left hand drive 1970 Ford Mustang Mach I 428ci Fastback; and three stunning American classics – a 1927 Pierce Arrow Model 80, a spectacular RHD 1938 Graham 96 ‘Sharknose’ Sedan and a 1947 RHD Packard ‘Eight’ Clipper Coupe.

The auction will also see a number of classic motorcycles – including two very desirable Ducatis – go under the hammer, along with a range of Heritage black and white numberplates, headed by the Victorian triple-digit ‘385’.