8/1972 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL W109 4d Sedan Silver/Blue 3.5L V8 UNDER OFFER

Immaculate S Class Mercedes Previously Owned By Prime Minister Paul Keating.

KEY FACTS

*INSPECTIONS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY, please contact John@allbids.com.au*

Arguably one of the greatest political figures in Australian history, a labour treasurer come Prime Minister, Paul Keating had a penchant for finery including French antiques and European cars highlighted by his ownership of this beautiful 1972 Mercedes.

The 300SEL was launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show and replaced the Fintail saloons as the company’s top of the line luxury model. Manufactured between 1968 and 1972, it was the first variant of the S-Class to be fitted with a 3.5 litre small block V8 which was an upgrade introduced in later models which drastically improved the vehicles performance. The V8 engine generating 197hp, sent to the back wheels by a 4-speed automatic transmission. 

It’s widely recognised as the beginning of the legendary Mercedes S-Class, a line of luxury vehicles which continues to this day. It was incredibly luxurious for its time with features including power windows, disc brakes, air suspension, power steering, central locking and of course air conditioning, a unique and luxury feature for the time intended to improve the experience for Australian drivers.

Just how our Prime Minister came to own this car has been told by the PM and his former driver and extremely close family friend, the late James (Jimmy) Warner of Queanbeyan…

The car caught the PMs attention whilst driving along an inner-city street of Melbourne with Jimmy in 1985. The PM urged Jimmy to pursue the car, eventually stopping the original owner (a Melbourne Doctor) whom he convinced to sell him the car.

The car was Keating’s personal vehicle whilst he served as treasurer and prime minster. Keating owned two cars during his political career, both Mercedes-Benz, the 300SEL 3.5 as well as a 1966 sports coupe. 

Jimmy who was a Queanbeyan native, became a Commonwealth car driver in 1969. In this role he chauffeured some of Canberra’s affluent politicians. In 1983 Warner was tasked with driving Keating to ­an event. At the end of this trip Warner opened the door for Keating to which he responded, “Don’t open the so and so door for me”. Warner, who was colloquially known as ‘Jimmy’ or ‘Chook’ was hired shortly thereafter as his personal driver. 

Jimmy was Keatings personal driver from 1983 until 1996 and this Mercedes was mostly used during his time as treasurer for Bob Hawke. The car was also used to drive Keating’s children to school, college, and extracurricular activities. Whilst treasurer, Keating was also likely to have been driven in this Mercedes to meetings, functions and perhaps cabinet. 

Keating noted his anticipation for seeing the car at the Fairbairn airbase. On returning from trips, Jimmy would drive his vehicle to the door of the VIP plane despite being repeatedly told by security at Fairbairn Airbase not to do so. 

After his prime ministership finished in 1996, Keating moved from the Lodge back to Sydney and as a gesture of his appreciation and close personal friendship, Keating gifted the Mercedes to Warner. He also paid for major services and a spray paint job. 

Jimmy owned the cherished car until he passed away in 2016. The car has been garaged and meticulously looked after by the Warner family since, but there comes a time and although a reluctant sale we are sure the new owner will love the car and its history.

Keating spoke at Warner’s eulogy in 2016. In his speech which highlighted Jimmy’s influence on the Queenbeyan community, Keating  referred to the car:

“I maintained an active relationship with him in the years after the Prime Ministership. He used to get around Queanbeyan in our silver blue Mercedes 300 SEL 3.5, with the number plate he had ordered for it: PK002.”

This anecdote demonstrates the nature of the pair’s relationship which was a spirited, enduring and jubilant friendship built upon years of working within the confines of a four-door sedan. 

• STANDARD FEATURES

  • Features listed as standard are quoted by the vehicle manufacturer at the time the vehicle was first offered for sale. The individual vehicle offered may be missing some of these features. Whilst ALLBIDS endeavours to ensure that what is quoted is correct, ALLBIDS takes no responsibility if a standard feature is quoted but is not included or working properly in the vehicle offered for auction.
    
    
    Air Conditioning
    Air Suspension
    Front And Rear Arm Rests
    Power Steering
    Power Sunroof
    Power Windows
    Vacuum Operated Central Locking

Mechanical inspections

We welcome any independent party to inspect motor vehicles on your behalf. This is highly recommended in the case you cannot see the car yourself.

The information is intended as a guide only and ALLBIDS gives no guarantee or warranty about the accuracy of the information contained within. You must ensure you have read, understood and agreed to the Terms and Conditions for Buying at Auction which include confirmation that vehicles are sold “as is, where is” with all faults (if any) and you must independently verify information which is important to your purchasing decision.

COMMENTS

SUBMIT COMMENT

Please sign in to send comments