Ever wished you could walk out of a car museum with a mint condition example of your favourite model? For Mercedes-Benz fans, that dream has taken a step closer to reality with the introduction of a classic car sales department at the firm's Stuttgart museum, where customers will now be able to buy collector quality cars that have been fully checked by the museum's staff.
Cars will be divided into three categories, beginning with 'Premium Edition', used to describe the best, lowest milage examples; 'Collectors Edition', for those that ought to be cosseted in private collections, and 'Drivers Edition', those that you wouldn't be afraid to give a good run on the autobahn.
A number of cars have already been sold via the enterprise's website – www.alltime-stars.com – including an E60 AMG, W14 E500, W116 350SEL, R129 SL55 AMG and an S124 280TE, while six W124s and a handful of other classics are promised as 'coming soon'.
Prospective buyers have the choice of five classics currently on offer by the firm, lead by a 1998 AMG-Mercedes CLK-LM that was used for in pre-qualifying for that year's 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Fortunately for collectors, the car falls into the 'Premium Edition' category – though we would be sorely tempted to add to its 14,140km on the open road. No price is listed, but we doubt it will be cheap.
Those who enjoy a more sedate pace to their motoring excursions could be more tempted by a 1929 630 Kompressor, which was recently rebuilt as an open Tourer by Rod Jolley. The car's engine was rebuilt at the same time, and FIVA papers will make it an attractive proposition for collectors – even at €850,000.
A 1979 450 SEL 6.9 offers a more luxurious alternative, and a lower classification – 'Collectors Edition' – means its new owner will feel more at ease driving their new car. It's covered 112,300km, but has also undergone an extensive restoration. The price? €70,000.
