Photo: Bonhams
Bonhams sold a 1973 Mercedes-Benz 350 SL Roadster this weekend for 49,450 euros.
The vehicle in question was formerly owned by Nicolae Ceausescu, a Romanian dictator who was overthrown in 1989. Apart from the car’s unique history, the 350 SL is also fully documented, unrestored, and is described as “remarkably original,” by the team at Bonhams.
It was only driven for 17,500 kilometers (10,873 miles) and has not been used since 2007. Only a third of the miles on the odometer were driven by the ruthless dictator, as the vehicle has been owned by a private person since 1999. Back then, it was auctioned by the Romanian government and had a mileage of only 4,038 kilometers (2,509 miles).
Even though it has not been driven on the road since 2007, the vehicle is ready to drive, as it has received a thorough service, done by a classic Mercedes-Benz specialist.
Curiously, the car still has original tires from 1973 (we would change those before driving) and comes with full documentation certifying its origins.
It even has two radio systems. The one in the center console is a Becker Mexico, while the one in the glovebox is a Becker short-wave radio system, used by the Romanian secret police of the time.
The proceedings from this sale will be donated to the “Crosscause” charity from Ireland, founded in 2003. It works with volunteers that support and educate special-needs orphans. Initially, it took care of 60 children in Romania, but it eventually expanded further into Eastern Europe and West Africa.
If you are wondering why a classic Mercedes-Benz that was formerly owned by an absolute ruler sold for just 49,450 euros, we will gladly explain. First of all, the car was not the top-of-the-line in the SL range of the time, so the vehicle was only valued at 30,000 to 50,000 euros by auction specialists. Secondly, the dictator who originally owned it was not that famous to begin with, and only eccentrics are interested in cars that used to be driven by such individuals.
It was only driven for 17,500 kilometers (10,873 miles) and has not been used since 2007. Only a third of the miles on the odometer were driven by the ruthless dictator, as the vehicle has been owned by a private person since 1999. Back then, it was auctioned by the Romanian government and had a mileage of only 4,038 kilometers (2,509 miles).
Even though it has not been driven on the road since 2007, the vehicle is ready to drive, as it has received a thorough service, done by a classic Mercedes-Benz specialist.
Curiously, the car still has original tires from 1973 (we would change those before driving) and comes with full documentation certifying its origins.
It even has two radio systems. The one in the center console is a Becker Mexico, while the one in the glovebox is a Becker short-wave radio system, used by the Romanian secret police of the time.
The proceedings from this sale will be donated to the “Crosscause” charity from Ireland, founded in 2003. It works with volunteers that support and educate special-needs orphans. Initially, it took care of 60 children in Romania, but it eventually expanded further into Eastern Europe and West Africa.
If you are wondering why a classic Mercedes-Benz that was formerly owned by an absolute ruler sold for just 49,450 euros, we will gladly explain. First of all, the car was not the top-of-the-line in the SL range of the time, so the vehicle was only valued at 30,000 to 50,000 euros by auction specialists. Secondly, the dictator who originally owned it was not that famous to begin with, and only eccentrics are interested in cars that used to be driven by such individuals.
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