Michael Jackson's Mercedes-Benz for sale
19.11.2009 - Vijay Pattni
(10)
A Mercedes-Benz 500SEL previously owned by Michael Jackson has been put up for auction in New York. Michael Jackson, who died in June from cardiac arrest, was the first owner of the car.
According to auction house Julien's Auctions, Jackson purchased the Mercedes for "use at the Neverland estate" - a sprawling development in Southern California spanning 2,600 acres, which housed Jackson from the mid-1980s to 2005.
Darren Julien, President of Julien's Auctions, said: "What's even more significant is that we have photos of Michael driving the car. "When have you seen Michael Jackson driving a car? He was always chauffeured or driven."
Jackson later gifted his 500SEL to his aunt for her birthday, which she responded to by personalising the Merc's numberplate to read "TKS # MKL".
Jackson's 500 comes with a 5-litre V8 engine producing 302bhp together with a four-speed automatic gearbox.
The long-wheelbase model also features automatic temperature control, heated mirrors, outside temperature sensor, front and back heated, electrically powered black leather seats, a "premium" sound system, burr walnut trim and ABS.
The car will be auctioned at Julien's Auction's "Music Icons" lot on Saturday 21 November at the Hard Rock Café in New York, New York.
