Bonhams to auction 40 iconic Mercedes this July

Some of the most remarkable models in the German car manufacturer's history will go on the auction block on July 12, 2014 at the Mercedes-Benz museum in Stuttgart, Germany.

Although the complete sales catalog is not yet available, a few cars have been announced, including a 1909 Mercedes with 35hp. This antique model is expected to draw between €480,000 and €680,000 ($660,000 to $935,000) at auction.

This exceptional auction marks the start of a new partnership between Bonhams and Mercedes.

'We share an idea with Bonhams: Both of us stand for unique and authentic vehicles,' said Michael Bock, Head of Mercedes-Benz Classic at Daimler AG. 'We regard classic vehicles as a key heritage for society. And valuing authenticity plays an important role in this.'

On July 12, 2013, during an auction outside of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Bonhams set a new record with the sale of the Mercedes W196 piloted by Juan-Manuel Fangio to victory in the 1954 F1 World Championships. The car sold for £19.6 million ($3.3 million).

The Mercedes-Benz Museum, where the auction will take place this July, houses over 1,500 artefacts, including 160 cars, in a 16,500 square meter exhibition space.