TWO GERMAN JEWELS SHOW STYLE AND ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE ACROSS FOUR DECADES AT SILVERSTONE AUCTIONS ON MAY 20TH

You don’t have to be a paid up petrolhead to appreciate great engineering and style, though that may help with the finer points. But this drivers’ cars can be understood by anyone who has ever sat behind the wheel of a car.

A horse rider will tell you that if a horse is beautifully bred and well made, highly schooled and fit, it will tell you things immediately you get on its back. It will subliminally tell you it is as ready eager and willing to share the journey ahead with you and to go as fast or slow as you like. This thoroughbred car shares that quality in spades. Once driven you will not forget it.

The 993 was the final generation of the air-cooled 911, and as such will always have a special place in the affections of Porsche enthusiasts. It's also widely said to be the last of the 911s that were built whilst engineering integrity overruled accounting pressures at Porsche. Twenty years on, it still looks modern - a truly timeless design. It was introduced in the autumn of 1994 and was claimed to be 80% new with more curvaceous bodywork and a number of new panels creating a much smoother and more integrated look, however, importantly, this new style was still every inch a 911 in the traditional manner, with the profiles of the doors and rear quarter windows remaining unchanged from earlier models.

This lovely manual gearbox car comes to sale from 26-years ownership in fabulous condition and benefiting from an exceptional service history. Part of the 911's perennial appeal is the purity of line of the early cars, often compromised by the later addition of protrusions, however, devoid of a sunroof, rear wash wipe and high-level brake light, the top line of this 993 is wind-tunnel perfect. And what better year to indulge yourself in a Porsche 911 – 2023 is Porsche’s 75th?year in business and the 60th?year of the 911 production.

In June 2022, the car toured Europe in a convoy of fellow Porsche enthusiasts and behaved perfectly, covering 2,200 trouble-free miles in two weeks. Subsequently, in August 2022, it was issued with a fresh MOT Certificate indicating 'no advisories'. Garaged and cosseted all of its life, this is a super example of the last of the air cooled 911s in exactly the specification you would want and, short of going back onto its German plate, it's about as original as you could hope to find.

The biggest change under the skin was the new multi-link rear suspension, giving greater driver confidence, less road noise and excellent ride quality. Designed to give a level of passive rear-wheel steering (the 'Weissach effect'), thus controlling the way the suspension behaved under cornering, braking and acceleration, it transformed the 911. It was also the first 911 to be equipped with power steering and an advanced ABS system. Utilising the same 3.6-litre engine as the 964, mated to a development of the worthy G50 gearbox, but now with six forward gears or the smooth Tiptronic automatic gearbox, the 993 from 1995 produced 272bhp enabling a top speed of over 150mph and acceleration to match.

Finished in Polar Silver Metallic, it's fitted with the optional premium softer black leather interior which has been treated (Autoglym Leather Balm) twice annually since 1997 and still looks perfect today. Factory fitted options included 'Sports' suspension (10mm lower and slightly stiffer), automatic air-conditioning, electric heated and adjustable seats, a limited-slip differential, power steering, a Blaupunkt radio and CD player, onboard computer and 17’’ Cup-design alloy wheels. For UK driving it has twin rear fog lights and adjustable dipped beam.

The car's overall condition is exceptional and testament to its current owners care and attention. There are a couple of very minor blemishes, commensurate with its 74,983 miles (120,572km) and it still rides on OE-fit Bridgestone Potenzas. The carpets have always had over mats and the interior is immaculate. The original speedometer (supplied with the car) was replaced with a Porsche, newly manufactured unit in August 2021 with the mileage showing 115,304km and the new unit now reads 5,268km. It comes with its original Porsche box and the change is documented in the service record.

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Representing new beginnings for Mercedes this comfortable, elegant, four-seat 1950s Mercedes Cabriolet, has recently been refreshed and is now ready to be enjoyed for an estimate of ￡60,000 to ￡70,000.

In the aftermath of the Second World War, Daimler-Benz recommenced vehicle production with the pre-war 170V, whose tooling and assembly lines had somehow managed to survive the destruction of Allied raids.

It has a relatively modern design under that 1930s retro skin, with rigid construction and independent suspension all round (using swing-axles at the rear) providing ride and handling unmatched by any other car in its class.

The engine was a robust side-valve four-cylinder that, with high (all-synchro) gearing, was capable of cruising at autobahn speeds, while a diesel unit was added to the range in 1949 along with a more luxurious model known as the 170S (the S standing for Super). Designated the W136, the new model used a slightly longer and wider body based on the pre-war 230, giving more interior space, a larger boot and extra chrome trim.

The additional weight resulted in a number of mechanical revisions, including an enlarged 1767cc engine with a single Solex downdraught carburettor, larger brakes and revised front suspension featuring wishbones and coil springs. Aimed at the well-heeled buyer, the 170S was also notable as the first post-war Mercedes-Benz sold outside Germany. The interior had numerous improvements, including instruments located directly ahead of the driver and very comfortable cloth-trimmed seats. In production from May 1949 until February 1952, Daimler-Benz offered the 170S as a saloon (with the option of a sunroof) and in two cabriolet guises, offering a choice of two or four seats.

Finished in the most attractive colour combination of Black over Cream this outstanding, left-hand drive, four-seat, Mercedes 170S Cabriolet B was restored in the Netherlands by an ex-Mercedes engineer, clearly with an eye for detail. It's exceptionally well presented with a really lovely period interior reminiscent of those, slightly decadent, coachbuilt coupés of the late 1930s. Having been in storage from 2015 until recently, the vehicle has now been fully recommissioned and is ready to be enjoyed. It's accompanied by an interesting history file and photographic record of the restoration and as such would grace the floor of any serious collection, however, we feel that it would be so much more fun when used as intended.

More information about these vehicles and the others consigned for Silverstone Auctions Sale of Iconic, Classic and Supercars at Supercar Fest on Saturday 20th May can be found on their website www.silverstoneauctions.com. If you are interested in selling a car at this event, be it a supercar or classic, head to the website where you can find details of how to get a free valuation and submit your vehicle for sale. Supercar Fest is the ideal event for selling prestige cars as it attracts 1000s of like-minded supercar fans.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT

Rob Hubbard

Tel 01926 691141

[email protected]

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ABOUT SILVERSTONE AUCTIONS

Formed in 2011, Silverstone Auctions is a world-class, specialist auction house for the sale of classic cars, modern supercars, all types of competition cars, modern and historic motorcycles as well as automotive memorabilia and?became the UK's market leading classic car auction house in 2020.

We hold the exclusive automotive auction rights for Silverstone circuit and host sales as stand-alone events as well as an integrated element of some of Europe's biggest motorsport events such as the Silverstone Classic Festival.

In addition to our sales at the circuit, we also host a number of auctions each year at other major classic car events including the NEC Classic Motor Show and Supercar Fest.

At Silverstone Auctions we take pride in selecting the very best of breed vehicles for our sales which not only attracts buyers from around the world but has already helped us achieve a number of record-breaking auction prices on behalf of our vendors.

We are committed to providing the best possible service for both buyers and vendors alike, so if you'd like to know more about buying or selling a classic vehicle with Silverstone Auctions, call us today on +44(0)19