To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Munich event, 23 November 2024.

• Offered from The Aumann Collection after 26 years of ownership
• A fine example of Mercedes-Benz’s legendary supercharged leviathan
• Delivered new via Brooklands racer and Mercedes-Benz dealer Gordon Watney
• Later rebodied by Corsica to become a stunning open two-seater
• Pebble Beach award recipient

Mercedes-Benz will forever be inextricably linked with supercharging thanks to adopting the technology in the early 1920s, then mastering the craft in order to dominate Grand Prix and Sportscar racing. Arguably, the pinnacle of the marque’s pre-war sports cars was the S-Type, which eventually gained a gigantic 7,065-cc engine and enlarged supercharger. In final Works SSK specification, the six-cylinder could be expected to produce 300 PS with the supercharged fully engaged. In total, just 111 SS cars (called “Super Sports”) were produced by the Untertürkheim works.

According to its commission sheet, this 710 Super Sport, chassis number 36036, was ordered by Mayfair dealer Gordon Watney via British Mercedes-Benz Ltd. Ordered in chassis form, it left the factory on 15 August 1929. The car’s first coachbuilder is believed to be Martin Walter, and it was finally delivered on 25 October 1929, and then registered on 25 November 1929. The first owner is thought to be Thomas “Scrap” Thistlethwayte, a “Bentley Boy” whose allegiance switched to Mercedes-Benz for the final part of his international racing career. Thistlethwayte had raced another Martin Walter-bodied SS for 1929, apparently hoping a more powerful version (believed to be this car) would be delivered in time for the RAC Tourist Trophy. But this did not happen, and he called time on his racing later that season.

This SS is known to have suffered damage to the rear in an accident, likely prompting the fitting of a new roadster body. Corsica Coachworks is one of the most revered coachbuilders of the pre-war period—many of its creations are aesthetically stunning, always penned using sketches rather than accurate drawings, resulting in nearly every Corsica body being unique. Period pictures show the car in black.

On 8 September 1934, this wonderful SS was reregistered “AGH 594” by Clifford Taylor, a dealer on Berkeley Square of London. Taylor also moonlighted as a film producer, so this Mercedes-Benz made a cameo appearance at Brooklands in the Ealing Studios film, Death Drives Through. It was then sold it to Military Cross recipient Colonel Samuel Sandars of Lincolnshire. The next owner, from 17 November 1938, was Ewart Bradshaw, a wealthy businessman with a chain of car dealerships across Lancashire. During this SS’s time in Lancashire, it is believed that the engine was swapped for another with a 680 S number. Bradshaw passed away in 1959. A letter dated 6 September 1962 from Bradshaw’s son explains the car and price of £1,500 to another SS owner. Soon after, it was sold to the famous Mercedes-Benz collector ML “Bud” Cohn and shipped in May 1963 to Los Angeles. Cohn painted the car white over a red interior.

This SS was one of the jewels of Cohn’s collection and made $320,000 (hammer price) at an estate sale in February 1979, then a world record for a car sold at auction. The buyer was Skip Berg, who would win a 2nd in class prize at the 1981 Pebble Beach Concours. It was then sold via Leland Gohlike to David Goodwin, before passing to Skip Barber in the late-1980s.

In 1990, it was purchased by Swedish car collector Kent Olsson and restored by TE Berrisford over seven years. Upon completion, it returned to Pebble Beach for the 1997 edition and was awarded the Chairman’s Trophy. In October 1998, the car joined The Aumann Collection. In this time, this wonderful Mercedes-Benz has been the subject of another cosmetic restoration to return it to period colours. The Mercedes-Benz was subsequently displayed at various concours events, including the 1999 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, where it was awarded Best of Show by Public Referendum.

One of the greatest models of one of the most revered car companies, the SS is a model that will always remain a part of motoring folklore. Whether it is the high-pitched screech of the supercharger or simply its mighty road presence, this SS sensationally clothed by Corsica would surely be welcome at any major motoring event around the world.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/mu24/.