A Formula One car that was forgotten about in a warehouse for almost 30 years is expected to fetch around ã5m at auction.
The 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 was driven by five-time world champion Juan Manuel Fangio.
The German-made car contains many features which were innovative at the time, including a fuel-injected engine, lightweight chassis and improved brakes.
Racing historian Doug Nye said: The first time I saw this car I needed oxygen. It's landmark technology and it was driven by a landmark driver.
The car, unveiled by auction house Bonhams at its New Bond Street sale room, will be sold in its current condition with noticeable blemishes and dirt.
What's so special about it is that it has this wonderful, untouched patina, Mr Nye said.
Some people think it looks grotty - that's not the point - the really rare cars today are the unrestored ones.
Every car that's restored has lost a part of its history because it's been obliterated by repainting or by rebuilding. Nothing's been obliterated on this, it's just a beautiful survivor.
Bonhams chairman Robert Brooks said: This is my fifth decade in the business and it was the most exciting discovery that I've made.
Mr Brooks would not comment on where the car was found, but said he hoped the highest bidder would take it back to Germany to enable it to be driven again.
It's been stored in a warehouse and largely forgotten about for nearly 30 years, he said.
Before it went into storage it had been recently run and run well.
The car will be sold by Bonhams at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.
Source
If you had the money, would you buy it?
