Willy Michiels Car Collection Auction: Rare Mercedes 300 SL Leads Bids
More than 100 cars and motorcycles from the private collection of Belgian businessman and former mayor Willy Michiels are now up for auction in Aalst.
The collection, known as the Willy Michiels Collection, includes vehicles from 28 brands and nearly 100 years of automotive history. It ranges from classic cars and luxury limousines to modern sports cars.
The star of the auction is a 1962 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster. The rare classic has already reached a bid of 710,000 euros. Michiels added the car to his collection in 2019.
Another valuable car is a 2018 Mercedes-Maybach G 650 Landaulet. Michiels bought the V12 SUV for 1.2 million euros at a Belgian auction in 2017. Only 99 were made worldwide. The current bid is 280,000 euros.
Other high-value cars include a 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster, currently at 185,000 euros, and a Porsche 911 Turbo with a current bid of 110,000 euros.
The auction also includes some much cheaper vehicles. A 1964 Jaguar S-Type currently has a bid of just 10 euros, although its engine and drivetrain still need to be installed. A 1949 motorcycle is also at 10 euros, while a 1948 Chevrolet Stylemaster Sport Sedan and a 1984 Cadillac Fleetwood Limousine are each at 20 euros.
Even a small golf cart has attracted attention. A 1997 Ransomes Sprinter Club Car, estimated to be worth 500 to 800 euros, has already received a bid of 1,050 euros.
The collection belonged to Willy Michiels, who died in 2020 at the age of 82. He was known for building a large business empire around jukeboxes, bingo and Napoleon Games, as well as for his passion for collecting vehicles.
People can view the collection in Aalst this weekend before the online auction ends. RM Sotheby’s will open the doors at Affligemdreef 195 on Saturday, September 12, and Sunday, September 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors must register in advance as bidders.
The online auction will close on Tuesday, September 15, starting at 6 p.m. Most vehicles have no minimum price, but buyers should be aware that many of the cars have been sitting in the private collection for years and may require significant maintenance before they can return to the road.
