A rare example of the 1980 Mercedes 450 SLC is for sale. His particuliarity ? It passed through the hands of not one but two legends in the history of sport…
It’s a car the story, to say the least, singular than the auction house Bonhams will put up for sale. At the sight of slideshow aboveIt’s about a Mercedes 450 SLC dating back to 1980. The line in question was launched in 1971/72 in the form of a coupé and a convertible, the SL.
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A fantastic story
In other circumstances, this sale would probably have gone unnoticed by the general public. Except that this Mercedes can boast of a visit card to make the most discerning of collectors pale…
The owner of this gleaming coupeable to titillate 215 km/h at the time, was none other than a certain… Diego Armando Maradona !
The one who was to become soccer legend, and sports in generalindeed received this copy in 1980at the time when he played in the championship of Argentine First Division under the colors of Boca Juniors. But that’s not all…
The beautiful German was given to him by neither more nor less than Juan Manuel Fangio ! The five-time F1 world champion was indeed the only official Mercedes dealer in Argentina and personally handed over the keys to the 450 SLCs to his young compatriot, very happy to barter his first Fiat 128 for a vehicle that lives up to its status as rising star.
Read also :
Diego Maradona: the day Ferrari refused him a black F40!
Diego Maradona: the cars that marked his life (in pictures)
Ferrari: what novelties does the “Prancing Horse” have in store for us for 2023?
A word about the Mercedes 450 SLC
Built in European definition then exported to Argentina, this C107 450 SLC is part of 1,636 units equipped with a more powerful 5.0 liter 240 hp engine. Covered with an aluminum body, in particular the hood and the trunk lid, it presents a front spoiler and a specific rear spoiler.
red with black leather interiorthe car is equipped with a Automatic box, fog lights, electric windows, air conditioning and a steel electric sunroof. although she has traveled about 61,445 km since its release, it presents a state of impeccable conservation.
History to guarantee its pedigree, the Mercedes is sold with its original title deed which mentions the Maradona’s name as well as its date of purchase, and with a document from the Argentine administration quoting its successive owners, including Maradona as the first of them.
At the time of writing these lines, this Mercedes ex-Diego Maradona is estimated between 150,000 and 250,000 euros. The sale will take place in Paris on February 2, 2023, the day before the event “The big brands of the world in Paris” organized by the house Bonhams.
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