Lulu and Sir Cliff’s classics headline NEC show auction

By Lizzie Pope
News
 | 4 Oct 2019
Classic & Sports Car – Lulu and Sir Cliff’s classics headline NEC show auction

A Chevrolet Corvette Stingray bought new by Sir Cliff Richard and a Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Coupé owned by Lulu will cross the block at Silverstone Auctions’ NEC Classic Motor Show sale next month.

Sir Cliff bought the Stingray in March 1963, at the height of his fame, and held on to it until 1965 – even regularly driving it to gigs.

It goes to auction complete with a logbook signed by Sir Cliff using his real name, Harry Rodger Webb, plus photos of the singer with the car.

Classic & Sports Car – Lulu and Sir Cliff’s classics headline NEC show auction

Documentation also details the work carried out to the ’Vette, including a complete respray and the worn vinyl seats being replaced with leather items – however it still has its original Delco radio.

With 69,000 miles on the clock and a £50-60,000 estimate, it looks a well-priced slice of rock’n’roll memorabilia – not to mention a nice example of an American classic.

Classic & Sports Car – Lulu and Sir Cliff’s classics headline NEC show auction

Consigned to the same sale is a Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Coupé delivered new to Highgate in London to its first owner Marie McDonald McLaughlin Gibb – better known as Lulu.

Red with a black leather interior and an original Becker Mexico radio cassette player and sunroof, the 280SE was enjoyed by Lulu for three years, before she sold it to an Arabian businessman living in London, after which its third owner took over and cherished it for 38 years.

It was this custodian who ensured the Mercedes received only specialist care and who took it to Germany to have the Behr air conditioning fitted, following factory installations, as well as having the underside restored and bringing the steering back to its best.

In recent years the coupé has twice been repainted, has gained a fresh set of period-correct Michelin XWX tyres and has also benefited from work to the fuel system. It’s been consigned with a guide price of £65-75,000.

Classic & Sports Car – Lulu and Sir Cliff’s classics headline NEC show auction

“Here we have two fabulous cars that were both owned from new by two of our most famous British pop stars at the height of their careers,” said Harry Whale, Silverstone Auctions’ Auction Manager.

“We are honoured to be offering these cars with such an incredible history. As both Sir Cliff Richard and Lulu were taking the pop world by storm at the same time, just imagine if they end up in the same collection.”

They’ll be just two of the cars going under the hammer with Silverstone Auctions on 9-10 November at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show at the NEC Birmingham. To view the full lot list, click here.

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