F1 impresario Bernie Eccleston to auction car collection

RM Auctions in association with Sotheby’s announces the inaugural “Automobiles of London” event with a sale of important motor cars from the Bernie Ecclestone Collection to be held at Battersea Park, October 31, 2007, London, England.

International car collectors will have a rare opportunity to purchase vehicles from the esteemed Bernie Ecclestone collection when North American based RM Auctions, in association with Sotheby’s, hosts its inaugural Automobiles of London sale on Wednesday, October 31, 2007 at Battersea Park, London, England. Ecclestone is President and CEO of the Formula One Group of companies that oversees the administration and organization of Formula One racing activities worldwide.

To be held at the new state-of-the-art Battersea Evolution venue in central London, the October auction will put a spotlight on an exceptional line-up of exquisite vintage and modern day automobiles. RM’s founder and owner Rob Myers: ‘RM Auctions is exceptionally proud to have been charged by the owners with the sale of their important collections.’ The list of entries, which includes some 50 cars from Mr. Ecclestone, and a selection of important automotive memorabilia is second to none.

‘Nothing could jump start collectors’ enthusiasm for this inaugural sale more than the announcement of the Bernie Ecclestone Collection’ said Myers. ‘The mogul of Formula One and prominent UK businessman only recently decided to sell a large portion of his private collection, and we are honored that he selected RM Auctions as the preferred auction house.’

The sale will showcase a first-class selection of automobiles from Ecclestone’s collection, spanning from important 1930s European classics through to the ultimate cars of the 1950s and 1960s. Whilst the offering presents an assortment of makes, models and eras, Mercedes-Benz is clearly the strong suit of the collection with several significant examples. The estimated value of the total collection for sale is approximately £15 million GBP.

For serious car collectors, the stand-out of the London Auction will be the sale of an impressive 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster. Featuring an awe-inspiring blend of size, performance, grandeur and style, the Roadster is considered one of the most significant Mercedes Benz of all time and the pinnacle of classic cars. Carefully preserved and in pristine condition, this car is expected to most certainly break all records as being the most expensive Mercedes-Benz ever to be sold at a public auction (Est. £2.75 - £3.25 million).

Also on offer at RM’s London sale will be a trio of sleek, race-inspired SS Mercedes-Benz road and competition cars. The precision-engineered and designed 1928 Mercedes-Benz SSK, 1930 Mercedes-Benz SS, and 1931 Mercedes-Benz SSKL have all been held in the Ecclestone Collection for a number of years, and are currently the only cars of the SS series, worldwide, to be offered for sale.

Other notable automobiles consigned for the event include an impressive 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II, bodied by Gurney Nutting; a 1954 Ferrari 250 Europa GT Mk11, which remains in impeccable show-winning condition; and perhaps two of the most original Volkswagen Beetles in existence dating back to 1971 and 1978.

RM’s inaugural London Auction illustrates the company’s continued successful expansion into the European market, and follows on the heels of its recent record-breaking £22 million sale in Maranello, Italy earlier this year. The sale also represents the Canadian company’s ongoing association with esteemed international auction house, Sotheby’s.

‘With over 25 years of experience in the industry, a proven track record of success, the most enviable clientele list, and support from both Sotheby’s and Mr. Ecclestone – our London 2007 sale will surely attract international acclaim and garner the attention of the entire classic car world,’ Rob Myers added.

Admission to RM’s London auction is by catalogue only, which admits both the catalogue holder and a guest. The full-color collectable catalogue is available for £50 GBP / $100 US (plus shipping), from either RM Auctions (visit rmauctions.com or call +1-519-352-4575) or London at +44 (0) 44 207 293 6336.

Interested bidders are invited to preview the selection of auction items on either Tuesday 30 0ctober between 11am and 6pm, or Wednesday 31 October between 9am and 5pm. The auction will officially commence at 5pm on October 31 with the presentation of selected automotive memorabilia followed by the impressive register of vehicles.