5 days ago
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Eight Mercedes-Benz models, spanning seven decades, are some of the rarest machines to roll out of Stuttgart.
While the modern prosperity of cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi makes the Middle East something of a destination for luxury and success, it hasn’t always been this way.
Back in 1962, just 63 years ago, the first two Mercedes-Benz cars were imported into the UAE (United Arab Emirates). There were no highways or even paved roads back then, just lots and lots of sand.
According to a story published by UAE publisher The National News in 2011, those first two Middle-Eastern Mercedes needed modified fenders and larger tyres just to manage the harsh environment. By 1968 there was a single showroom, but with the onset of the oil boom during the 1970s, things moved far more quickly.
Emirati founder, Sheikh Zayed, was a fan of the German brand and did local sales no harm when he ordered not one but a dozen Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman limousines. Not bad for a country without roads!
Over the decades since, many new and rare Mercedes have found their way to the Middle Eastern oasis of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and a collection of cars, spanning, ironically, 63 years of Mercedes-Benz history is set to be auctioned next month in the RM Sotheby’s ‘Shift Online’ event.
The eight cars, offered by the local Mirage Collection, all represent special moments for the brand and present unique opportunities alone or as a set.
The oldest car, a 1955 300SL Gullwing coupe is perhaps one of the most recognisable and famous Mercedes-Benz models in the brand’s 139-year history. Just 1400 300SL were made, with 1100 of those delivered new to the USA.
Next in line is a car that time-aligns with the establishment of Mercedes-Benz in the UAE, a 1969 280SE Cabriolet, one of around 1400 made.
A red over brown example of the iconic 1971 280SL ‘Pagoda’ is included in the lineup, as is the homologated road-going version of the 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II race car, number 429 of just 500 made.
The most modern car in the collection is far from the least special, one of only 65 G65 AMG Final Edition V12 G-Wagens, something of a favourite of Middle Eastern clientele. The collection is expected to sell within the range of $US3.5 to $US4.2 million.
Today, Mercedes-Benz sales make up approximately 2.7 per cent of the UAE’s annual new car sales volume of around 250k cars. The best selling model is the GLC SUV.
With over 20 years of experience in digital publishing, James Ward has worked within the automotive landscape since 2007 and brings experience from the publishing, manufacturer and lifestyle side of the industry together to spearhead Drive's multi-media content direction.
