Arguably the most desirable car in the world, the Mercedes 300 SLR, evokes the timeless style of an era
Ok, so the topic of this post is not our norm. However, when this release landed in my inbox I simply had to share it. Not for the heritage (although highly impressive and outlined later), nor for the record-breaking auction bid of this two-of-a-kind vehicle, but because of its utter timeless elegance.
Am I rambling? Drooling perhaps? I am no aficionado, but I do love a classic car. In a time when the cars on the road merge into one, it is the classics that turn heads with nods of admiration. So, if nothing else, please enjoy and invest in a little daydream drive along the Riviera.
Sold for €135 million at an invitation-only event to benefit a charitable fund being set up by Mercedes-Benz, this is one of only two coupés ever built and the sister car to Stirling Moss’ Mille Miglia-record-breaking, open-cockpit 300SLR.
Both coupés have remained at the Mercedes factory since new, one named Blue for its blue upholstery and this one, named Red, for obvious reasons.
The design shares styling cues with the famous 300 SL ‘Gullwing’ road car but under the skin is a pure competition car with almost no concession to practicality, as none was ever intended to be sold to private clients.
This car was secured by British expert and nephew of 1920s Bentley Boy, Commander Glen Kidston, Simon Kidston for a client. Kidston had lobbied the board of the German company for 18 months to consider selling the car “that would never be sold”.
Formerly president of Bonhams auction house, Simon (pictured above) founded Kidston in 2006, which has since become synonymous with Private Treaty sales of rare and exceptional motor cars. It has offices in Geneva and Dubai and has recently expanded into Italy, where it is developing a car restoration business based on artisanal skills.
For more of the world’s most beautiful cars, I would give the Kidston Instagram a follow.
