Remember that time you lost your car keys so you left it in the garage and never drove it again? Fast forward 21 years, and it’s worth £55,000 with just 80 miles on the clock.
Well, that’s exactly what was stored in a central London garage in no other than the desirable neighbourhood of Knightsbridge. The only owner received the brand new Mercedes-Benz SL500 R129 as a birthday present in 1996 from Normand of Mayfair.
The car has now been found by international auctioneers, Coys, who have estimated that it could sell for £55,000 at their Spring Classics auction on Wednesday 12th April, with a new set of car keys.
This 90s classic was a popular roadster from 1989 to 2002, and will be remembered for its game-changing features for the time, such as electronically controlled damping and a hidden, automatically extending roll-over car, electric windows and mirrors.
Although it doesn’t come with Bluetooth connectivity it does have a 6 CD multi-changer, upgraded radio, heated front seats and wood-leather steering wheel.
CEO of Coys, Chris Routledge said: “This is a car with a fantastic story! Purchased as a birthday present and driven only 80 miles before the owner lost the keys and never drove it again. It even comes with a letter written by the owner’s butler verifying its mileage and its provenance.”
He added: “Had she not lost the keys and used it regularly, we estimate it would now be worth between £5,000 and £7,000, but the fact that it has kept such a low mileage and has not been driven in more than twenty years makes it worth between £45,000 and £55,000. What happened with the keys remains a mystery but the car comes with new keys for the new owner. Perhaps you shouldn’t panic the next time you misplace your car keys…!”
Some might say it would’ve been an easier option to have the keys replaced, but then again, the classic car has turned out to be quite an investment!
