Dusty Diamonds: The Classic Cars Unveiled
Ah, Hamburg! Known for beer, sausage, and remarkable finds – and it appears it’s been on the scavenger hunt again! If your idea of a treasure hunt involves luxury sports cars and a touch of dust, then hold on to your beret because you’re in for a wild ride!
These car treasures from California were apparently lost in the crevices of a barn, or should we say a “secret tennis hall,” for 15 years. Only recently did they spring forth from their dust-covered slumber in Schleswig-Holstein. Surprise – it’s not just your old tennis racquet hiding in there, but 50 classic luxury cars! Yes, you heard it right. That’s not just a few grandma’s leftovers; that’s a full-on car buffet! We’re talking about 14 Porsche 911s, 28 Mercedes-Benz SL/SLCs, and a couple of Ferraris. You know your childhood dreams are still alive!
The Unbelievable Discovery
Professional car dealer Benjamin David, a savvy chap at 36, decided to play detective with his partner upon some whispers of old sports cars. And guess what? They struck gold! Well, more like dusty gold. After some “good old handshake negotiations” – because let’s be honest, who needs paperwork when you can shake hands like an 80s action hero? – they agreed to buy the entire collection without even laying eyes on the cars!
“You’d have to be crazy to get involved in that,” David said, which is probably just the right level of crazy we all aspire to be! Imagine purchasing a car based on an inventory list and absolute faith. Talk about living on the edge!
A Taste of Vintage Glamour
Now, as the dust settled (quite literally), it turned out that most of these cars were in better shape than expected. Thanks to California’s dry climate, most Porsches managed to dodge rust like a pro avoiding a tax audit. However, the Mercedes vehicles needed a bit more TLC – and perhaps a bit of swearing while trying to fix their electrics!
But why were these beauties hiding out in a barn, you ask? Well, our mysterious Hamburg businessman figured that in the midst of the 2008 financial crisis, luxury cars were about as useful as a chocolate teapot.
He scooped up these beauties from California at rock-bottom prices, imagining a business model where the cars would be repaired, revitalized, and then respawned back onto the market like a phoenix from the ashes. Alas, the reality of skyrocketing restoration costs had other plans!
Auction Time – Let the Bids Roll In!
And here’s the twist: all those Porsches gone! Just like good pies at a fair, all snatched up by eager bidders. But don’t fret, dear enthusiasts; the remaining treasures are set to go under the hammer on November 30th from 11 a.m. in Winsen/Luhe, Lower Saxony. You can imagine the bidding excitement like kids fighting over the last chocolate cake!
Until the cars find their new homes, they’re staying just as they are – dirty and full of stories, which seems to only add to their charm. “Many customers love cars with history,” David claimed, probably alluding to the ‘character’ that comes with the dust. Because nothing says ‘vintage luxury’ like a layer of grunge, right?
So, whether you’re a car collector, a dusty old jalopy enthusiast, or just someone who enjoys living vicariously through other people’s wealth, these cars have got you covered. Who knew cruising down the Autobahn could start with a history lesson? Buckle up; it’s going to be a thrilling ride!
Hamburg – These car treasures from California were considered lost for 15 years, but now they have been discovered completely covered in dust in northern Germany!
They slumbered in an old, secret barn in Schleswig-Holstein: 50 luxury classic cars, including 14 Porsche 911s (built between 1974 and 1989), 28 Mercedes-Benz SL/SLCs (1973 to 1989) and two Ferraris 328 GTS (1988).
After rumors about the old sports cars, car dealer Benjamin David (36) went looking with his partner – and found what they were looking for.
Car dealer bought all the classic cars sight unseen
The tennis hall was kept secret until the very last moment. Only after a handshake deal was the car dealer taken to the cars
Foto: David finest sport cars
“You always hear about individual, particularly valuable cars that suddenly turn up. But so-called barn finds in such quantity and quality are an absolute sensation,” says car dealer Benjamin David from “David Finest Sports Cars” in Hamburg.
Before the two had even seen the sports cars, they agreed with the previous owner on a farm with a handshake on an almost seven-figure purchase price!
Garage gold from the 80s. Sports car expert Benjamin David in front of two old and dusty Mercedes SL 380s with US registration
Photo: HENNING SCHAFFNER
Then they drove together to the old tennis hall. David: “You’d have to be crazy to get involved in that. We had an inventory list, but no idea about the condition of each model.”
Vintage cars belonged to rich businessman
Then the great relief: the majority of the cars were in better condition than expected under the thick layer of dust. “Most of the Porsches were in original condition and were rust-free due to the dry California climate,” remembers David. With the Mercedes models, however, there is more to be done, e.g. B. on the 560 SL (R 107 series). A cult model that made actor Patrick Duffy famous in the US series “Dallas”.
This is how the Mercedes SL 560 became famous: “Dallas” actor Victoria Patrick Duffy and Victoria Principal in front of the classic car in 1980
Foto: CBS via Getty Images
A Hamburg businessman (would like to remain anonymous) wanted to benefit from a new business model in 2008. The financial crisis raged worldwide Real estate market in the USA collapsed and many Americans had to part with their luxury cars. “Sports car prices dropped, so he took action and imported 50 vehicles from California Deutschland“, so David.
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The plan was to repair the cars cheaply in Eastern Europe and resell them at a profit. But material and workshop costs rose so dramatically that restoration was suddenly no longer profitable.
All 911s were brought from the secret tennis hall in Hamburg to the car dealership’s showroom
Foto: David finest sport cars
Car treasure is now being auctioned
The Porsches have all been sold, the remaining classic cars will be on sale on November 30th from 11 a.m. in Winsen/Luhe (Lower Saxony). Auction auctioned.
Until the cars are sold, they remain dirty. “That’s what makes them so attractive, many customers love cars with history,” explains car dealer Benjamin David (36).
“The SL 560 with a V8 engine was developed especially for the American market,” explains Benjamin David and presents a black Mercedes from the barn find
Photo: Henning Schaffner
