In Austria, a 1999 Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor Estate was put up for auction; its first owner was three-time Formula 1 champion Niki Lauda. The estate with 260,000 km on the odometer was valued at only $5602-8962. The auction will take place on October 17. This is reported by Classic Driver.
Niki Lauda’s Mercedes-Benz C230 was found in a barn
The car was discovered on a farm in Lower Austria between St. Pölten and Vienna. Over 27 years of use and storage, the Mercedes-Benz C230’s condition has noticeably deteriorated. The auction house directly points to body issues and the car’s general wear.
Despite this, the Mercedes-Benz C230 remains driveable: according to the lot description, the car drives, brakes and steers. Equipment includes automatic climate control, xenon headlights and a rain sensor. The body is painted in Emerald Black metallic, and the interior is finished in Mushroom.
In 1999, importer Pappas took the estate directly from the factory. Niki Lauda registered the Mercedes-Benz C230 on September 23, 1999, at his home address in Vienna.
The interesting price of the Mercedes-Benz C230 starts at $5602
Niki Lauda used the Mercedes-Benz C230 for almost two years and deregistered it on August 9, 2001. After the famous racing driver, the car passed to three more owners.
The auction house Humer, Granner & Co GmbH estimates the estate at $5602-8962. The car will be offered as lot No. 101 at the auction in Salzburg on October 17, 2026.
Despite its unsatisfactory cosmetic condition, the organizers consider the car a candidate for restoration due to its confirmed provenance and connection with Niki Lauda.