RM Auctions has announced that an unrestored 1962 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL roadster is one of four vehicles from a private collection in Michigan that is being consigned for the 16th annual Fort Lauderdale sale scheduled for April 6-7 at the Broward County Convention Center.
The consignor, who has owned the SL for 40 years, also is sending a 1970 Mercedes 280 SL, a 1977 Porsche 911 Turbo Carrera 3.0 and a 1987 Ferrari Testarossa.
“We continuously strive to bring fresh-to-market, sought-after collector cars to auction,” Matt Malamut, an RM Sotheby’s car specialist, is quoted in the news release. “We’re proud to have been entrusted by a true, lifelong enthusiast to offer his long-enjoyed collection in Fort Lauderdale.
“The owner had great foresight in purchasing what would become highly collectible models when they were ‘just cars,’ and these are now examples offered out of one of the most significant terms of ownership we’ve seen in years.”
The ’62 300 SL is chassis 198.042 10,003069, and originally was sold to Sophus Kruse, a prominent realtor in Hamburg, Germany, RM said. As a European-delivery vehicle, it had one-piece “Euro” headlamps and disc brakes. The consignor bought the car in the late 1970s. It had been repainted metallic white but he had it restored to its original factory color while also preserving the original factory interior.
The car also is offered with its original engine, RM said, and its Becker Grand Prix radio and original tool kit. The car, which carries a pre-sale estimated value of $900,000 to $1.2 million, will be on display at the upcoming RM Sotheby’s auction at Amelia Island.
The ’70 280 SL has been part of the consignor’s collection since 1989 and is equipped with a manual transmission, air conditioning and both hard and soft tops. It’s pre-sale estimate is $60,000 to $80,000.
The ’77 911 has been with the consignor since new and has been driven only 35,000 miles. Its estimated value is $100,000 to $130,000.
The ’87 Testarossa was only a month old when the consignor acquired it. It has been driven less than 34,400 miles and comes with a five-piece set of luggage and a pre-sale estimate of $90,000 to $120,000.
The 280, 911 and Ferrari are being offered for sale without reserve.
RM Auctions said the Fort Lauderdale sale will feature some 350 collector cars.