Incredible 1,000bhp one-off Merc for sale

Make no inference from the name, for this is not ‘low-tech', unless you count low-tech as being a 1,000bhp, lightweight aero-efficient carbon-fibre supercar capable of 0-60mph in 3.2 seconds from a twin-turbo Benz V8.

This week's classified pick is a bit of a special one, not least because there's only one available...in the world. Meet the Lotec Mercedes-Benz C1000: a one-off supercar built in the mid-90s with the aim of becoming the fastest production car on planet earth.

It was commissioned by a very wealthy businessman who hails from the United Arab Emirates, with the simple brief of wanting a privately-owned, unique piece of automobilia capable of embarrassing the next generation's hypercars. He contacted Mercedes-Benz with the question; Mercedes turned to sportscar manufacturer and Merc tuner Lotec for the answer. And following a $3.5 million investment from said Wealthy Man - equivalent to around £2.2m in today's money - the 1995 C1000 is the answer.

The ‘C' stands for carbon fibre, used extensively for the lightweight body, while underneath sat not an engine, but a miniaturized large hadron collider. It sported a Mercedes-Benz 5.6-litre V8, strapped with two Garrett turbochargers to produce a whopping 1,000bhp. That's 1,000bhp a full ten years before Bugatti rocked up and claimed it with the Veyron.

It's hooked up to a Hewland six-speed transmission driving the rear wheels, while inside - accessed via doors that open upwards - it's a bit... naff, actually. Sure, there are three-point harness and racing buckets and Jetsons-spec indulgences like an adjustable steering column, but it all looks a bit ropey. Plus, the driver and passenger are sat very close together. Drive with those familiar with your showering regime.

Still, it wasn't built for luxury, but bludgeoning, hairy speed. As such, and with a kerb weight of just 1080kg (less than a 1.5-litre Ford Fiesta), it could do 0-60mph in 3.2 seconds, and a claimed top speed of 268mph. It's being offered by RKMCCA's October 31 auction over in Charlotte, North Carolina, with an estimated sale price of over $1,300,000.

Oh, and you might want to have a closer look at this auction, because it's actually magnificent. There's James Hunt's 1977 McLaren F1 racer up for grabs, along with Mario Andretti's 1974 Indy car, a Mercedes Benz CLK GTR, a Local Motors Rally Fighter (we drove one, they're superb), and a fabulous 1978 Porsche 935. Plus a whole boat load of cool Americana too. Check it out.

Vijay Pattni

Click here for the listing

Click here for the auction