Mercedes-Benz, 1905 under the hammer

Posted on 24-11-2013 at 15:56 by maru – 11 Comments”

The 1905 Simplex 28/32 HPs Phaeton, is one of the oldest remaining Benzen in the world and looks like new. You would say that this beauty is often its appearance during luxury auctions, but nothing is less true.

In the small 110 year in which the Simplex on this our globe earth is moving, is this the first time that he is the inside of an auction house looks. Still complete and able to drive he was for many years the flagship in the Mercedes-Benz collection of Arturo Keller in Napa, California.

Most cars from the early period of the automobile were glorified tricycles, what the Simplex to a technological masterpiece made. Big, beautiful and powerful were the ingredients to the American market to enter and compete against the other European manufacturers. Comfort was achieved through simplicity, where the car name “Simplex” to thank.

However, the German emperor found the motor not as easy, as he is the Mercedes engineers at the IAA in Frankfurt at the time, let us know. The huge 5.5 litre four-cylinder engine produced 35 hp was as low as possible, mounted for better balance and control. Aerodynamics they only had never heard of it, so the cover over the back seat will ride in a strong wind very difficult. Fortunately the car is not fast, fly away with his heavy body.

The target price for the Simplex is not given, but we expect that it will be no small feat. Other highlights at the auction, the 1951 Cooper 500 MK V Ken Wharton, the only driver with four consecutive titles in the British Hill Climb Championship (£35.000 – £50.000, photo below), the 71st Jaguar E-Type from 1961 (£90.000 – £110.000), a 1929 Bentley Supercharged 4.5 litre (£580.000 – £700.000), and the only Victor High Wheel Electric Runabout ever built (£38.000 – £55.000). The large offer start 3 december at Coys in London during the aptly-named “True Greats sale”.