1966 MERCEDES 250 S SALOON - Bonhams Festival of Speed Sale 26/06/15

COMING TO AUCTION

FROM

FRIDAY 26th JUNE

GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED SALE

GOODWOOD CIRCUIT, GOODWOOD

FULL CATALOGUE AT: http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/22723/

 

THE PROPERTY OF BILL WYMAN

1966 MERCEDES 250 S SALOON

Registration no. KYM 585D  Chassis no. 10801222013267  Engine no. 10892022005086

£20,000 - 25,000

€28,000 - 35,000

 

The property of Bill Wyman
1966 Mercedes 250 S Saloon
Registration no. KYM 585D
Chassis no. 10801222013267
Engine no. 10892022005086

*Right-hand drive, UK-delivered example
*Classic 'stacked headlamp' model *Celebrity owner
*Recent complete rebuild

FOOTNOTES

• First shown at Frankfurt in 1965, the 'S' Class Mercedes-Benz range was outwardly distinguishable from preceding models by a new, sleeker bodyshell with lower roof and waist lines and increased glass area. All models featured similar all-independent suspension, as well as four-wheel disc brakes and power-assisted steering. Although developed from the 220's 2.2-litre unit, the new 2.5- litre engine of the 250 S incorporated numerous improvements, including a seven-bearing crankshaft, and produced 130bhp at 5,400rpm, good enough for a top speed of 112mph.
  
  Founder member of the Rolling Stones, Bill Wyman purchased this classic 'stacked headlamp' Mercedes-Benz 250 S saloon from a garage in Anerley Hill, South London. The first of many he would own, the Mercedes cost him £3,853 and was delivered on Monday 22nd August 1966. 'This was the first Mercedes with curved black windows,' Bill revealed. 'Everyone was getting black windows – Mick (Jagger) and, I think, Brian (Jones) did in their Minis. Mercedes had never done it, so I had to contribute to the research on how to make them. It cost me about £350.'
  
  Mercedes-Benz though, had rejected Bill's order for black windows, so a company in West London removed the 250's windows – they were curved not flat – took a mould from them and commissioned Pilkington to make special glass to fit. 'Then of course I got stopped all the time, Bill recalls. 'Though the police usually just wanted to see who was in it.'
  
  From 1966 to 1969 Bill used this car to travel around London and to Olympic Studios in Barnes where the Rolling Stones were recordingBeggars Banquet, featuring the iconic track Sympathy for the Devil, and Let It Bleed featuring Gimme Shelter and You Can't Always Get What You Want. Says Bill: 'When we weren't in the studio or touring I drove round England with my camera, taking photographs.'
  
  On Wednesday 11th November 1970, Bill traded in 'KYM 585D' for part exchange (£1,600) and bought a new Mercedes-Benz 250 CE Coupé ('FRT 9J') from Barnard's in Stowmarket, Suffolk for £4,195. Fortunately for Bill, his beloved Mercedes-Benz 250 S did not move very far and on Wednesday 6th November 1991 he was able to buy it back from a lady in Bury St Edmunds for £1,000. 'At first she would not accept my offer so I had my estate manager go to the bank and take out £1,000 in £1 notes,' Bill recalls. 'He presented the offer again in person saying "take it or leave it". She took it.'
  
  Unfortunately the black windows were either missing by now or cracked, and the car was in poor condition. In 1997 Bill commissioned Tony Davey to completely rebuild 'KYM 585D' at a cost of almost £20,000, though the original tinted windows are no longer in place. (Tony Davey is the man that rebuilt Roger Moore's The Saint car and dozens of other classics dating from the 1930s to the present day). Since the restoration's completion the Mercedes has been stored as part of Bill's private collection. Described as in generally excellent condition, this iconic piece of rock music memorabilia is offered with MoT to February 2016 and a V5 registration document.

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