2017 RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba (Mercedes Benz Torpedo Sport Announcement)

A 1928 Mercedes-Benz 680 S Torpedo-Sport Avant-Garde is the star car on offer at the RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba 2017 classic car auction.

1928 Mercedes-Benz 680 S Torpedo-Sport Avant-Garde
1928 Mercedes-Benz 680 S Torpedo-Sport Avant-Garde – Daniel Olivares ©2017 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

The headline car at the RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba 2017 classic car auction is a 1928 Mercedes-Benz 680 S Torpedo-Sport Avant-Garde with coachwork by Saoutchik. It is the sole survivor of just three ever built and is expected to achieve €6,500,000 to €8,000,000. This Mercedes Benz was awarded 100 points and the Best of Show trophy at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba Sale 2017

RM Sotheby’s traditionally holds it very exclusive Villa Erba classic car auction every odd year as part of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on the shores of Lake Como in northern Italy at the end of May.

In 2017, the classic car auction will be held on May 27. As in previous years, only around 40 cars will be offered but this year will be joined by around 20 motorcycles from a top private collection.

In 2015, the top result set a new model record when a 1952 Ferrari 212 Export Barchetta sold for €6,720,000 ($7,400,736). In 2013, the auction record was set when a 1953 Ferrari 340/375 MM Berlinetta ‘Competizione’ by Pinin Farina sold for a record €9,856,000 (US $ 12,812,800).

1928 Mercedes-Benz 680 S Torpedo-Sport Avant-Garde

1928 Mercedes-Benz 680 S Torpedo-Sport Avant-Garde side profile
Daniel Olivares ©2017 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

The 1928 Mercedes-Benz 680 S Torpedo-Sport Avant-Garde with coachwork by Saoutchik, chassis 35949, estimate €6,500,000 to €8,000,000, is the undisputed star attraction of RM Sotheby’s upcoming Villa Erba 2017 sale.

1928 Mercedes-Benz 680 S Torpedo-Sport Avant-Garde front
Daniel Olivares ©2017 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

One of Saoutchik’s most incredible designs, the car is the sole survivor of just three examples constructed with a short-windshield design, and represents the perfect combination of German engineering and French Avant-Garde styling. From a visual perspective, it is simply breathtaking; devoid of any running boards, it combines swooping front fenders with highly polished German Silver trim, a low windshield, and a disappearing convertible top. Inside, reptile-skin seats and intricate wood accents, including a large wood-rimmed steering wheel, give a heightened sense of luxury.

Shown at the 1929 New York Auto Salon, 35949 was purchased new by Frederick Henry Bedford Jr., the director of Standard Oil, and went on to remain in his family’s loving ownership for over seven and a half decades.

1928 Mercedes-Benz 680 S Torpedo-Sport Avant-Garde pebble beach
Kimball Studios © courtesy RM Sotheby’s

In 2008, the stunning Mercedes-Benz made its way into the collection of Paul and Chris Andrews, who commissioned esteemed restoration firm, Paul Russell & Company, to complete a meticulous, body-off restoration—the supreme quality of which saw it awarded 100 points at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and claim the event’s coveted Best of Show trophy.

Following its triumph at Pebble Beach, 35949 went on to earn numerous other accolades around the globe, including ‘Restoration of the Year’ at the 2012 International Historic Motoring Awards, First in Class at the 2013 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, and the Mercedes-Benz Star of Excellence at the 2014 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.

The 1928 Mercedes-Benz 680 S Torpedo-Sport Avant-Garde interior
Daniel Olivares ©2017 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

Presented in spectacular condition and no stranger to the spotlight, it comes to Villa Erba offered from one of America’s foremost collections. The show appearances confirm the incredibly good condition of the Mercedes Benz but of course also limit the new owner’s opportunity to display the car at these elite events.

“It’s a distinct honor to present this very special Mercedes-Benz at our Lake Como sale,” comments Shelby Myers, Car Specialist, RM Sotheby’s. “A true show-stopper, not only is it one of the most stunning automobiles to ever wear the Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star, but also one of the most memorable concours starlets of the 21st century, making it a perfect fit to the Concorso d’Eleganza weekend. It’s also a terrific candidate for long-distance touring. If you’re in the market for a car that offers a sensational blend of style and performance, it doesn’t get much better than this!”

Other RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba 2017 Sale Highlights

1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS 'Goutte d’Eau' Coupé by Figoni et Falaschi
Fotohalle Unger ©2017 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

Other highlights previously announced for the RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba 2017 sale include two quite distinct trios:

  • thee magnificent 1930s classics (a 1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS ‘Goute d’Eau’, a 1930 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS Spider 4th Series and a 1937 Bugatti Type 57 Atalante Prototype) and
  • three modern hypercars (a 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari, a 2015 Porsche 918 Weissach Spyder and a 2016 McLaren P1 GTR).