Description
Mercedes Benz had a long tradition of supplying cars to Formula One team owners and drivers as is the case with this fine 560 SEC which was presented when new to Nigel Mansell who would later become a Formula One World Champion. As was often the case with these special orders this flagship of the Mercedes range was equipped with all factory extras and built to UK specification, but in left hand drive as Mansell was Monaco-based at the time. He used it extensively for a few years in Europe and it later returned with him to the UK where it was registered in his name.
Following his ownership the SEC became part of the famous Patrick Collection, a now legendary Midlands-based collection, a showcase for Post-war motoring that featured only the finest contemporary cars, all in perfect original order with low mileage.
We have known this car for a number of years having sold it in 2002 to the late Brian Sewell, the well-known and opinionated art critic with a lesser known penchant for fine cars. I clearly remember our first conversation, the opening line being “Dear Boy, please tell me that rather marvellous Mercedes is still not taken...” At this time the car was in unmarked and completely original order with just 15, 000 miles recorded, as close as one could hope to get to a brand new 560 SEC, basically.
He kept the car until 2010 only selling it as he found it quite a handful on his local roads around Barnes in his advancing years. He remained loyal to the brand however swapping it for a new compact Mercedes A Class at the Mercedes West London dealership. They clearly knew the SEC was rather special, it obviously came with great provenance and was in good order and had covered less than 40, 000 miles. At this point Mercedes Benz UK purchased the car for their Heritage Fleet, a collection of the best examples of iconic past models.
The car was duly delivered to the workshops of Mercedes Benz UK in Milton Keynes for a full evaluation. Following this any work required was carried out as documented in an exhaustive print out on file which details the exhaustive list of works completed between 2010 and 2023 in order to keep it in top condition. The SEC has been a well-known exhibit at Mercedes Benz Brooklands and has featured at a number of model launches and Heritage events.
A special car that remains in great order with only 45, 000 miles recorded and a rather special history. A recent drive reminded me just how well these cars perform, unimpeachable quality and a huge feel-good factor. Mercedes Benz at the top of their game.
