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Automotive Lifestyle
VINTAGE: German Police Seize Classic Mercedes In Ownership Dispute
Ultra-rare 500 K Roadster sold by RM Auctions in Monterey for nearly $3.8 million has issues dating back to WWII.
The supercharged Mercedes-Benz 500 K Roadster is one of the most highly desired European classics from the pre-war era. (Photo: RM Auctions)
German police seized a 1937 Mercedes 500 K Roadster from its Dutch owner during the recent Techno Classica car show in Essen, Germany, because of questions about its ownership dating back to World War II.
The owner, Frans van Haren, purchased the car for $3.767 million from RM Auctions at Monterey in August and brought the rare roadster to Germany for display at Techno Classica.
According to a report in Jalopnik, the car is the subject of a custody battle in the name of its original German owner, and police took custody of the car once it was back in their jurisdiction.
The issue of the car's provenance goes back to 1945 when the original owner, Hans Friedrich Prym, purportedly sold the car to an American soldier. But Prym's heirs claim the car was stolen as spoils of war.
The dubious history could explain why the huge sum paid for the car in Monterey fell short of its pre-sale estimate by RM of $4 million to $5 million. The car was part of a collection of rare and extremely valuable pre-war Mercedes-Benz cars sold during the auction.
With the car now in police custody, the drawn-out legal battle over its rightful ownership will begin. More than 20 years of history from van Haren's Mercedes is missing, and the inevitable court case to discover its true owner and fill in the gaps will no doubt be long and expensive.
A version of this story originally appeared at Motor Authority.
The owner, Frans van Haren, purchased the car for $3.767 million from RM Auctions at Monterey in August and brought the rare roadster to Germany for display at Techno Classica.
According to a report in Jalopnik, the car is the subject of a custody battle in the name of its original German owner, and police took custody of the car once it was back in their jurisdiction.
The issue of the car's provenance goes back to 1945 when the original owner, Hans Friedrich Prym, purportedly sold the car to an American soldier. But Prym's heirs claim the car was stolen as spoils of war.
The dubious history could explain why the huge sum paid for the car in Monterey fell short of its pre-sale estimate by RM of $4 million to $5 million. The car was part of a collection of rare and extremely valuable pre-war Mercedes-Benz cars sold during the auction.
With the car now in police custody, the drawn-out legal battle over its rightful ownership will begin. More than 20 years of history from van Haren's Mercedes is missing, and the inevitable court case to discover its true owner and fill in the gaps will no doubt be long and expensive.
A version of this story originally appeared at Motor Authority.
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