Ik denk 'huh? $3050 voor een '84er 911?'

Klik ik even een fotootje aan...

Km stand is een plus, kleur en tip een min. Zou zeggen dat rond de 25k netjes is.

Lot No: 2
One owner from new
1991 Mercedes-Benz 500E
Chassis no. WDB1240361B648605

Estimate: CHF5,000 - 8,000

Footnote:
The Q-car is accorded a special place in the hearts of many enthusiasts and Peter Baumberger was a leading one of them. There is, after all, something appealing about a car that looks like it wouldn't swat a fly but actually kicks like a mule.

Meet the Mercedes 500E – an ordinary E-Class equipped with a 326bhp 5.0-litre V8. That may not sound particularly impressive, but back in 1991 when it was launched, a Porsche 911 Turbo only had 316bhp...

The Porsche analogy is a fitting one since Merccedes turned to the sports car marque for help creating the 500E. Each car was hand built at Porsche's Zuffenhausen facility and took 18 days to complete. This was a bespoke, specialist car. Track widths were widened by an inch and a half, the wheelarches were flared to compensate, the suspension was lowered and stiffened, bigger brakes were fitted and a subtle – very subtle – bodykit was added.

The 32 valve V8 was derived from the 500SL's and delivered a massive 354lb ft of torque to the rear wheels. Despite featuring a four-speed automatic gearbox, contemporary road tests achieved the benchmark 0-60mph sprint in under six seconds, with the quarter mile taking 14 sec and rumours that derestricted cars could hit 170mph flat out.

Inside, occupants didn't want for anything, the 500E exceptionally well kitted out as standard with features that included Recaro leather seats and the option of a cellular telephone. Left-hand drive only, Mercedes built a little over 10,000 during three years of production.

The W124 generation E-Class is widely considered to be one of the best-built cars Mercedes ever produced, meaning this 104,623km car can be considered a low mileage example! Ordered new by Peter Baumberger in silver grey with black leather (perhaps the most desirable colour scheme of all), it comes with all the necessary manuals and a Becker stereo system. The car is illustrated with winter wheels and tyres fitted; we hope to locate the summer set prior to the auction so please check back with us. This 500E normally resided at the Baur au Lac in Zurich, one of Peter's favourite hotels, where it provided motoring entertainment in between board meetings!

Although the autobahn is the 500E's natural habitat and it was never regarded as a go-kart ('a groundborne executive jet' is how Motor Trend described it), the mega-Merc certainly leaves a lasting impression and is already a young classic.

The Baumberger Collection 500E is offered with Swiss registration (cancelled) and a full complement of owners handbooks.