The World Cup is in full swing, so now’s the right time to consider buying this Mercedes-Benz as soon as owned by Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona. The Hand of God wheeled this Signal Red 1980 Mercedes-Benz 450SLC 5.0 out there at Bonhams Paris public sale on February 2, 2023 with an estimated sale value of €150,000-200,000 ($157,660 – $210,214). Maradona led Argentina to victory at the 1986 World Cup and was named the FIFA Player of the twentieth Century.
Maradona obtained the brand new Mercedes as a present from a bunch of influential supporters whereas enjoying for his first skilled crew, Club Atlético Boca Juniors of Buenos Aires. The 450SLC was offered to him by Formula 1 legend Juan Manuel Fangio, who owned the one official Mercedes dealership in Argentina at the time.
At 816 produced, the 1980 Mercedes-Benz 450SLC was a homologation particular to qualify for the World Rally Championship. This four-seater grand tourer coupé has light-weight aluminum panels and an all-aluminum engine to maintain weight down. The 5.0-liter V8 engine produced a factory-rated 240 hp when new and pushed the 450SLC to a high velocity of 209 km/h (130 mph). This instance has a console-shifted guide transmission.
“With the World Cup match between Argentina and Mexico going down this weekend, we’re delighted to announce that we are going to offer this distinctive motor automobile – and piece of sporting memorabilia – belonging to Maradona, who led his nationwide crew to World Cup victory in Mexico in 1986,” Philip Kantor, International Chairman, Bonhams Motoring, mentioned. “We are certain that the SLC will rating extremely at the podium in Paris.”
After Maradona’s possession, the Mercedes ended up in personal collections all through Argentina and was then imported to the U.S. It has 62,000 kms (38,000 miles) since new and was professionally restored.
In 2021, Bonhams offered a 1992 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 Type 964 ‘Works Turbo Look’ Cabriolet owned by Maradona for €483,000 ($592,124).
