The debate probably still rages as to how many genuine Mercedes-Benz SSKLs were built in the 1930s. There have been many replicas over the years, some with more provenance than others, and the value of these cars has increased dramatically over the years. Bernie Ecclestone sold his SSKL replica, a conversion from an original SSK, at auction in 2007 for £1.045.000.
This car at Chelsea Auto Legends however is something else, it has no airs or graces, it's just an honest ‘bitza’ replica with precisely zero genuine parts. Despite of that it captured my imagination and was one of my favourite cars at the show.
The perfectionist would not be happy with it; the proportions aren’t quite right, it has a modern Jaguar engine, the giant downpipes are fake, and it has modern instruments. But what a wonderful (fake) patina and perfectly judged details; the rusty radiator surround, the battered suitcase, the brush painted bodywork, the string bound steering wheel, and the sign-written door spelling out “carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero” (which translates to something like "Seize the day, trusting little in the future").
It evoked the spirit of the genuine car and it looked like a true labour of love, that’s what kept the smile on my face.
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