Many have assumed that as older collectors die and younger generations become more prominent in the hobby, cars made before the 1950s will simply diminish in value. That’s all based on the errant belief that younger generations can’t read, watch documentaries, and otherwise enjoy vehicles which are as old as or older than their grandparents.
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Examples which fly in the face of this line of thought keep coming, the latest and perhaps one of the most shocking, extreme examples being a 1903 Mercedes-Simplex 60 HP “Roi Des Belges” which was auctioned by Gooding & Company at Amelia Island.
The official estimate by the auction house for the high bid was “in excess of $10,000,000” but quite a few people seemed to think that was a bit overly optimistic. It turns out that was quite conservative as the classic German car sold for $12,105,000.
A mere five of these cars are known to still be in existence, so the new owner has become the member of quite the exclusive club. This particular one was made for Alfred Harmsworth, a British publishing magnate and motoring pioneer, and has a meticulously documented history for good reason.
While this car in and of itself is special and quite rare, it’s been kept in the same family for 121 years. Since this is the first time it’s been offered for sale to the public, interest in it was sky-high. How many other early twentieth century cars have been kept off the market until now? Not many.
Back when it was made, the Mercedes-Simplex 60 HP was quite the vehicle, having set the record at Nice Speed Week and Castlewellan Hill Climb back in 1903. In other words, this was a performance powerhouse with its 9,236 cc F-head inline-four engine and single Zenith carburetor.
The Amelia Island auction put on by Gooding & Company proved the old girl’s still got it and that interest in antique cars, especially those with strong historical significance, hasn’t dampened one bit.
Images via Gooding & Company
Shawn Henry 
Elizabeth Puckett