The recent RM Auctions (www.rmauctions.com) sale in London of “The Ultimate Mercedes-Benz Collection,” including 73 examples spanning the period from 1905-1966 and a replica of the 1886 Patentwagen, is of particular interest in establishing current values of the most collectible of Mercedes-Benz cars.
Collectible Classics – Recent auction prices offer a snapshot of market values
Article Gary Anderson and Richard Simonds
Images courtesy RM Auctions
Nearly everyone who owns an older Mercedes-Benz and knows anything at all about the marque’s heritage sooner or later thinks about what it would be like to buy and own one of the various years and models that are considered “collectible” on the classic-car market. But it’s often difficult at any point in time to find out what models might be available in the general market – and what they might cost. For those reasons, the recent RM Auctions (www.rmauctions.com) sale in London of “The Ultimate Mercedes-Benz Collection,” including 73 examples spanning the period from 1905-1966 and a replica of the 1886 Patentwagen, is of particular interest.
Not only did this group of classic automobiles constitute a virtual shopping list of every collectible type, but because every example sold on the same day to an audience representative of the global marketplace, the prices obtained provide a good indication of current relative values. We can take the examples offered and the auction prices as a starting point for the new collector to evaluate the current market for collectible Mercedes-Benz automobiles.
Background
For purposes of discussion, we have divided collectible Mercedes-Benz automobiles into three categories: Pre-merger cars (Mercedes and Benzes built before 1926), Mercedes-Benzes from the merger to the last civilian production in 1941), and postwar cars (built between the end of World War II and the first fuel crisis in the 1970s – roughly about 1973). Each of these categories has its own distinct charms and constraints, but within each group there are examples that occasionally appear on the market for less than $100,000, as well as those well on the other side of $1 million.
1909 Benz 35-60 HP Speedster
A Mercedes or Benz built before the merger has stately charm, but for speed and safety reasons, would never be driven casually on a major highway. The car would have to be trailered to any venue more than a few miles away.
1938 170V Roadster
Cars built between 1926 and 1941 are generally fast and reliable enough to be driven around town or on occasional organized tours, but for comfort and safety reasons, they wouldn’t be a first choice for highway trips.
1960 190SL Roadster
In contrast, most of the postwar cars discussed here benefit from occasionally being driven longer distances at higher speeds and are both safe and comfortable enough to do so.
Of course, it goes almost without saying that any car on one of these lists that is in presentable condition would be welcome on any classic-car show field. There are even special interest groups, such as the Gull Wing Group, 190SL Group, International Ponton Owners Group, and the Pagoda SL Group (also international) for owners of these models.
Tips on buying your first collectible
• Decide how much money you can afford for the initial purchase and reconditioning of your chosen collectible car. Be prepared to spend an amount equal to 25 percent of your purchase price for reconditioning, even on a great-looking car that seems to be in excellent condition.
• Before beginning to look at cars available in the marketplace, do your research and decide which models would suit your interests, potential uses, and budget.
• Do your homework. One of the satisfactions of owning a classic car is to be a specialist in that era and model. There is a wealth of literature and information on collectible cars. The research should be fun, and everything you can learn before you buy will pay off in helping you buy the right car.
• Buy the best condition that you can afford. You will want to look for a car in reasonable running condition, with body panels, interior trim, and upholstery in easily repairable condition, and all small parts, knobs, and accessories present.
• Take your time. Any seasoned collector will tell you that the fun of collecting is in the chase – as much or more than the acquisition – so enjoy the process. Another wise saying in the hobby is that once you’ve decided what car you want to buy, the right car will find you. Don’t ever buy a car that seems to be “the best you’re going to find” – buy the one that demands to be bought.
Cautions when buying your first collectible
• Never buy a car sight unseen. Tales are told of finding a perfect car on the Internet and purchasing it over the phone, but far more tales are told of scams or disasters, with the buyer not only out the purchase price, but often left with nothing to show for it.
• Never buy a car without the advice of a specialist in the mechanics and history of the model. It’s one thing to know what you’ll need to repair or replace before you decide to buy; it’s much worse to be surprised after the purchase.
• Remember that there is no such thing as a bargain in collectible automobiles. With the wealth of information available online, no honest seller today makes the mistake of selling a car for less than what it’s worth.
• Whenever possible, buy a car from someone you know well, at least by reputation. If you do have to purchase from someone you don’t know, check them out first – get opinions from other collectors or club members.
• Avoid buying a car without records or known provenance. Unpleasant mechanical, financial, and legal issues may be the result. The best situation is when the car’s known ownership and maintenance history is documented.
The nitty-gritty
Regardless of how much you have to spend, buying a classic car should be an effort undertaken with care. Purchased poorly, the car can easily turn out to be worth considerably less than you paid, and then even more costly to be repaired to the condition you thought it was in upon purchase, souring you entirely on the ownership of a classic car.
But researched carefully and bought well – your classic car can be a limitless source of visceral, emotional, and intellectual satisfaction, as well as your admission into a select circle of people with a shared respect for vintage and classic automobiles and a common desire to enjoy this physical connection with past eras and people that would otherwise exist only in history books.
2013 Auction Values of Prewar Mercedes-Benz Classics
1886 Benz Patentwagen $39,200
1905 Mercedes-Simplex 60HP Speedster $110,000
1909 Benz 35/60 JP Speedster $95,200
1921 8/20 HP Doctor's Cabriolet $53,200
1925 15/70/100 HP Tourer $230,000
1930 Nurburg 460K Limousine $85,120
1931 15/74 HP Mannheim 370K Cabriolet $162,400
1932 8/38 HP Stuttgart 200 Cabriolet $48,160
1932 Nurburg 500 Pullman Limousine $131,600
1932 15/75 HP Mannheim 380S Sport Roadster $770,000
1933 170 Cabriolet C $50,400
1933 200 Lang Cabriolet B $78,400
1933 170 Sport Roadster $86,800
1933 380K Sport Roadster $540,800
1934 290 Cabriolet D $84,000
1934 200 Sport Roadster $86,800
1934 290 Cabriolet A $277,200
1934 380K Cabriolet C $448,000
1935 170 saloon $39,200
1935 130H Sedan $47,600 
1936 170H Cabriolet $33,600
1936 130H Cabriolet saloon $43,680
1936 170H saloon $50,400
1936 170V Cabriolet A $58,240
1936 290 Cabriolet B $114,800
1936 500K Cabriolet C $650,000
1937 230N Roadster $82,880
1937 290 Cabriolet A $257,600
1938 320 Limousine $49,280
1938 230N Cabriolet C $75,600
1938 170V Roadster $81,760
1938 320 Cabriolet B $87,360
1938 320 Cabriolet B $98,000
1938 320 Cabriolet D $117,600
1938 540K Cabriolet B $820,000
1938 540K Special Cabriolet A $1,400,000
1939 170V Cabriolet saloon $31,360
1939 230 Saloon $38,080
1939 170V Cabriolet B $53,200
1939 320 Pullman Limousine $92,400
1939 320 Cabriolet A $263,200
1941 230 Limousine A $54,880 
1941 230 Cabriolet A $92,400
1942 320 Cabriolet F $98,000
2013 Auction Values of Postwar Mercedes-Benz Classics
1951 170DA Open Touring Police $29,120
1951 170S Cabriolet A $75,600
1951 170S Coupe $145,000
1951 220 Coupe Prototype $230,000
1952 170Va saloon $15,680
1952 170Va Station Wagon (panel van) $40,320
1952 200 Cabriolet B $47,600
1952 170Da Pickup $49,280
1952 220 Cabriolet A $68,320
1953 170DS saloon $23,250
1953 300S Cabriolet A $280,000
1954 170S-V Ambulance $50,400
1954 300 Adenauer Cabriolet $105,280
1954 300S Coupe $218,400
1954 300S Roadster $330,400
1956 300SL Gullwing $593,600
1957 220S Cabriolet $48,160
1957 300SLS Racing $593,600
1958 300d Adenauer saloon $70,560
1960 2230SE Coupe $44,800
1961 300SL Roadster $716,800
1963 230SL Roadster $34,720
1963 300SE Cabriolet $59,360
1966 600SWB saloon $47,040
1970 300SEL 6.3 saloon $38,080