At the 2024 edition of the New York International Auto Show (running until April 7), spotlights and smartphones in the Celebrity Vehicles Exibit section will focus on some of the most beautiful cars of the past that belonged to great personalities from sports, entertainment and the jet set.
Above all, for the elegance and rarity of the car - but also for the beauty of the woman who drove it - stands out the 1958 Mercedes-Benz 220 S Cabriolet originally purchased by Prince Rainier III of Monaco as a gift to his wife, Princess Grace Kelly.
From 1957, the year of its debut, Mercedes built only 1,066 units of the cabriolet variant, equal to only 6.5% of the 220's production, also because they cost 75% more than the comparable sedan.
The car remained in the garages of the Ranieri Palace until 1965, when the wealthy Herr Schultz purchased this splendid convertible while he was visiting Monaco and had it shipped back to his home in Napa Valley, California.
Photo story The unchanged charm of the 1958 Mercedes 220 S Cabriolet - Photos - Ansa.it
The car remained in his ownership - with meticulous maintenance and few trips on the road - for 38 years.
This coveted Mercedes-Benz was subsequently given to Napa Valley attorney Matthew Clay Bishop (also a Napa Valley resident) who commissioned a comprehensive, high-quality restoration, completed in 2005.
Today, this 220 S Cabriolet graces an illustrious private collection, together with a series of great cars, classic and American, to reiterate the value of the Three-Pointed Star as a symbol of automotive excellence.
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