Rare 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300S Roadster Headlines Auction on Catawiki

Catawiki, an online auction platform for special objects, is currently hosting a dedicated automotive auction celebrating the centenary of Mercedes-Benz. While the Mercedes-Benz name was established in 1926, its origins can be traced back to Karl Benz’s Patent-Motorwagen, widely regarded as the world’s first automobile.

Catawiki’s Mercedes-Benz anniversary auction opened its bidding on June 5 and will run through June 21, 2026. The auction is led by a rare 1953 Mercedes 300S Roadster, one of only 141 ever produced, with an estimate of €450,000.

“The 300S Roadster brings together many of the qualities collectors still look for in classic Mercedes-Benz models: engineering, elegance, rarity and lasting cultural appeal,” said Franco Vigorito, classic cars expert at Catawiki. “Introduced after the Second World War, it was a statement of what Mercedes-Benz could still achieve at the very highest level, with each car hand-built in extremely limited numbers. That combination of craftsmanship and history is what makes examples like this so desirable today.”

Alongside the 300S Roadster, the auction features a selection of classic Mercedes-Benz models, including iconic SL models that remain highly sought-after among collectors, noted the release.

With its deep automotive heritage and long-standing passion for classic cars, Germany remains the strongest market for Mercedes-Benz collectors on Catawiki, generating significantly more sales than any other buyer country on the platform, the company said. The broader classic cars category is also gaining momentum in Germany, with classic car sales on Catawiki up 20% year-on-year in 2026 so far.