Bid book open — 3 cars accepting written bids Minneapolis, Minnesota (612) 377-0155
Collectible Mercedes-Benz · Private bid sales since 1982
Bid book No. 412–418
Next conference call · 7 August 2026

Where collectors connect and cars shine

Rare Mercedes-Benz, sold by telephone bid

Inspect the car, read the file, speak to the owner — then bid against three or four verified bidders on one call.

See the cars

Written bids close in 30 days

Inspect the car.
Call the owner.
Then bid.

Every car in this book comes with service records, an independent condition report, and the owner's phone number. Bids are verified through your bank. No room, no hammer, no theatre — just four qualified bidders on a final conference call.

See the cars How a bid sale works
44 Years of sales
8.4% Commission from
0 Reserve required

Current bid book

Cars for sale

Each sheet lists chassis, grade, and the bid standing. Apply on any car to receive the file and a written bid form.

Expert insights for every Mercedes-Benz enthusiast

The premier newsletter for car lovers

For over three decades the SL MARKET LETTER has been the newsletter for enthusiasts and collectors of Mercedes-Benz. Today slmarket.com continues that work as a source of trusted insight, expert guidance, and resources on the Mercedes-Benz SL and other collectible models.

Portrait

John R. Olson

From 1982 to 2017 John published the SL Market Letter and became a recognised authority on collectible Mercedes-Benz. His experience takes in vintage racing, concours d'elegance, and national judging, and he founded the M-100 Group for 6.3, 6.9, and 600 owners.

That work now extends to purchase evaluations, appraisals, and private bid sales of high-value cars — the 300SL, 280SE coupes and convertibles, the Pagoda SL and 190SL, and modern machines such as the SLR and SLS.

Contact John

For collectors and owners

Resources and services

Bid sales

Telephone bid sales for collectible Mercedes-Benz — a reliable, lower-cost alternative to auction, with verified bids and detailed condition reports.

See the cars

Books

The SL Resource Book and The SL Experience, 365 hardbound pages by John R. Olson. Autographed copies ship direct.

About the book

Custom springs

Progressive rate, sport, and custom springs for Mercedes-Benz from 1926 through 1992, manufactured exclusively for John R. Olson Inc.

Spring options and pricing

Consulting and appraisals

Purchase evaluations, appraisals, and decades of experience on buying, selling, and restoring collectibles — by telephone, with John.

Arrange a call

The telephone bid sale

Four steps, thirty days

The order matters — each stage qualifies the next.

Step 01

Get the file

Apply on a car and we send the condition report, service history, photographs, and a written bid form. Inspect it in person or send your own mechanic.

Step 02

Submit a written bid

Written bids are accepted for roughly thirty days. Your bank introduces you to us, which verifies the bid — no letter of credit, no deposit held.

Step 03

Join the final call

The top three or four bidders are invited onto one conference call. Bidding runs live by telephone until it stops. Everyone hears the same numbers.

Step 04

Settle and collect

Funds and title are exchanged directly with the owner. If the high bidder defaults, the car passes to the next qualified bid rather than back to market.

What it costs, what you get

Fees & terms

Schedule of charges
Commission (split equally, buyer and seller)8.4% – 12.4%
Implementation fee — sellers only$1,000
Buyer's premium beyond commission shareNone
Minimum sale price requiredNone
Withdrawal before the final callPermitted
Written bid period≈ 30 days
  • InspectionsLook the car over yourself, or send a mechanic. Test drives by appointment, weather and condition permitting.
  • TravelWe help arrange travel and lodging when you come to see a car.
  • Condition reportsWritten conservatively and independently. They describe the car — the value judgement stays with you.
  • Verified bidsEvery bid on the final call has been introduced by a bank. You are not bidding against a phantom.

From the correspondence file

Sellers and bidders

Sale · Wrecked Gullwing

Your method of qualifying bids was extremely effective.

K. B. Jefferts — Washington
Sale · 300SL Roadster

Your reputation and professionalism made a satisfactory result possible.

Ferrell G. Reed — California
Sale · Gullwing donated to Ohio State University

The winning bid was far beyond what we had hoped.

Donald D. Glower, Dean — Ohio State University
Bidder · 300SL Roadster

You did it with honesty and transparency.

Amir Almagor — Tel Aviv, Israel

Registration of interest

Apply to bid

Tell us which car and we send the full file the same day — condition report, service history, photographs, and the written bid form.

  • No obligationApplying registers your interest. A bid only stands once you return the signed form.
  • Bank introductionWe ask your bank to introduce you before the final call. Nothing is drawn or held.
  • Prefer the telephone? Call (612) 377-0155. John answers.
Form BB-1 · Written bid application 07 AUG 2026
Enter your name.
Enter a valid email address.
We need a number for the final call.
Choose which car you are bidding on.
Indicative only. Nothing binds until the form is signed.
Used to verify bids before the call.

Your details go to John R. Olson, Inc. only. Never sold, never listed.

For owners

Sell it from your own desk

Your car never leaves the garage. No transport, no entry fee, no reserve, no crowd. We write the condition report, take the written bids, verify them, and run the final call — you decide at every point, and you can withdraw before that call if the money isn't there.

Discuss a consignment (612) 377-0155
Recent results from the book
1963 300SE Cabriolet · Lot 409 $206,000

Reference

The SL Resource Book & The SL Experience

365 hardbound pages by John R. Olson, drawn from more than twenty years of the SL Market Letter, covering the most collectible Mercedes-Benz SL years from 1954 to 2002. Autographed copies ship from us directly.

Order a signed copy
  • Custom springsProgressive rate, sport, and custom sets for Mercedes-Benz from 1926 to 1992, made exclusively for John R. Olson Inc.
  • Appraisals & consultingPurchase evaluations and advice on buying, selling, and restoring — by telephone, with John.
  • ArchivesBack numbers of the SL Market Letter, updated monthly.