MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SLR '722' CHILDREN'S CAR

This Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR children’s car is a wonderful ‘half scale’ version of the beautiful roadster driven to overall victory in the 1955 Mille Miglia road race by Stirling Moss. It is equipped with a 45cc engine, coupled to a centrifugal clutch driving the rear wheels, which can power the car up to a top speed of 15 mph. Braking is by a single disc with a mechanical piston caliper.

It was constructed within the last 10 years in the UK, and is in pristine as-new condition. The vendor states that the mini 300 SLR should be suitable for most children aged between five and nine years old. Only a handful of such cars have been built, and this example is in as-new condition having never been delivered to a customer.

The chassis is a bespoke design fabricated in steel and powder-coated, while the bodywork is composite glass-reinforced plastic. It rides on 12-inch steel wheels with pneumatic tyres. Its silver paintwork and red number livery is a faithful recreation of Moss’s race-winning car, co-driven by Denis Jenkinson, with ‘722’ referring to 7.22am - their start time for the event. The bonnet and boot lid are both functional, and there are even working headlights.

Its interior is a superb miniature recreation of the original, with hand-stitched dark blue leather and genuine tartan cloth panels on the seats. There is grey carpeting along the centre of the floor, and diamond-quilted leather panels at the edges. A four-spoke wood-rimmed steering wheel is currently fitted, though an additional solid polished aluminium wheel also comes with the car. There is plastic aero screen, as well as a metal dashboard with dummy instrument dials.

This Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR children’s car is a wonderful collector’s item in its own right, and would make a charming ‘centrepiece’ in any garage full of classic vehicles. Of course, it is also surely the ultimate gift for the junior classic racing fan, as a faithful ‘half scale’ recreation of one of the most famous historic sports cars in the world. Presented in as-new condition, it can also be personalised with another name on the headrest fairing, and with a bespoke number plate to suit the buyer. If you’re still looking for an unforgettable Christmas present for a loved one, then this is an unmissable opportunity!

Please note: in the event of a successful auction, the vendor has also committed to include free delivery to anywhere in mainland UK by Christmas Eve.