A Mercedes-Benz 190SL restoration project in England is being offered for sale with an estimate of $67,000-$77,800NZD.
The example being offered for sale was purchased as a restoration project in the mid-1970s, but very little work was carried out before it was put into dry storage, where it has remained untouched for about 40 years.
The engine has been started every so often, and it is said to start and run well, and the vendor says that the car still drives.
Further examples of German engineering at auctioneer Barons' Classic Winter Warmer sale at Sandown Park near Esher, Surrey on February 28 include a 2003 Porsche 911 Turbo (estimated at $57,000-$69,000), 1992 Porsche 968 Cabriolet ($26,000-$31,000) and several more Mercedes, including a 2003 SL 350 estimated to sell for $22,500-$27,000.
Italian offerings include Alfa Romeo Spiders from 1972 and 1996, while the 1972 Alfa Romeo Berlina 2000 is claimed to be a fine example of the increasingly rare 105-series Alfa saloons. It has been part of a private collection in Italy for the last 25 years, stored in a heated, dry garage and is estimated to fetch $13,800-$17,000.
Despite its appearance, the 190SL is said to run and even drive
There's also a charming 1977 AutoBianchi Giardinetta. Essentially an estate version of the Fiat 500, this little car has rarely been used in the past 30 years and the interior is in fantastic original condition. Yours for just over $10,000.
British sporting cars include a 1998 Aston Martin DB7 Volante and a 2000 Aston Martin DB7 Vantage. Turning back the clock, there's also a 1937 MG TA which has covered just 2,000 miles since a full nut and bolt restoration about 20 years ago, which is likely to sell for $40,000-$51,000.
The sale also includes three cars which would make ideal family classics. A 1953 Ford Prefect E493A needs a little TLC but is estimated at only $6,000, while a highly original 1956 Vauxhall Cresta E (with only 31,000 miles on the clock it has been unused for 25 years and is believed to have been part of the British Embassy's fleet in Paris) carries an estimate of less than $14,000.
A 1985 Ford Granada Ghia 2.8i has had just one fastidious owner from new and is realistically estimated at $10,000.
- Telegraph.co.uk