World’s ‘first’ supercar is up for grabs TOMORROW – Mercedes that can hit speeds of 130mph set to sell for £1.2m
THE world’s first supercar is expected to sell for a whopping £1.2million in Belgium.
The silver 1961 300 SL Roadster Mercedes can reach speeds of up to 140mph and comes with some amazing features.
A spokesman for the auctioneer said: “The Roadster was an immediate hit with the jet set of royalty, actors and socialites.
“It was arguably the world’s first supercar. The 300 SL remains a thoroughly practical automobile, as civilised in city driving as it is exhilarating on the highway.”
Only 1,858 models were ever made, with the majority of them sold in the United States.
This model is left-hand drive, making it even more unique.
The stunning model looks like it comes straight out of a James Bond movie, with a classic silver finish and convertible top.
The frame was restored in the early 1990s in Germany, and the alloy engine was fitted officially by Mercedes-Benz.
The roadster can accelerate from zero to 60mph in less than eight seconds, an outstanding figure for the year it was created.
Road & Track Magazine said of the vehicle on it’s release: “”There is no doubt that the 300 SL roadster is a truly great dual-purpose sports car, equally at home in traffic and the open road, or on the track.”
Seller Gregory Tuytens said of the car: “Following a 1,200-hour restoration in the early 1990s, this 300 SL Roadster is now presented in striking classic Mercedes-Benz silver metallic livery with dark red leather interior.”
In December, a rare classic Mercedes that was only one of eight ever made headed to auction.
The 1982 Mercedes 500 SL AMG 5.0 fetched six figures at auction -and it’s the first of it’s run to be built and delivered.
You needed deep pockets back in 1982 if you wanted one of these cars, as they were hugely customisable.