Express & Star

Rowan Atkinson selling rare Mercedes and Lancia models at auction

Johnny English star is putting hand-built, left-hand-drive Mercedes and Lancia under the hammer with no reserve

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A 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500E and 1989 Lancia Thema 8.32 owned by comedian and car enthusiast Rowan Atkinson are to go under the hammer next month.

They will be the highlight of Silverstone Auctions’ Race Retro Classic Car Sale on February 24 and 25.

Neither has a reserve, meaning they could be sold for bargain prices, but the auction house expects both to be entangled in bidding wars.

The rare, left-hand-drive, hand-built silver Merc is powered by a 5.0-litre V8 engine, which can hit 60mph from start in just five seconds.

Lancia Thelma (Silverstone Auctions)
Lancia Thema (Silverstone Auctions)

It is finished inside with grey cloth upholstery – preferred by the former Mr Bean actor to the standard leather interior – coupled with walnut detailing.

Atkinson was so impressed by the first 500E he bought new in the 1990s that in 2015 he set about finding a best-of-breed example – which is the one now being offered for auction.

But the Johnny English star’s Lancia is even more special, as it is one of only 20 registered in the UK. Atkinson said he chose this model – priced at £40,000 new in 1989 – because of its rarity.

Finished in red and housing a V8 from a Ferrari 328, this left-hand-drive example, complete with beige velour upholstery, has been owned by Atkinson for the past seven years, during which time he is said to have spent “considerable sums” maintaining and improving it.

Nick Whale, managing director, said: “We’re honoured that Rowan is once again entrusting his cars to Silverstone Auctions, this time with two much-loved models.

“Both are particularly fine examples of their marque and built in low numbers in left-hand drive only, offering the opportunity to own a modern classic with a distinguished past, possibly for a bargain price.”

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