Monceau Automobiles

What will (eventually) kill the classic car as we know it?

Swift — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 10:45:29 +0000

Mercedes classic cars with an electric powertrain

Classic cars — such as historic Mercedes-Benz models — represent the height of automotive engineering, design, and emotion. They are cultural icons that shaped generations. But as our world transitions toward sustainability, these beloved combustion-powered classics face a shifting reality. What threatens them is not a sudden ban, but a gradual transformation driven by environmental regulation, cultural expectations, and new mobility economics. At Monceau Automobiles, we believe these cars deserve to remain on the road — not just admired in museums. That’s why we are committed to giving them a second life through electric classic car conversion.

Environmental Pressure Will Change the Future of Classic Cars

Governments across Europe and beyond are tightening emissions rules to meet climate goals. Low-emission zones in major cities like London and Paris already restrict or surcharge older combustion vehicles. The European Union intends to phase out the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2035, reshaping fuel supply and infrastructure in the process.

As refueling becomes more difficult, the ability to enjoy a classic car freely — especially in urban areas — will continue to decline.

Social Acceptance Is Changing Faster Than Policy

Perhaps more influential than regulations is a cultural shift: it is simply becoming less socially acceptable to drive a high-polluting vehicle for leisure.

Younger generations value design and craftsmanship — but also environmental responsibility. When a classic car emits several times more CO₂ than modern vehicles, the love for heritage begins to conflict with values around sustainability. Sound, smoke, and fuel smell are no longer viewed purely as charm — but as impact.

Family heirlooms are rebuild for a clean future, while keeping the glamour and aura of past family members.

Rising Costs and Shrinking Expertise

Classic cars require:

Rare parts
Specialist craftsmanship
Skilled mechanical understanding

Mechanics trained on carburetors, vacuum systems, and analog engineering are retiring. Training is shifting toward electrification and software-based vehicles. As expertise becomes scarce, maintaining and restoring combustion classics will become more costly and less accessible.

Many classics will risk becoming static display pieces.

Electric Conversion: The Lifeline of Automotive Heritage

Here lies one of the opportunities — and the mission of Monceau Automobiles.
Electric conversions, also known as EV restomods, merge the emotional beauty of the past with clean, modern performance:

- Zero emissions, zero fuel restrictions
- Smooth and silent power delivery
- Improved reliability and lower maintenance
- Access to low-emission zones and future infrastructure

But at Monceau Automobiles, we hold a singular focus:
Preserving the legacy of Mercedes-Benz — by electrifying its future. We engineer our vehicles with respect for Stuttgart’s heritage, retaining original character, materials, and design details while integrating state-of-the-art electric drivetrains.

The soul remains.
The sensation evolves.
The experience continues.

The Classic Car Won’t Die — Its Usage Will Transform

The internal combustion era may fade, but classic cars don’t have to. Their presence on roads will become more selective, their usage more mindful, and ownership more preservation-focused or purely for use on race tracks around the world (driven on first-class e-fuels).

With electrification, they can:
Will grace our streets longer
Drive more places
Represent sustainability, not conflict
Continue inspiring future generations

Rather than extinction, the classic car is entering a new chapter — and Monceau Automobiles is proud to help write it.

Electric Mercedes-Benz Classics. Made for the Future.

Interested in electrifying your Mercedes-Benz classic or buying a completely restored Monceau eSL or eSE?

Get in touch to discover our bespoke conversion program or the pleasures of building your own individually styled electric classic car.

Ambassador’s Rally: Quiet Diplomacy

Swift — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 11:56:32 +0000

67 countries represented. Over 260 participants including Monceau Automobiles

The 4th edition of The Economic Diplomacy Day took place on Saturday, June 1st in a setting as exceptional as it is iconic: the Château de Lavaux-Sainte-Anne. Organized by the Consular Corps of the Province of Namur, this unique event in Belgium brings together ambassadors, entrepreneurs, and public and private decision-makers each year in a spirit of dialogue, exchange, and collaboration.

Monceau Automobiles made a striking impression at the Economic Diplomacy Day and Ambassador’s Rally, held on June 1st in the picturesque province of Namur. The event, organized by the Corps Consulaire de la Province de Namur, brought together diplomats, entrepreneurs, and private decision-makers for a day of networking and cultural exchange. Monceau joined this Ambassador Rally with co-driver Jean De Brabander, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Malta. Again we were the only electric classic to participate: is that the definition of Quiet Diplomacy?

67 countries represented. Over 260 participants including Monceau Automobiles

Monceau Automobiles participated with its innovative Monceau eSL, a fully electric conversion of the iconic Mercedes-Benz R107 SL roadster. This unique vehicle merges timeless automotive design with cutting-edge electric drivetrain technology, symbolizing a new era of sustainable luxury. Its presence in the Ambassador’s Rally — an 120-kilometer scenic drive through the lush Ardennes countryside — was a perfect showcase of how classic elegance can harmonize with the natural environment and zero-emission driving.

The rally itself offered participants a breathtaking route through the rolling hills and deep forests of the Ardennes, with notable stops around Durbuy, often described as the smallest city in the world. The drive weaved through medieval villages, historic castles, and panoramic viewpoints that underscored the beauty of southern Belgium in early summer. Against this verdant backdrop, the quiet hum of the Monceau eSL provided a striking contrast to traditional combustion engines, turning heads and drawing admiration at every stop.

Chinese Ambassador liked the eSL

One of the highlights of the day came when Roel Pollen, founder of Monceau Automobiles, had the opportunity to meet Chinese Ambassador to Belgium Fei Shengchao and his wife. During a lively exchange, Pollen introduced the Ambassador to the Monceau eSL and detailed the car’s restoration process, its electric transformation, and the philosophy behind the brand: preserving heritage while embracing a cleaner future.

“The Ambassador and his wife were genuinely intrigued by the eSL’s concept,” Pollen shared. “It sparked a broader conversation about the role of craftsmanship, innovation, and sustainability and how Monceau cars could be interesting for the Chinese market.”

Garden Party at Château de Lavaux-Sainte-Anne

The day concluded with a Garden Party at Château de Lavaux-Sainte-Anne, where diplomatic guests, business leaders, and vehicle enthusiasts mingled in a relaxed and elegant setting. Conversations flowed as freely as the champagne, centered on future partnerships, international cooperation, and innovations like the eSL that represent both nostalgia and progress.

With its participation in Economic Diplomacy Day, Monceau Automobiles once again demonstrated how the worlds of diplomacy, heritage, and green innovation can converge — not just in theory, but on the open road.

Chauffeur driven Rally cars

In the Ambassador’s Rally quite some Ambassadors are participating, hence the name! But the Monceau team never drove a rally competing against a half field of black chauffeur-driven limousines. Some even with the official country flag waving elegantly on the front fender of the ambassador’s ride. What a view!

Quiet Luxury on Four Wheels

Swift — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 11:12:36 +0000

How Monceau Automobiles Redefines Elegance

In a world where louder often seems better, a quiet revolution is taking place—one that doesn’t rely on flash or fanfare to make a statement. It’s called quiet luxury, and it’s reshaping the way we think about elegance, quality, and craftsmanship. At Monceau Automobiles, we don’t just believe in quiet luxury—we build it. By reengineering classic Mercedes-Benz vehicles into fully electric works of art, we offer a driving experience that is as refined and forward-thinking as it is timeless.

How Monceau Automobiles Redefines Elegance

Last but not least, environmental welfare is a hot topic these days and is one of the key reasons people are making the shift towards electric vehicles. However, in the complete production cycle of these vehicles produces a lot of CO2 is emitted as well. It has to be admitted that extracting precious materials for the battery is a CO2 intensive process as well, but over its lifetime, studies show that the electric vehicle indeed emits less CO2 than an ICE vehicle. Moreover, for our case, we save around 30% extra CO2 emissions because we entirely reuse the chassis of the original Mercedes! Combined with the fact that these classic cars were not built to drive very environmentally (NOx, SOx,…) , we really do make a difference in converting them to a greener counterpart!

In conclusion, the electric Mercedes was the perfect solution for what we wanted to do: building a care-free, iconic, spirited and clean car. Keeping the design, putting in the latest technology and optimizing the driving experience we believe we are making a perfect blend between old and new. We love driving and are already looking forward to our first test drive! Many challanges lie ahead, but we are motivated and eager to overcome them all!

How Monceau Automobiles Redefines Elegance

Embracing the Circular Economy: Luxury That Lasts

Modern luxury isn’t just about what you buy—it’s about how it’s made, what it conserves, and what it reimagines. At Monceau Automobiles, we’re proud to be part of the circular economy, breathing new life into extraordinary vehicles that deserve a second chapter.

Rather than discarding classic cars as relics, we upcycle them—retaining the soul of the original design while replacing aging, inefficient engines with clean, powerful electric drivetrains. It’s a process that preserves legacy and respects the resources already embedded in these vehicles.

Quiet Luxury Is the Future—And the Past, Reimagined

In many ways, driving a Monceau vehicle is like wearing the finest bespoke suit: it turns heads not because it demands attention, but because it exudes refinement from every angle. It’s luxury that doesn’t rely on noise, but on nuance. Our clients aren’t looking for the loudest engine or the flashiest badge—they’re looking for authenticity, substance, and craftsmanship. They want something rare and meaningful. That’s exactly what Monceau delivers.

Stepping up a notch: FIA E-Rallye

Swift — Tue, 28 May 2024 08:38:48 +0000

Monceau eSL to enter a professional rallye

Monceau already drove several classic car rallies mostly against petrol classics and youngtimers, most notably the MIB Rallye in Germany. But can our eSL compete against modern EVs in a more ‘gruesome’ regularity rallye? We found out in the Ardennes at the last weekend of May and participated in the FIA E-Rallye Ardennes Roads Edition 2024. The eSL had to work like a beast with the additional benefit of having tested 8.000 kilometers in just 800 kilometers of rally driving! Here you can read more about rallying in general and about our adventurous journey.

Monceau eSL to enter a professional rallye

The FIA E-Rallye is an electric car rally organized under the auspices of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). This event focuses on promoting sustainable mobility and the use of electric vehicles in motorsport. Unlike traditional rallies, the E-Rallye emphasizes energy efficiency, precision, and adherence to a strict time schedule rather than pure speed. Participants navigate through various stages with lots of regularity tests, which challenge their driving and navigation skills but also efficiency in energy consumption. The competition is open to production electric cars, highlighting the capabilities and performance of commercially available EVs. By showcasing the potential of electric mobility in a competitive environment, the FIA E-Rallye aims to raise awareness about environmental sustainability and accelerate the adoption of clean energy technologies in the automotive industry.

First electric classic car to enter the FIA E-Rallye

As mentioned the FIA E-Rallye is intended for commercially available production EVs and even limited in the regulation to cars that are newer than 2017. However the Belgian organiser of the E-Rallye Ardennes Road Trajectoire was willing to make an exception for Monceau Automobiles and let us enter this interesting rallye. Although our R107 eSL is from 1983, it’s electric drivtrain is forty years younger, good enough to challenge modern EVs. Our ‘rivals’ were ranging from Teslas to Porsche Taycans, but also a lot of Volkswagen ID models ranging from the ID3, ID4, ID7 and ID Buzz. Volkswagen ID is the main sponsor of the event and entered a lot of cars and teams. Besides VW also Bridgestone is title sponsor for this event with their eco-efficient and sustainable tire technology Enliten.

What is a regularity rallye?

A regularity rallye, also known as a time-speed-distance (TSD) rally, is a motorsport driving event where the focus is on accuracy rather than speed. Participants are given a detailed route with specific instructions on where to go and what speed to maintain. The goal is to drive the route and arrive at various checkpoints at precise times.

Here’s how it works:
Route Book Pilot and Co-pilot receive a route book with directions and speed targets one hour before your ideal start time.
Checkpoints: Along the route, there are known hidden checkpoints where the onboard Trippy meter records the exact time each car passes via GPS.
Timing: Drivers aim to reach these checkpoints exactly on time—not early or late.
Penalties: Points are deducted for arriving too early or too late.

The winner is the team that follows the instructions most accurately, maintaining the correct average speeds and arriving at the checkpoints as close to the target times as possible. The best teams are with tenth of seconds at each checkpoint.

The R/C107 has a history in rallye driving!

Mercedes-Benz made an impact in rallying with their 450 SLC 5.0 and 500 SLC models, particularly in the more gruesome rallies of 1979 and 1980. The 450 SLC 5.0 debuted in the late 1970s, featuring a lightweight aluminum hood and trunk lid, and a 5.0-liter V8 engine. It achieved notable success in the World Rally Championship (WRC), including a win at the 1979 Bandama Côte d’Ivoire Rally and Mercedes-Benz occupying the first four places. The 500 SLC continued this legacy with similar features, further enhancing Mercedes’ rallye credentials with again an impressive one-two at the 1980 Bandama. The R107 500 SL was also build and intended for rally use, emphasizing durability and power. However shortly before the 1981 WRC season Mercedes-Benz withdrew the SL and stopped rallying alltogether, focussing mainly on DTM. These rally models however showcased Mercedes-Benz’s engineering prowess, blending performance and reliability, and left a lasting mark on the rallying world during their era.

How did Team Monceau perform?

We decided to delegate a team of our own with our Managing Director Roel Pollen as Pilot and Mechanical Designer Nicolas Ollivier as Co-Pilot. From the get go this novice team set a challenge to first of all finish the rallye undamaged and secondly aiming for a classification in the middle part of the ranking. Maybe that’s a very low aim, but it was the first ever regularity rallye to be driven by Monceau, we did not have any professional equipment (navigated via a rally app on the iPhone, which is definitely too inaccurate to ever win) and the competition was very fierce. The frontrunners are seasoned rally drivers and navigation with tons of experience, that can drive within tenth of seconds at every checkpoint; After having driven our first rallye, we have to say that this is a very remarkable job!

The start and finish was in the beautiful small city of Durbuy. On Thursday the 23rd we arrived in the early afternoon, checked in and prepared our car for the rally. This means adding all the mandatory stickers on the car, installing all phone holders and pens, markers and other necessary tooling. Nicolas prepared very well and all the 18 Regularity Trails were already calculated and programmed in our app (we used the Rally Tripmeter App). To test our skills and drive a first RT, we did the Prologue towards the end of the afternoon. Not knowing that we should start at every full minute (0 seconds), we already had a time penalty of 34 seconds just after we started. Luckily we learned this in the prologue and not during the official rallye.

Day one of the rally started in the rain and was very demanding for our team and the car. The team was still learning while competing and also the communication between Dutch driver and French co-driver in English was not always spot-on. The car was put through its paces but had to endure some very bad roads, narrow muddy pathways and tricky corners and hairpin bends. A though day which we ended 29th of the 42 entries, not bad but we had our sight on a higher classification.

The second and last day started much more promising in terms of weather and already at 11 am we could fold down the softtop roof and enjoy some sunshine and the beautiful Ardenne nature. Both the navigating and communication was much better between our pilots on this second day and also the weather helped uplift the spirits. After another intense day, our team improved six positions and ended 23rd in the overall ranking. Not bad for the first ever E-Rally. And more importantly the eSL performed like a champ, mastering every challenge that was thrown at it. Making it the first ever electric classic car to finish an official FIA E-Rally!

And the winners are....

After two intense days of rallying, one team snatched away all the prices! Team number #30 with driver Michel Decremer and co-driver Jennifer Hugo was by far the strongest team and winning not only the overal regularity ranking but also the efficiency ranking. And because the team drove a Volkswagen ID3, they also won an entry ticket in the 2024 e-Rallye Monte-Carlo, an event where the Belgian duo will try to make it two after their victory in the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique earlier this year.

We should also mention the excellent sixth place of Dutch racing driver Beitske Visser, along with Arthur Kammerer in the Polestar 2. Winning the Energy Consumption ranking and a third place in the combined efficiency ranking.

We enjoyed our participation very much and would like to thank the organisation and team of Trajectoire for the opportunity to join and for the splendid organisation!

Rallye with an electric classic? Yes we can!

Swift — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 07:28:43 +0000

MIB Rallye 2023 in the electric classic eSL

In the past few months we have been on the road a lot with the Monceau eSL, from August till October we have participated at events, drove a rally, visited Mercedes-Benz in Sindelfingen and charged at the boulevard in Knokke during De Zoute Grand prix. In total more than 4.000 kilometers of electric classic motoring. Often we get the question whether it’s possible to do a classic car rallye or another oldtimer tour with an electric classic car. Well, the short answer is: Yes you can! Monceau Automobiles demonstrated that the proof of the pudding is in the eating and participated in the Mercedes-Fans.de MIB Rallye 2023. In total our team drove more than 600 kilometers in 48 hours and crossed the border between The Neteherlands and Germany several times.

Start at the Rhine village of Wesel

Around 50 teams made their way to the Lower Rhine on the last weekend of September to take part in the 8th MIB Rally! The meeting point on Friday evening was the 4-star Welcome Hotel in Wesel, right on the banks of the Rhine. The weather was truly a dream! Towards the afternoon, the teams rolled up with their sometimes unusual vehicles. As with the Mercedes Schöne Sterne Festival, everyone who drives a star is welcome at the MIB rally, regardless of the model series or year of manufacture. Vehicles from the smart, Setra or Maybach brands are also always very welcome. And also our electric classic was warmly welcomed by all the other participants, being the only electric vehicle that joined the ranks.

Impressive starting field

Monceau already participated in 2021 with the Magnitite Blue eSLC coupe in a splendid starting field. And once again this year, the range of models spanned many decades. The SL series were particularly well represented this year. From the Pagoda, R107 and R129 to the R230, there were numerous SLs. But GT, GTR, Black Series as well as 124s and 201s were also at the start. There were simply too many to list them all here. Perhaps a W111 Coupé, which is equipped with a 5.5-liter V8 engine and now produces a monstrous 360 hp, deserves special mention here. This vehicle was built by our collaegues from Mechatronik. Particularly striking and a real show this year was a Maybach 57 SC Coupé, built by Xenatec. There are probably not 10 examples of this rare conversion in the world. All the greater was the amazement of all! No one has ever seen this spectacular vehicle in the wild! This also applies to the eSL, which is also already a rarity and attracted attention whereever we went, especially while charging!

From Mercedes-Benz ASV to Waalwijk classics

After a relaxed get-together on Friday evening in the saloon of the Welcome Hotel, we set off early on Saturday morning! The first destination on the stage was Mercedes-Benz ASV in Eindhoven. Over the years, ASV has developed into the leading Mercedes-Benz dealer in the Netherlands. ASV opened its own showroom for the MIB rally teams and presented the service drive-in, which is probably unique in the Netherlands. In the rallye it was however used as a rally assignment rather than the service functionality.

Afterwards, the teams, who had to drive strictly according to a road book with route specifications, continued on to E&R Classics in Waalwijk. E&R Classics always has a huge selection of classic cars from a wide range of brands. The colorful range of the Dutch company captivated almost all teams and also the Monceau team. Unfortunately no electric classics to seen on one of the two exhibition floors.

Is charging an issue?

To be honest with an electric classic you have to prepare a rallye a bit more in terms of charging options than with a petrol car. Think of it a bit like travelling as in the old days, where you sometimes needed to look in your road book for petrol stations. However while rallying through Germany and the Netherlands, charging is available at a lot of places. We were able to charge next to the hotel in Wesel at 22 kW, we then charged again at ASV in Eindhoven and on the last day there were more than ten chargers available at Kalkar Wunderland. So no range anxiety for the Monceau Team!

Last day

The 3rd and final stage of the MIB rally started on Sunday morning in good shape. Once again, the teams crossed the German-Dutch border and arrived at Wunderland in Kalkar at lunchtime. By the way: there are always checkpoints on the routes where the participants have to complete certain tasks.

These can be driving tests, but also historical tests. Once they arrived in Kalkar, the final challenge and probably the toughest test awaited the participants. Here, the vehicles had to be maneuvered backwards through a slalom course in order to get into a parking space in the best possible time. The finish of the rally was spectacular and also a real show for the visitors to Wunderland.

Not empty handed!

At the end of that beautiful Sunday afternoon, we went back home with a fully charged battery and great memories. Driving together with a wonderful collective of Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts is a blessing. We made a lot of new friends, had interesting discussions about classic cars, electric cars and the future of classic motoring. And we even won a prize!

Thanks to the team of Mercedes-Fans for the splendid organisation again, we had a great time! Also thanks to the magnificent people we met during this weekend. We are looking forward to the next year, maybe joining the 9th MIB Rallye with our Monceau eSE W111 coupe in 2024!

eSL at Wheels at the Palace!

Swift — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 09:39:39 +0000

This exciting electric classic roadster combines timeless design with advanced electric drivetrain technology

Monceau Automobiles proudly announces the launch of the new Monceau eSL in the Netherlands. This exciting electric classic roadster, based on the iconic Mercedes-Benz R107 SL, combines timeless design with advanced electric drivetrain technology to offer a unique driving experience to car enthusiasts who aim to distinguish themselves sustainably. The Monceau eSL embodies the harmony between heritage and innovation. Respecting the original design of the Mercedes-Benz R107 SL, the Monceau Automobiles team has equipped the eSL with an advanced electric drivetrain that seamlessly integrates with the character of the classic roadster. This enables drivers to enjoy the charm of a classic car while benefiting from the advantages of emission-free electric driving through modern technology. Additionally, every Monceau electric classic is completely restored and fully personalized according to the customer’s desires. This eSL provides a perfect demonstration of this, featuring the original Inkarot metallic paint and a custom-made interior in an elegant leather/fabric combination. Everything is completed with the Monceau 16-inch aluminum wheels in a modern vintage look.

Monceau invites car enthusiasts, media, and stakeholders to come and view the Monceau eSL from Friday, September 1st, to Sunday, September 3rd during Wheels at the Palace at the beautiful estate of Palace Soestdijk. Monceau Automobiles will be located at booth number 42.

For more information, you can visit the official website of Wheels at the Palace: https://wheelsatthepalace.com

All Benzes of Palmen barn find

Swift — Sun, 28 May 2023 09:59:38 +0000

The same as the opening of Tutankhamun’s tomb

A full-on barn find is for car enthusiasts the same as the opening of Tutankhamun’s tomb. Earlier this year, the mother of all barn finds was uncovered in the Dutch town of Dordrecht. And this weekend, Monceau Automobiles was there to show you all the Mercedes-Benzes of the collection Palmen. And of course to scout for potential donor cars to convert into an electric classic car by Monceau, but that depends on our findings and the running auctions. Read the report below.

A bit of history

Before the discovery of this huge barn find, the complete collection was unknown to the world. The collection of cars belonged to a Dordrecht entrepreneur known as Mr. Palmen, who began amassing his impressive collection four decades ago. These vehicles were stored in two different halls and even in a church. However, due to personal circumstances and demetia, Palmen could not care for himself anymore, nor for his collection. Consequently, Gallery Aaldering recently acquired this remarkable assemblage, which is rumored to be one of the most extensive barn find collections globally.

How many cars are there?

Are you sitting down? Mr. Palmen enmassed a private collection of in total 230 classic and exotic cars! Often in such a large barn find, there are a lot of very regular cars and often very poor cars, but not in Mr. Palmen’s collection. Off course there are also some cars in a terrible condition (the ones for example that were stored outside) but about 80% is very presentable and often with no rust or very limited rust. Secondly the quality of the collection is mind blowing: a lot of special Italian cars from Alfa Romeo, Fiat to Lancia, from the last brand the gem of the collection was stored for decades: a Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider America from 1955 with an estimate up to 875.000 Euros. Also more high-end brands are present, a Ferrari 365 GT 2+2, a 400i, a Lamborghini Espada, ten Maseratis, two Iso Rivoltas and even a de Tomaso Deauville. Next to Italian beauties, the collection also houses Rolls Royces (notably two Camarque coupes), Jaguars, Alvis, Bristol, Jensen, AC Aceca and two Aston Martins. From France a lot of Facel Vega cars, a Matra Bonnet Djet, Simca and a very special Monica 560. A lot of American beauties, but it’s just too much to state here.

And now the Benzes of the collection!

Strangely enough Mr. Palmen was not very much into German cars, there is e.g. not a single Porsche in this vast collection, nor an Audi, Opel or something from more obscure or older brands like Borgward, Wartburg or Bitter. There are a couple of BMWs, an NSU ro80 and only two VWs. Except for Mercedes-Benz! If you don’t count the very beat-up Vito outside, there are eight Mercedes-Benz classics in the collection, so let us talk you through all of them from young to old:

Mercedes-Benz 280 SL R107 from 1979
Mercedes-Benz 280 SLC C107 from 1976
Mercedes-Benz 450 SL R107 US-spec from 1974 (estimated, no documents)
Mercedes-Benz 250 SE W111 coupe from 1965
Mercedes-Benz 300 SE W112 coupe from 1964
Mercedes-Benz 220 SE W180 Ponton coupe from 1960
Mercedes-Benz 220 A W187 convertible from 1955
Mercedes-Benz 300 S W188 convertible from 1953

Last one is the absolute highlight of the collection, as Mercedes-Benz (and even generally speaking) with a high (but ambitious) estimate of 550.000 Euros. The 220 A convertible is also a very unique creature with only 1.278 units produced between 1951 and 1955. This one being a late model in a beautiful two-tone livery. Not as unique and pricey as the previous two, but still very rare are the 220 SE Ponton coupe, the 300 SE W112 coupe and the French-first delivery 250 SE W111 coupe. All in a presentable condition, but still in need of restoration. Lastly the W107 models: two real barn finds are the 280 SLC and the 450 SL with flat tires and completely soot-covered, because of an earlier fire in a Corvette that eventually made the world aware of this collection. The US-spec 450 SL doesn’t have any paper work with it, but judging from the small side mirror, steering wheel and VIN-tag we estimate this to be a late 1974 model (MY 75). It had an electrical / engine bay fire of some sort in the past and would therefore be ideal for a rebuild into an electric classic car by Monceau Automobiles! The youngest car is the 280 SL which is an average restored vehicle with a very ugly after market steering wheel. Below are some photographs we took to show you the cars (except for the 280 SL).

Auction closes early June

The auction is in three parts and closes on the 5th, 6th and 7th of June, bidding is open as we speak. Since we are currently into the retrofitting and rebuild to electric classic car of Mercedes W111 and W107 cars, we have some interest in both the 450 SL and the 250 SE coupe, so who know? Mostly bidding goes through the roof as soon as a car is called a “barn find”, so let’s see if sanity prevails over madness!

Monceau at largest Mancave

Swift — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 08:34:42 +0000

The Gentleman’s Fair in Belgium for the man with a passion

From Thursday the 10th until Sunday the 13th of November Monceau Automobiles will be one of the exhibitors of the 6th Gentleman’s Fair in Waregem. The Gentleman’s Fair was the first, and still is, the only event in Belgium for the man with a passion, whether it be for travel, design, cars, motorbikes, fashion, games, accessories, boys’ toys, audio, video, art, health, technology, gastronomy, sports or watchmaking, for example. Over 100 exhibitors have a fun and surprising range of products and services on offer for men.

Of course women are also more than welcome to see all these exquisite luxury products in the Waregem Expo building. And this year a premiere with Monceau being the first electric classic car at the Fair ever.

Opening hours

Thursday 10/11/22 18:00 – 00:00
Friday 11/11/22 12:00 – 21:00
Saturday 12/11/22 12:00 – 21:00
Sunday 13/11/22 11:00 – 18:00
Hope to see you all in Waregem!

Meet us at TechnoClassica 2022

Swift — Tue, 22 Mar 2022 09:42:47 +0000

The largest and most prominent classic car venues in the world

The TechnoClassica is one of the largest and most prominent classic car venues in the world with more than 1200 exhibitors from over 30 countries. The total covers 120.000 m2 divided into 12 main halls, the Grugahalle and 4 open air areas displaying the best and most beautiful classic automotive art the world has to offer.

The exhibition starts at Wednesday the 23rd with a special Happy Preview Day and runs all the way to Sunday the 27th of March. Opening hours are from 9am to 6pm and Friday until 7pm. The Preview day is from 1 to 8pm.

Monceau Automobiles will be present is the most prominent and Mercedes-oriented Hall 1 presenting our beautiful electric Monceau eSLC and the comparible SL with V8 engine, so our visitors can see the huge transformation from petrol to electric technology.

Our stand can be found at the TechnoClassica Essen in Hall 1, Stand 130.

Visit us in Brussels or Essen!

Swift — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 09:42:51 +0000

Visit us to admire the Monceau eSLC at one of our stands.

During the classic car event season at the end of 2021, Monceau will be featured at two of the most interesting classic car events in central Europe: the Interclassics Brussels and the Motorshow Essen! In November and December you can come and visit us to admire the Monceau eSLC at one of our stands.

The sixth edition of InterClassics Brussels will highlight Jacky Ickx’s 75th birthday. This Belgian racing legend has built an impressive record of achievements as the six-time winner of the 24-hour Le Mans race, eight-time winner of Formula 1 Grand Prixs, five-time winner of the 1000-kilometre Spa Francorchamps, winner of the 1983 edition of the Paris-Dakar rally (in the Mercedes-Benz 280 GE!) and many more. In addition to this great theme, InterClassics Brussels will also feature the history of the British race car brand Elva, the predecessor of the current McLaren brand. Monceau Automobiles will bring their brand-new eSLC to Brussels and will be present in the main Hall 5 at Stand 5.300A.

As Europe’s leading event for exciting automobiles, the Essen Motor Show range of products includes sports cars, tuning & lifestyle, motorsport and classic cars. In the eight halls of automotive passion, you can find any car ranging from the fully tuned Fast ‘n Furious rockets to prestine unrestored classic beauties and motorsport legends. Motorshow Essen is one of the biggest car shows of Europe.

Monceau Automobiles will be present that Mercedes Fan World, an initiative of Mercedes-Fans.de / Men In Benz (MIB). They will highlight on their stand 15 extrodinary Mercedes cars, one of which is our beautiful electric Monceau eSLC. Mercedes Fan World can be found at the Motorshow Essen in Hall 3, Stand 3A15.