Bernie selling up?

25/07/2007

It's well documented that before turning Formula One into a multi-billion pound business and one of the leading global sports - netting himself a couple of billion along the way - Bernie Ecclestone started out as a motorcycle parts trader, before turning to dealing in motorcycles then cars and subsequently property.

In his time the F1 supremo has not only amassed a large collection of money, but a sizeable, almost priceless, collection of cars, of both the racing and road variety.

Every now and then, one of the cars from his fabulous collection is wheeled out and makes an appearance at a historic meeting, a good example being the appearance of the legendary Brabham fan-car at Goodwood a few years ago,

It comes as something of a surprise therefore to see that Ecclestone is selling a number of his fabulous road cars, including a 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Spezial Roadster, which is valued at around £3m.

A number of superb machines will come under the hammer at a special sale in Battersea Park - just a short bus ride from both Bernie's office and home - on October 31st. What you might call the F1 supremo's very own 'trick or treat' garage sale.

Other cars going under the hammer include a 1928 SSK, a 1930 SS two-door Tourer, a 1931 SSKL, a 1935 500K Special Cab A, and a 1937 540K Cabriolet A.

There's also a 1955 300SL Gullwing and a 1963 300SL Roadster, while Ferrari connoisseurs will be interested in the a 1954 250 Europa GT MKII, as well as at least one of the rare early-production 206 Dinos.

There is a preview on October 30, while admission to the auction event requires the purchase of an official auction catalogue available for £50.

It is well known that Bernie treasures many of these cars, therefore one has to wonder why the need to sell them. The fact that he is even selling a couple of Fiat 500s and VW Beetles only adds to the mystery.

Then again, perhaps the stories linking him with 'The Arse' are correct, and he's selling the collection in order to purchase a replacement for Thierry Henry.

For further details of the Automobiles of London auction, click here