Rare Mercedes, Royal car up for auction in NZ
The 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM AMG Cabriolet estimate is $650,000 - $850,000. Photos: Webb’s
Webb’s has a rare Mercedes-Benz and a Rolls-Royce fit for a queen (literally) in its August Collectors’ Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia auction in Auckland.
The 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM AMG Cabriolet has an estimate of between $650,000 - $850,000 and is one of only 80 cabriolets built between 2004 and 2006 by the renowned racing department HWA AG.
The CLK DTM AMG Cabriolet stands among the most exclusive and coveted modern Mercedes-Benz models, surpassing even the SLR McLaren and SLS AMG Black Series in rarity, says Webb’s.
The 1952 Bentley Mk VI Drop Head Coupé estimate is between $160,000 - $200,000.
It was built to commemorate Mercedes-Benz’s win at the 2003 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) racing series, the CLK DTM was the pinnacle of AMG’s track-focused lineup, exceeding the later CLK63 AMG Black Series in performance enhancements.
The CLK is a left-hand drive example and is believed to have been delivered new in Germany in 2006, records indicate it was imported to New Zealand in 2011 at 5,843kms.
In 2024, the odometer reads a minuscule 8,674kms as it hasn’t been road registered since 2012, but has been dry stored, connected to a trickle charger and serviced by local marque experts.
The CLK is one of 47 items for sale in the auction that will take place Sunday 11 August, 2024, 2.30pm at Webb’s auction house in Mt Eden.
The Rolls-Royce was used in Queen Elizabeth II’s 1963 and 1970 tours of New Zealand.
Other newsworthy cars at the auction include a 1952 Bentley Mk VI Drop Head Coupé (estimate: $160,000 - $200,000). Manufactured from 1946 to 1952, the Mark VI was the first post-war luxury car produced by Bentley.
It has a 4.6-litre straight six engine and in its day, it was not only the most expensive production car in the world but also the fastest 5-seater, capable of exceeding 100 mph.
This example features a fully restored aluminium body, an overhauled engine, a new electric hood and lining, and all-new trim.
Another British beauty listed in the auction includes a 1963 Rolls Royce Phantom V (estimate: $175,000 - $200,000) with Royal Family lineage.
The 1985 Porsche 911 3.2 Cabriolet has an estimate of $80,000 - $95,000.
Rolls-Royce built and outfitted it as a royal car before being imported into New Zealand and used in Queen Elizabeth II’s 1963 and 1970 tours of New Zealand. It was maintained most of its running life by Wally Presard on behalf of the Department of Internal Affairs.
The vendor’s family has owned this regal Phantom for 40 years. It was used throughout the ‘80s as a wedding car before being put into storage in the early ‘90s, where it remained for 30 years. In the last three years, it has been used as a wedding car again.
My favourite is the 1985 Porsche 911 3.2 Cabriolet (estimate: $80,000 - $95,000).
This specific 3.2 Carrera, sold new in the United Kingdom, is one of 3,529 made for the 1985 model year.
It is equipped with a powerful 3.2-litre flat-six engine and Type 915 gearbox.
