A RARE classic car which was hidden from the Nazis and later smuggled out of the Soviet Union has sold for more than £5million.
The 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster was stashed away by its owner at the outbreak of World War Two.
5
The 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster was stashed away at the start of World War TwoCredit: RMSothebys/BNPS
It was found in Soviet-controlled East Berlin in 1949 and eventually made its way to Russia.
The Mercedes was purchased in 1964 by a translator living in Moscow, who smuggled it out three years later by driving it over the border into Sweden.
The car was then sold to a US collector in California.
5
It was found in Soviet-controlled East Berlin in 1949 and eventually made its way to RussiaCredit: RMSothebys/BNPS
5
The car was then sold to a US collector in CaliforniaThe Mercedes, which boasts a 5.4litre engine, has now sold for $6.6million (£5.3million) at an auction in Arizona, US.
A spokesman for auctioneers RM Sotheby’s said: “The 540 K Special Roadster is regarded by many as the high point of the classic era among German automobiles.
“It reflected the restless pursuit of perfection by Mercedes-Benz’s engineers, technicians, craftsmen, and coachbuilders.
5
The Mercedes, which boasts a 5.4litre engine, has now sold for $6.6million (£5.3million) at an auction in ArizonaCredit: RMSothebys/BNPS
5
eBay blocked the auction of a 1941 model as the reportedly once belonged to Nazi Hermann Goering
“It is among the most instantly recognisable, valuable, and desirable of all automobiles built during the classic era, and acquiring one is an instant mark of discerning taste and prestige for any collector.
“It has a wonderful story and is an excellent restoration.
“We are delighted with the price it achieved.”
News
HMS Medusa (A353): The Ship That Marked the Way to Omaha Beach in June 1944
Photo Credit: Geoff Moore / The Travel Trunk The HMS Medusa (A353) – formerly known as the Harbour Motor Defence Launch (HMDL) 1387 – was near Omaha Beach on June 5, 1944, the night before D-Day. Without the pinpoint accuracy of this tiny British…
James R Ward: The USS Oklahoma Crewman Who Remained Behind at Pearl Harbor and Made the Ultimate Sacrifice
Photo Credit: 1. USN / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain 2. Naval History and Heritage Command / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain (Colorized & Enhanced by DeepAI) The attack on Pearl Harbor was the event that spurred the United States…
On Christmas Eve 1944, American and German Soldiers Came Together for a Temporary Truce In the Hürtgen Forest
Photo Credit: History Archive / Universal Images Group / Getty Images When you ask someone about a wartime Christmas truce, they’re more likely to bring up the one that occurred along the Western Front in 1914. What many might not realize is…
Hikers Made An Incredibly Rare Discovery In a Northern British Field – A Canadian Ram Tank!
Photo Credit: United Kingdom Government / Tank Museum Guide. Part III 1940-1946 / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain In the decades following the Second World War, several discoveries dating back to the conflict have been made. Among them are a…
Francis P Hammerberg Was Awarded the Medal Of Honor After Performing An 18-Hour Rescue Mission At Pearl Harbor
Photo Credit: 1. HUM Images / Universal Images Group / Getty Images 2. U.S. Navy / U.S. Department of Defense (Colorized & Enhanced by DeepAI) Throughout the Second World War, numerous individuals distinguished themselves through actions of great heroism. Some…
The ‘Saving Private Ryan’ Detail Most Viewers Missed – It Changes Our View of the Film
Photo Credit: andrewz / Dreamworks Pictures / Paramount Pictures / MovieStillsDB Saving Private Ryan (1998) is arguably one of the best war movies ever released, thanks to director Steven Spielberg’s expert eye and attention to detail. The film, starring Tom Hanks…
End of content
No more pages to load