Flushed with the success of its recent European foray with a $multi-million sale at Maranello in May this year, the Canadian auction house RM will be holding an event at Battersea Park in the heart of London that will feature over 50 cars from the private collection of ‘Mr Formula One’; Bernard Charles "Bernie" Ecclestone.
A car enthusiast to his boots, Ecclestone has collected a variety of vehicles over the years, mixing priceless racing machinery with an eclectic selection of production road cars that form the bulk of the entries to RM’s sale.
A key part of the Bernie Ecclestone Collection must be the group of pre-War Mercedes, and top billing would have to go to the 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Spezial Roadster, likely to be estimated at between $5.5million and $6.5million. Other powerful early Stuttgart cars include a 1928 SSK, a 1930 SS two-door Tourer, a 1931 SSKL, a 1935 500K Special Cab A, and a 1937 540K Cabriolet A.
 1954 250 Europa GT MKII |
 1931 Mercedes-Benz SSKL |
Needless to say more modern Mercedes entries number a 1955 300SL Gullwing and a 1963 300SL Roadster. From Ferrari there will be a 1954 250 Europa GT MKII, as well as other road cars likely to include at least one of the rare early-production 206 Dinos.
Such is the breadth of Ecclestone’s interest in all things four-wheeled that there will also be a couple of Fiat 500s and VW Beetles all, we understand, in characteristically immaculate condition.
The sale will feature other entries, and will be held at Battersea Park on October 31st from 17.00 to 23.00.
Timetable:
PREVIEW:
October 30, 2007
11:00 AM - 5:30 PM
October 31, 2007
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
GALA RECEPTION:
October 30, 2007
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
By invitation only.
ADMISSION:
Admission to this event requires the purchase of an official auction catalogue available for 50£ GBP or $100 US (plus S&H). The catalogue admits two and must be presented at the entrance to the sale to be granted entry.
AUCTION LOCATION
Battersea Park
The British Genius Site, Battersea Park
London, SW11 4NJ UK
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RM Auctions in association with Sotheby's
34-35 New Bond Street London W1A 2AA UK UK Telephone: +44 (0)207 293 6336 Fax: +44 (0)207 293 6337 North America Telephone: +1 519 352 45 75 Website: www.rmauctions.com Email: [email protected]. |
Text: Steve Wakefield
Photos: RM Auctions - Strictly Copyright
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