On January 6, 1973, a record-breaking cost was set for vehicles sold at public auction. The subject of the conversation was a 1940 Mercedes Benz 770k, also known as the «Grosser Mercedes» — a limousine in which, according to experts, Adolf Hitler himself participated in one of the military parades. The auction that put its name into history books took place in Scottsdale, Arizona, and the German legend went under the hammer for $ 153,000, which at that time was the highest amount ever spent on a car put up as a lot. The buyer was Earl Clark, an amusement park owner. However, since then, a specially equipped Mercedes weighing about 5 tons, brought by the Americans as a trophy and exhibited in the casino for public viewing as the main prize, has been to several private collections. It is now owned by retired US Army General William Lyon, who received the car in 1984. Let’s also say that the previous achievement belonged to some hotelier who bought a 1933 Duesenberg from actress Greta Garbo’s garage for $ 90,000.
Cover: Car and Bike / Issuu