I may never have the chance to own one of these beautiful engineering marvels but thanks to Craig and Barrett Jackson I can enjoy seeing these works of beauty. As always Barrett Jackson gives the car community the greatest cars of our lifetime.
Goes to show even that ultra high end automobiles could suffer the indignity of being resprayed Resale Red. How stunning the Mayfair bodied MB 540K must've looked in its original livery of black over silver. Hope the next owner does the right thing.
I had the distinct honor and good fortune of being shown some of Don's private collection of cars not revealed to the public and for the most part, not known to even exist in car collecting circles around the world. Don truly owned and shared a collection of the most beautiful, unique, exceptional and relevant vehicles in the history of automobile manufacturing anywhere in the world.
Craig, The Rolls Royce Silver Wraith All-Weather Tourer, when driven around New York, in my estimation only, had to have a Paid Police Escort. An Automobile of this Caliber would have to be escorted. One Gorgeous Automobile. I had to share my opinion with all here. Thank you, Craig, for sharing this.
Several tremendous cars featured here and a tremendous venue there at Blackhawk. I was fortunate to briefly have a car there a few years ago and have also been fortunate to enjoy Westworld several years. Sort of sad to see the prewar coach built cars gradually waning in collectability--with some exceptions--but time marches on, and it's inevitable. Of course, BJ will make its money as cars are on the way up and on the way down. Thanks for sharing these amazing works of art with us!
"I'm going to take the car out and drive it a little bit..." YES! Cars are meant to be driven, even stunners like these. And can I live there this summer?
What a great collection. We are seeing a lot of high end collections being moved right now. Some are off to auction but a few are being passed down to heirs before the old guy passes away and it's pretty neat to be part of that process. Lots of tears get shed when we pick up and deliver some of these cars.
As a celebration of the history of Mercedes Benz Ken Baring and Don Williams did a special event by invitation private showing only of dozens of classic Mercedes Benzes at Blackhawk. I was invited to that pre public opening event. Purportedly it was the largest showing of 500 and 540 K cars since there creation. There were other significant pre WW II and post WWII vehicles there too, although my sole reason for attending was to see this glorious showing of 500/540 Spezial K automobiles. When looking at the English bodied 540 in this video I am of the opinion that this car is not sitting right. Most all of the cars of that genre [540/500] that I have seen in many different shows and venues, including at Blackhawk, sloped to the front not the back. The tire to fender reveal on the front fenders looks wrong, as does the dip at the back wherein there is little clearance between the rear lower valance and the ground. I am sure that those who were responsible for the restoration, maintenance and storage of this car are well qualified to present the car as close to it's original stance as was possible. But I can't help but think and see that the front end is too elevated and the rear is too low. Did this car have variable suspension like the 300 6.3,. 600 and 450 SEL 6.9? If so, that could be why it looks to be sagging, it was not fully adjusted when this picture was shot. All that being said, it is a breathtaking example of that 540K model.
I've spent some of my "peak years" in retirement as a docent at the Blackhawk Museum. The Mercedes and the red Packard roadster were there so often, they feel like family members. They are both exceptional. The video skips over the history of the Mercedes in terms of who ordered it and how it ended-up in England. England was not it's first destination as a rolling chassis. Keeping in mind the time period, in the last half of the 1930s, it's not too difficult to imagine the possibilities.
wow this is concerning...with all these cars being sold off blackhawk may never be the same. whats going on with blackhawk?, I hope all is well.so don williams death these cars now belong to perhaps his family now and they want to sell it all off and bye bye black hawk being the care takers for these, bit hit for blackhawk
The original 1979 Barrett Jackson bidder pass #1 was held by this man. Rest in peace Don - I hope your cars go to a good home
🙏
Not surprising. Don was literally a founder of B-J.
I may never have the chance to own one of these beautiful engineering marvels but thanks to Craig and Barrett Jackson I can enjoy seeing these works of beauty. As always Barrett Jackson gives the car community the greatest cars of our lifetime.
I hope you get at least one of these type of cars, hopefully more. 😊
Goes to show even that ultra high end automobiles could suffer the indignity of being resprayed Resale Red. How stunning the Mayfair bodied MB 540K must've looked in its original livery of black over silver. Hope the next owner does the right thing.
I couldn’t agree more John. That red is garish. Lacking in taste. A shame.
WOW! You read my mind! It must have been dreamy in the black over silver livery!
I had the distinct honor and good fortune of being shown some of Don's private collection of cars not revealed to the public and for the most part, not known to even exist in car collecting circles around the world. Don truly owned and shared a collection of the most beautiful, unique, exceptional and relevant vehicles in the history of automobile manufacturing anywhere in the world.
Wow, mobile artistry at its authentic...best.
Absolutely wonderful review. Thank you so very much.
That 1936 Bugatti Type 57 is just a brilliant car. Absolutely timeless presence. Spectacular. 😎
I knew Don and he was one of the greats, and a good guy as well. I have missed seeing him at Pebble.
Wowzers!!
❤❤❤❤❤ beautiful cars and they are worthy of preservation 🎉🎉🎉
The 1933 and 1938 Packard. Drool. 😎
Craig,
The Rolls Royce Silver Wraith All-Weather Tourer, when driven around New York, in my estimation only, had to have a Paid Police Escort. An Automobile of this Caliber would have to be escorted. One Gorgeous Automobile. I had to share my opinion with all here. Thank you, Craig, for sharing this.
Several tremendous cars featured here and a tremendous venue there at Blackhawk. I was fortunate to briefly have a car there a few years ago and have also been fortunate to enjoy Westworld several years. Sort of sad to see the prewar coach built cars gradually waning in collectability--with some exceptions--but time marches on, and it's inevitable. Of course, BJ will make its money as cars are on the way up and on the way down. Thanks for sharing these amazing works of art with us!
"I'm going to take the car out and drive it a little bit..."
YES! Cars are meant to be driven, even stunners like these. And can I live there this summer?
Really nice, Mostly Dream Cars of the past 👏🏼
SO special and magic cars,thanks a lot to designer for the great effort...🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
What a collection.
Not interested in owning but the chance to drive one would be an honor.
Beautiful, amazing cars.
Almost too good to be true
I love the 33 Packard Coupe/Roaster. Beautiful.
What a great collection. We are seeing a lot of high end collections being moved right now. Some are off to auction but a few are being passed down to heirs before the old guy passes away and it's pretty neat to be part of that process. Lots of tears get shed when we pick up and deliver some of these cars.
thats what luxury and craftmanship is all about rolling art not like the supercars of now Amen
As a celebration of the history of Mercedes Benz Ken Baring and Don Williams did a special event by invitation private showing only of dozens of classic Mercedes Benzes at Blackhawk. I was invited to that pre public opening event. Purportedly it was the largest showing of 500 and 540 K cars since there creation. There were other significant pre WW II and post WWII vehicles there too, although my sole reason for attending was to see this glorious showing of 500/540 Spezial K automobiles. When looking at the English bodied 540 in this video I am of the opinion that this car is not sitting right. Most all of the cars of that genre [540/500] that I have seen in many different shows and venues, including at Blackhawk, sloped to the front not the back. The tire to fender reveal on the front fenders looks wrong, as does the dip at the back wherein there is little clearance between the rear lower valance and the ground. I am sure that those who were responsible for the restoration, maintenance and storage of this car are well qualified to present the car as close to it's original stance as was possible. But I can't help but think and see that the front end is too elevated and the rear is too low. Did this car have variable suspension like the 300 6.3,. 600 and 450 SEL 6.9? If so, that could be why it looks to be sagging, it was not fully adjusted when this picture was shot. All that being said, it is a breathtaking example of that 540K model.
I've spent some of my "peak years" in retirement as a docent at the Blackhawk Museum. The Mercedes and the red Packard roadster were there so often, they feel like family members. They are both exceptional. The video skips over the history of the Mercedes in terms of who ordered it and how it ended-up in England. England was not it's first destination as a rolling chassis. Keeping in mind the time period, in the last half of the 1930s, it's not too difficult to imagine the possibilities.
❤👍
Thank you.
the one off coachwork on the 540k is gorgeous
Agree ! Absolutely sensational … Sheer magnificence 👌
Ill be there
Can't wait to see you there!
I love the red Packard ❣
Oops! Wrong Don Williams
havent seen any thing as these in my life nor my past ...
Both commentators have the same sounding voice. It's hard to tell who is speaking.
I hope Hoovie shows up.
Hoovie isn’t in that league
It would be nice to see much more of the interior detail. Less talking would also be nice.
I wonder how much they are?
They are going to auction. Highest bidder wins . . .
You’ll find out in January
The smart people see the future and are unloading cars now
🙂🥲👑
Wasn't the Mercedes 540K Hitlers car of choice?
I believe He used the larger M-B 770
Meh
wow this is concerning...with all these cars being sold off blackhawk may never be the same. whats going on with blackhawk?, I hope all is well.so don williams death these cars now belong to perhaps his family now and they want to sell it all off and bye bye black hawk being the care takers for these, bit hit for blackhawk
These vehicles are from the Don Williams Collection and filmed at Blackhawk.
I don't like fender skirts
It depends on the vehicle, IMHO.