Imagine spending nearly 20 years building the most extraordinary private Mercedes-Benz collection in Europe, and then selling every last car without a safety net. That is exactly what Austrian collector Hannes Daxecker has done. His entire 83-car lineup was scheduled to cross the block on November 7, 2026, through the Austrian auction house Humer, Granner & Co.

A group of classic Mercedes-Benz cars parked side by side in a garage, like a large private collection.

The collection goes by the name “Sammlung Sonderklasse,” and it is potentially worth a small fortune. Supercar Blondie took a look at the lineup and picked out the highlights.

Every Single Car Is Offered Without Reserve

The headline detail is the sale format. Literally every car in the collection, without exception, is offered without reserve. That means no minimum price protects the seller, and each car goes to the highest bidder on auction day.

The report says the seller clearly puts immense faith in these vehicles, and that the strategy is likely to pay off. Classic Mercedes-Benz models are still highly sought after by collectors, and bidding momentum is expected whether or not there is a reserve.

It All Started With One 280 SE Sedan

Daxecker’s collection began nearly 20 years ago with a single 280 SE sedan. Over time, his focus turned to flagship S-Class models. The name comes from Sonderklasse, which is German for special class, and he concentrated on cars from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.

The list includes a 1968 300 SEL, a 1964 300 SE long-wheelbase, a 1976 Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.9 (W116) and a 1975 450 SEL. It also includes 25 different W126 sedans, which is a number that stops you in your tracks.

A 1933 Roadster, A 1938 Cabriolet And A 2004 Maybach 62 Limousine

The core of the collection is late 20th-century saloons, but there are notable outliers. Rare pre-war classics include a 1933 Mercedes-Benz 170 Sport-Roadster and an imposing 1938 320 N Cabriolet A.

There is also a modern hero, a 2004 Maybach 62 limousine. It shows how wide his taste ran, from pre-war open cars to a limousine from the Maybach revival era.

25 W126 Sedans Under One Roof

The W126 is the S-Class generation that Mercedes sold through the 1980s, and it is a favorite among fans of tall, solid, understated luxury saloons. Owning one is a pleasure. Owning 25 different ones is a statement about how deeply a collector can commit to a single idea.

That depth is part of what makes the collection unusual. Most private collections gather a little of everything, a sports car here, a convertible there. This one stayed focused on the flagship sedan, which is why the sale reads like a museum of one model line.

The Surprise Is The Color Palette

Generally, collectors prioritize engine performance, original condition and documented provenance. Occasionally, though, a collector focuses on something more understated, like color.

The report says the palette across this collection stands out. There is a noticeable absence of bright, vivid colors and an equally obvious focus on understated tones, including several shades of gray, forest green and beige. Bright red or light blue examples are rare exceptions across the 83-car fleet.

The Estimates: From $27,000 To $1.3 Million

Heavy hitters like the rare 1959 300 SL Roadster, the 1968 “Wilfert” 300 SE 6.3 prototype and the 600 Pullman are expected to drive up the final numbers. An educated estimate in the report suggests the complete 83-vehicle collection could ultimately realize between $2.5 million and $4.5 million.

Here are some of the individual estimates listed in the report.

  • 1933 170 Sport-Roadster W15: $65,000 to $100,000
  • 1938 320 N Cabriolet A W142: $160,000 to $340,000
  • 1952 300 b Cabriolet D W186: $75,000 to $120,000
  • 1959 300 SL Roadster W198 II: $870,000 to $1.3 million
  • 1964 300 SE Long-Wheelbase W112: $27,000 to $43,000
  • 1968 300 SE 6.3 “Wilfert” Prototype: $55,000 to $85,000
  • 1969 600 Pullman W100: $150,000 to $250,000
  • 1970 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet W111: $195,000 to $270,000
  • 1976 450 SEL 6.9 W116: $50,000 to $70,000
  • 1988 300 SL by Anton Ostermeier Gullwing Motorcars: $170,000 to $280,000

Notice how wide the spread is. A 1964 long-wheelbase 300 SE is estimated at under $50,000, while the 1959 300 SL Roadster could reach $1.3 million. A collector of modest means could take home a genuine Mercedes classic, while the deep-pocketed fight over the roadster.

What Everyday Buyers Can Learn From A No-Reserve Sale

Most of us will not leave with a 300 SL, but a sale like this teaches a few useful lessons.

  • Estimates are not promises. They are educated ranges, and a no-reserve sale can land below or above them.
  • Look at the lower end. The sedans estimated at under $100,000 are where first-time classic buyers often find a way in.
  • Read the car, not just the badge. Condition, originality and documented history still decide what a bidder pays.
  • Check the auction house terms. Buyer fees and payment rules vary, so read them before you register to bid.

After nearly two decades of collecting, Daxecker let all 83 cars go. The date of the sale was November 7, so the results are what collectors will be talking about next.

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