Registration No: T.B.A
Chassis No: WDB1240262B186071
MOT: August 2023

PLEASE NOTE: Due to delays with the DVLA over the removal of the private registration number, this vehicle cannot be driven away from the sale and there will be a delay in processing the keeper change until the private registration number removal has been completed by the DVLA.

• One private owner from new and offered directly from said owner's estate
• Just c.75,950 miles from new
• Registered new to a Royscot Southgate Ltd. of London before passing to the sole private owner in February 1991
• Accompanied by stamped service book with most recent service c.800 miles ago
• Offered from the late Robert Riding’s Estate, the vast majority of which has been left to charity with the RNLI as the predominant beneficiary

The W124 is a mid-sized vehicle platform with German high levels of engineering and build quality, allowing coverage of high mileage with well-renowned reliability. Much of the 124's engineering and many of its features were advanced automotive technology at its introduction, incorporating innovations that have been adopted throughout the industry. It had one of the lowest coefficients of drag (Cd) of any vehicle of the time due to its aerodynamic body, which included plastic moulding for the undercarriage to streamline airflow beneath the car, reducing fuel consumption and wind noise. It had a single windscreen wiper that had an eccentric mechanism at its base that extended the wiper's reach to the top corners of the windscreen. The station wagon came with a 'neighbour-friendly' rear door that was pulled in the shut position silently and automatically by a sensor-controlled servomotor.

Manufactured in 1990, this 260E was supplied new to the United Kingdom through Puttocks Mercedes-Benz of Guildford, being registered new on the 14^th of March that year and delivered to Royscot Southgate Ltd. of London. Finished in Midnight Blue paintwork with Mushroom leather interior upholstery, the Mercedes is fitted with the 2599cc straight-six engine allied to the four-speed automatic transmission. Entering the sole private ownership in February 1991, the 260E has remained with Robert Furniss Riding ever since and has covered some 75,950 miles from new at the time of consignment. Offered from the late Robert Riding’s Estate, at no reserve, the vast majority of which has been left to charity with the RNLI as the predominant beneficiary

Specified from new with electric sunroof, cruise control, outside temperature indicator, electric windows, paintwork preservation treatment, leather steering wheel and gearknob, and walnut wood trim amongst others, the 260E is offered with a history file that contains the original book pack comprising the owner’s manual; Alpine stereo, guarantee and service guides; price list and the stamped service book. Illustrated in the service book are twenty-four stamps with eighteen of those from Mercedes-Benz main dealerships. The most recent service was completed last year (around 800 miles ago). Also on file are the PDI check sheet, original sales literature, a handwritten log of the 260s journeys and mileages from new, two sets of keys, a no advisory MOT certificate until August 2023 and a current V5C document.

About Robert Furniss Riding:

Born in 1940, the only child of only children parents, Bob was educated at Stockport Grammar School then read natural sciences at Christ Church, Oxford. He joined William Deacon’s Bank, and had a stellar ascent through it and its subsequent iterations ending up as Group Treasurer of the Royal Bank of Scotland. He grasped the opportunity of early retirement in 1990 and moved to the Isle of Man where he had been left a house by an aunt. But Bob was far from being inactive, throwing himself into the local community and taking on the turnaround of a local private bank as its Executive Chairman.

Sailing had been a preoccupation during his time in the City, but on coming to the Isle of Man, Bob switched his energies and focus to collecting “quality cars” – principally the products of Cricklewood, Derby and Crewe, but with some maverick exceptions such as Maserati and Caterham. Daimlers and Lanchesters also featured, and he had to move to a large country house to find garaging for the ever-growing collection. His cars were regularly campaigned at rallies for the appropriate marque and were often deserved winners of various trophies. He also got involved in the relevant enthusiast clubs, usually ending up as Chairman – and his list of appointments included the Chairmanship of the Manx Classic Car Club and the Manx Motor Racing Club.

Bob was always a keen supporter of local charities, particularly maritime and those involving young people, and many will have cause to remember with gratitude his generosity and his apparently bottomless well of technical knowledge on “quality cars”, so freely shared. Bob left his Estate predominantly to Charity with the RNLI being the Residuary Beneficiary. Thus, in effect, the entire proceeds of the car collection sale will be received by the RNLI.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452