ModaMiami 2026 Celebrates 140 Years of Mercedes-Benz With Historic Display
From the 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen to the Mercedes-AMG ONE, a lineage of engineering excellence takes center stage at The Biltmore Hotel in Miami...
RM Sotheby’s will welcome Mercedes-Benz Heritage as a featured partner of ModaMiami 2026, presenting a curated selection of automobiles that trace the evolution of the motorcar from its origin to the present day. Staged at The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables from Feb. 27 to March 1, the weekend brings together collectors and enthusiasts as a meeting point for automotive culture, relevance and experiential luxury, company officials stated in a press release.
Take a Ride in the 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen
At the center of the display is the 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen, widely regarded as the first automobile. Filed by Carl Benz on Jan. 29, 1886, the patent marked the beginning of modern mobility and is now recognized in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. At ModaMiami, the Motorwagen will lead the Moda Classic drive and offer demonstration rides on the show field, allowing guests to experience the earliest chapter of automotive history in motion, noted the release.
Presentation of Mercedes-Benz Vehicles Spans Generations
A rare 1905 “American Mercedes” reflects the brand’s early transatlantic production, while classics such as the 1936 290 Cabriolet A, the 1957 300 SL “Gullwing” and the 1961 300 d illustrate the marque’s evolving expression of performance and luxury. Motorsport heritage is represented by the 300 SE “Rallye” Fintail, recalling Mercedes-Benz’s international rally successes of the 1960s.
Contemporary engineering reaches its apex in the Mercedes-AMG ONE, limited to 275 examples worldwide and powered by Formula 1-derived hybrid technology producing 1,063 horsepower. The exhibition also includes a 1990 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II, one of 502 homologation models produced, and a CLK 63 AMG Black Series participating in Sunday’s 100 Club drive.
MANUFAKTUR Mercedes-Benz
A further highlight is the presentation of MANUFAKTUR Mercedes-Benz, the company’s cross-brand customization program. Selected materials and craftsmanship refine each vehicle and make it unique. A Mercedes-AMG G 63 MANUFAKTUR from 2026 in the bright color Sea Blue Metallic and with other individual equipment features, including an interior in MANUFAKTUR Black with contrasting blue stitching, will be exhibited at ModaMiami.
