Two low-mileage autobahn legends are headed to auction later this month in the U.K., and we just can’t look away. Built by two longtime rivals, these sedans hail from different decades but their production runs easily overlapped. And both of them can be called “time-warp” cars that Silverstone Auctions will offer as part of their Classic Sale on July 27 and 28.
Contestant number one is a 1973 Mercedes-Benz 350SE of the W116 generation. Finished in Byzantine Gold Metallic, this right-hand drive sedan shows just 32,382 miles and reportedly covered just 2,234 miles between 1990 and 2014. Powered by a 3.5-liter V8, this sedan was originally sold to Gloucester by Central Motors Gloucester and has passed through just four owners, including the consignor. Silverstone reports that the Mercedes has been kept in a private collection since 2012.
“Supplied with the car is the original bookpack including the service book, and the original build card from Mercedes,” Silverstone Auctions adds. “Prior to the sale, this vehicle will have an oil and filter service with fresh fluids and be MOT’d, road tested and inspected.”
The auction house estimates this Mercedes to bring between 18,000 and 22,000 pounds on auction day, which translates to a range between $22,770 and $27,800. Since this is a RHD car it’s a solid bet that it will be staying in the U.K., but you never know — the appetite for Benzes of the ’70s is a global one, no matter what side of the car the steering wheel is on. Collectors from Australia and Japan often look to auctions in the U.K., for obvious reasons.
Contestant number two is a 1985 BMW 735i SE automatic, and it’s also a car that was delivered new to the U.K. This generation of the BMW 7-Series debuted in 1977, so by the time this E23 sedan rolled off the assembly line its replacement, the E32 generation of the 7-Series, was getting ready to debut.
Silverstone’s first record of this Reseda Green sedan dates back to 1995, when it was sold by a BMW Dealer called Wolverhampton Motor Services. Optioned with air conditioning, window blinds and cruise control, by 2014 this sedan was only showing 16,434 miles. In that year it received a cylinder head rebuild and new gaskets by Autobahn of Halesowen. Two years later it entered a private collection, reportedly showing just 17,950 at that point. Silverstone notes that this sedan comes with a BMW Car Club Concours “Masterclass” judging sheet, stating that this sedan received 766 out of 890 points and was even docked some points for its low mileage, of all things.
“B155 SHA was originally purchased in 1985 from these very premises previously trading as Wolverhampton Motor Services,” a display card thought to be from 2016 states. “Purchased as an executive directors car, it has remained in the ownership of a local family until recently when the current owner was no longer able to drive. It has covered just 17,800 miles from new and is totally original inside and out even down to the TRX tyres. It is completely rust free and has never had any paint or body work carried out during its 31 years.”
This sedan now shows about 18,000 miles and will be offered with a stamped service book, a collection of MOTs, invoices and the original sales brochures.
Silverstone estimates this BMW to bring between 25,000 and 35,000 pounds on auction day, which translates to a range between $31,600 and $44,290. That’s a very ambitious range for an E23, but the number of E23s in the world with this kind of mileage is not great.
Visit the auction website to view the full list of lots and a detailed auction schedule.
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