A 1983 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC – formerly owned by Prince Rainier of Monaco – has astonished auction goers by selling for €117,600 at Artcurial’s 26 July sale.
The V8 embodiment of 1980s excess was bought new by the Prince, and a Royal foray into the options list meant it came complete with a factory-fit spoiler, side skirts, special-option steering wheel, and was painted in the Prince’s favourite shade of blue.
A Ford Model A Roadster almost pulled off the same trick as the big Mercedes at the sale of the excess from His Serene Highness Prince Albert’s collection, injecting €62,000 – more than three times its estimate – into the Royal piggy bank.
A 1913 Panhard Levassor X19 Roadster (estimate €35,000) and a 1907 Berliet C2 Double-Phaeton (guide €30,000) also bettered expectations, selling for €81,300 and €70,000 respectively.
As if to demonstrate the power of His Serene Highness’ Royal touch, even motoring oddities such as a 1987 Fleur De Lys mock-up vintage bus (€40,000) and a Siata Spring Roadster (€25,500) went well over their forecast limits.
