Early Mercedes sells for £720,000

ONE OF the oldest surviving Mercedes cars has sold at auction for an astronomical fee.

The Mercedes Simplex 28/32 HPs Phaeton eventually sold for £720,000 at the Coys auction house True Greats sale in London.

Still in complete and roadworthy condition, the car was reported to be in superb, drivable condition before its sale, which was the first time it had been auctioned in its near-109-year life.

It was bought by an extremely wealthy Eastern European car collector who, according to Coys, is a regular and very good client of theirs.

The Simplex Phaeton will now join the buyer’s large and well-established collection.

After the hammer fell on the auction, Chris Routledge, Managing Partner of Coys, said: “Classic cars have been a phenomenal investment and this appears to be continuing.

“This Mercedes, which is nearly 110 years old, could be the ultimate Christmas present that will go up in value.”

The oldest known Mercedes car, another Simplex series model delivered in 1902, is owned by the German firm and kept at its breathtaking automotive museum in Stuttgart.

By Press Association reporter