Previously owned by Bernie Ecclestone and standing as one of four examples prepared for the 1923 Indianapolis 500, this Mercedes Type 122 may be the last of Paul Daimler’s masterpieces.
Finishing eighth as the highest-placed Mercedes in the 1923 Indianapolis 500, where it was driven by Max and Karl Sailer, this Mercedes remained under the care of the American Mercedes Company until 1924. Since then, this car has been meticulosity preserved and has had quite a few owners, including Formula 1 executive Bernie Ecclestone.
This Mercedes has also been part of a few collections, including that of Henry Austin Clark Jr. at the Long Island Automotive Museum and of Yoshiyuki Hayashi in Gotemba, Japan.
In 2011, the car underwent a full engine rebuild by Capricorn Engineering, with bills totaling almost €150,000. Today it sports many numbered and period-correct components, including its crankcase and gearbox. It is also accompanied by a separate period body presented in bare metal.
Find this Mercedes Type 122 Indianapolis Racer for auction at RM Sotheby's with an estimated value of $4.1-$5.5 million.
