Elvis Mercedes to be auctioned

LONDON - A slate blue Mercedes 600 once registered in the name of Elvis Presley is to be auctioned in December this year by the British auction house Bonhams with a pre-sale estimate of between 180,000 to 240,000 euros ($231,000 to 309,000).

It is one of the few cars that the King of Rock registered in his own name. Two years later, he gave it to his friend James Leroy Robertson. It then ended up at Robertson Motors in Memphis which again sold it in 2005.

Elvis was known for his hobby of driving pink Cadillacs and other rare and exotic vehicles.

The Mercedes 600 was the top of the range in its time, featuring an overhead camshaft fuel-injected 6.3-litre V8 engine and self-levelling air suspension with variable ride control. Several stars at the time including Liz Taylor and John Lennon owned a 600.

Bonhams specialises in rare and special cars. Also featuring in its year-end auction is a Ferrari 550 GTZ. It is the only righthand drive example of one of only five cars bodied by the famous Italian coach builder Zagato.