1928 Mercedes-Benz 680 S Torpedo Roadster shown winning Best of Show at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
Chassis no. 35949

Showcasing the very best in decadent, stylish and pure-bred automobiles, RM Sotheby’s—the official auction house of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este—has already confirmed a terrific series of stylish and speed-orientated motor cars for the boutique evening sale. Highlighting the 50 automobiles, and 20 motorcycles, on the beautiful shores of Lake Como, is the 2012 Pebble Beach Best of Show-winning 1928 Mercedes-Benz 680S Torpedo Roadster by Carrosserie J. Saoutchik.

One of Sauotchik’s most incredible designs, only three Mercedes-Benz 680 S Torpedo Roadsters were constructed by the coachbuilder with a short-windshield design, and this is the only known surviving example. Shown at the 1929 New York Auto Salon, it was purchased by Frederick Henry Bedford Jr., the director of Standard Oil, and would remain in his family’s loving ownership for over seven and a half decades.

Purchased by Paul and Chris Andrews in 2008, the car was sent to Paul Russell and Company in April of 2010 where it received a full restoration over the course of the next two years, before being unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2012. Wowing both spectators and judges alike, the spectacular Saoutchik was awarded 100 points before going on to claim the coveted Best in Show title.

After it’s triumph at Pebble Beach, the Mercedes went on to earn numerous other accolades around the globe, including ‘Restoration of the Year’ at the 2012 International Historic Motoring Awards, First in Class at the 2013 Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza, and the Mercedes-Benz Star of Excellence at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance in 2014.

Presented today just as it was at the 1929 New York Auto Salon, the 680 S Torpedo Roadster is one of the most stunning automobiles to ever wear the three-pointed star of Mercedes-Benz and one of the most memorable concours starlets of the 21st century.