H65600

w100 — There, next to a Maybach, was a 600 with Norwegian Telemark signs.

Between the public entrance and the workshop gate in Mercedes-Benz World outside London stand two former prestige cars apparently left to their own fate. One is a Maybach 57, the other a Mercedes-Benz 600 (W100) with Norwegian plates. It has been dropped on the suspension and the rear side window on the right is sealed with plastic, probably after vandalism.

- How did it end up here?

The only Mercedes-Benz 600 with Norwegian roots, is former circus director Arnardo's gold-coloured 600? Should there have been a 600 in original condition hidden in Telemark's forests? It would be a shame if such a car ended up out of the country.

A quick search on vegvesen.no reveals that H-65600 was imported used in 2014 and sold again just before Christmas 2017, - that is, 3 months ago. The car looks great, complete in sheet metal and with an intact interior. The dark green beauty with white curtains may have belonged to an Arab sheikh or a royal in Switzerland. At least now it has been bought back by Daimler AG and transported to Brooklands outside London. I sincerely hope someone has a plan for it before it rots.

In the premises inside, I found a right-hand drive W100 - but no Maybach. I see similarities between the W100 and the Maybach. Although there is more than 30 years between them, I hope that one day they will be able to stand together inside the exhibition building. Perhaps in a separate corner for the world's most luxurious vehicle?

Maybach was never a success

I think the Germans misjudged their customers when they gave the brand its own identity. The cars became too anonymous, like a toned-down S-Class, or even worse, - like a copy made in China. Only one copy ended up in Norwegian hands. Tinius Nagell-Erichsen's Maybach became nationally known after the owner fired his driver after a minor accident. The whole thing ended up as a farce in the media which put neither the car nor the previous owner in a particularly good light.

Wondering if Nagell-Erichsen's Maybach is still in Norway?