Classic open-top Mercedes that’s been rotting in garage for over 30 years sells at auction for staggering sums

A CLASSIC open-top Mercedes that has been rotting in a garage for over 30 years has sold at auction for a staggering amount.

The ‘rust bucket’ Mercedes had languished in a garage in pieces for over 30 years but attracted great interest from bidders – eventually selling for almost £40,000 when the last gavel fell.

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The 1961 190 SL is one of only 562 produced by Mercedes, but it’s now in poor shape after being stored for more than three decades.

Offered by H&H Classics as a barn find and “exciting restoration project”, this 1961 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL was purchased from the seller in 1989, so it has not been on the road for at least 33 years.

Even then it was not in top condition, as the seller and her father bought it specifically to restore it.

The father had experience with 190 SL and wanted to use it as a father-daughter joint project.

However, other projects pushed this one lower and lower, and when the duo checked it out, the engine, gearbox and rear axle were missing.

The initial estimate for the car was between £25,000 and £35,000 but it fetched more money, with the hammer dropping at £38,250.

The fact that this is such a rare unit, that it still has many of the original parts, right down to the glass for the windscreen, and that it could be worth up to £200,000 once restored, has fueled interest in it.

It is believed that there are very few right hand drive 190 SLs left today and those that do will likely be in better condition than this one.

This comes after a rare Mini, left in a shed for decades, has been sold at auction for more than £52,000.

There is also a road-legal British racing car up for auction and it is a totally unique model and is expected to fetch in excess of £300,000.

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