Günther Wiesenthal was involved with Mercedes-Benz from the 1920s, and over the years he was involved with numerous dealerships both in his native Austria and across the pond in America. Though he sadly died in 1960, his family continued his legacy and grew the business he’d helmed with his protegee Georg Pappas.
It wasn’t until the 1970s when Wiesenthal’s daughter Susanne Sulke-Wiesenthal – then at the helm of what had become a global business – had the initiative to start a collection of special post-War Mercedes-Benzes, formed of both cars already in the family and new additions. The 13 cars presented by Dorotheum today represent a fabulous cross-section of the marque’s post-War activities and development, comprising such iconic models as the 600 Pullman (the ninth example built and the first in Austria, used as a presidential limousine), a 300 S, and 300SLs both in ‘Gullwing’ and Roadster guises, the drop-top latter of which was the 11th production example built. Some are beautifully restored while others are as original as the day they left the factory and have been in the Wiesenthal family as far back as 1959.
On 1 December in Vienna, Dorotheum will present the entire collection, and each car will be offered with no reserve – don’t be surprised to see some lots soaring well above their pre-sale estimates. You can find our 10 favourites listed below or, alternatively, you can explore the delights of each car by browsing the catalogue in the Classic Driver Market.
