I gave this car and the baroness some thought today, after posting this article. She made the conscious effort to save herself and this bit of ostenaciousness while millions died in horror. I dunno. Very Ayn Randish.
Posted on 08/17/2012 7:51:54 AM PDT by Daffynition
According to the T Magazine article, the 540K was purchased new by the family of the Prussian Baroness Gisela Josephine von Krieger. It accompanied the baroness when she lived in London and France, and it stayed with her when she fled the Nazis to Monaco and Switzerland.
The car also followed the baroness across the Atlantic on the Queen Mary after she moved to New York following World War II. It did not, however make it back to Europe when she returned to Switzerland in 1959.
In 1992, the Mercedes was discovered stored away in a Connecticut warehouse. It was in remarkable condition with all of the original body panels intact, but it has since been fully restored.
To break the record for a car sold at auction, Gooding will have to outdo himself: Last year, his company sold a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa for a chart-topping $16,390,000 at Pebble Beach.
Even so, Gooding's prediction may not be that far-fetched. A similar 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster broke into the top 10 most expensive cars sold at auction last year. That car went for $9,680,000 at RM Auctions' Monterey event—but that nearly eight-figure purchase price didn't buy the enchanting history that accompanies Baroness von Krieger's Benz.
(Excerpt) Read more at autoweek.com ...
I gave this car and the baroness some thought today, after posting this article. She made the conscious effort to save herself and this bit of ostenaciousness while millions died in horror. I dunno. Very Ayn Randish.
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends....
Well, they won’t be found in my storage either. I’m at the tail-end of clearing away my parent’s and grandparent’s stuff. While my gentleman friend and I enjoy plowing our way through the “Lovejoy” series, I think lifting the lid on another box of “treasures” would just about do me in. Afraid there were no dusty Daimlers in the garage; just an ‘88 Dodge Caravan that went to charity.
My sympathies. Been there, done that.
In the end it’s just stuff and it can weigh you down...it begins to own you. I went through my stuff and down-sized. If it was not beautiful or useful....it went. Three sets [for 12] of family sterling silver ...beaucoup china and enough linens to stock an embassy. All gone to people who would like them more than me...coz I don’t entertain in any grand scale like I used to. :)
Way to go, Daffy!
A cool $11,770,000.
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