"Bonhams Auktion" - 6.12.2010

Press Release:

A Mercedes-Benz 600, once owned by the 'King of Rock and Roll', Elvis Presley, and a 2000 Ferrari 550 GTZ will feature at Bonhams' traditional end of year sale of Important Motor Cars and Fine Automobilia on 6 December, which this year takes place at an outstanding new venue – Mercedes-Benz World in Surrey.

Mercedes-Benz World Surrey

Restored to a very high standard, and one of only a handful of cars that Presley registered in his name, the Mercedes-Benz has attracted a pre-sale estimate of £150,000 – 200,000. Presley kept the car, which was one of two 600 Mercedes he owned, for two years before giving it to a friend, James Leroy Robertson. It was purchased by the vendor in 2005 from Robertson Motors Memphis, and exported to the UK.

The Ferrari 550 GTZ is one of only five examples of the car bodied by the famous Italian carrozeria Zagato and the only Right Hand Drive example.

Die Highlights der Auktion: Ferrari 550 GTZ und Elvis´ Mercedes 600

Bonhams is delighted to introduce Mercedes-Benz World as the new venue for this year's auction. The Bonhams December sale is traditionally the largest, by value and volume, of the season and offers a wide variety of motor cars spanning all periods, types and marques. Mercedes-Benz World, situated within the banking of Britain's first ever purpose built racing circuit, the famous Brooklands Motor Course, near Weybridge, provides an exciting and fitting location for the sale to take place.

As well as its remarkable setting, the avant-garde venue is excellently equipped, featuring two refreshment areas – Cafe 1886 and the Gullwing restaurant, and the prestigious new Brooklands Hotel just next door.

Getting there, and away, is easy – there is a convenient shuttle service linking Mercedes-Benz World and Weybridge railway station, and of course perfect connections to London, the M25 and Heathrow and Gatwick Airports.

James Knight, Group Head of Bonhams Motoring department, comments on the venue: "Having attended a couple of functions at Mercedes-Benz World, I had cast an envious eye over the building. If I were to design a purpose-built motor car auction facility, it would not be far off what the venue provides - it really has everything. I am really excited about this venue - it ticks every box for us, our sellers and buyers – and that's why I'm looking forward to showing you around."

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son and Neale UK. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street, and Knightsbridge, and a further five throughout the UK. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Carmel, New York and Boston in the USA; Toronto, Canada; and France, Monaco, Hong Kong, Australia and Dubai. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 57 specialist areas. By the end of 2009, Bonhams had become UK market leaders in ten key specialist collecting areas.For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments.