London -- A 1962 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Convertible, still owned by its original purchaser, a careful lady driver for the past 46 years, is a survivor of the military engagement that was part of the end of the British Empire.
This attractive car was ordered and purchased for a Mrs Youngman by her accountant husband whilst both were based in the port city of Aden on the Arabian Peninsula. The cost of the car at the time was 27,910 East African Shillings, the equivalent of £1,330 in its day. It is estimated to sell for £18,000 to £22,000 at Bonhams sale of collectors’ cars on July 11th at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
The original invoice is with the extensive file showing that Sunderji Kalidas Sons (Aden) Ltd. supplied the car on August 17, 1962. Extras specified were a non-standard paint – British Racing Green - at EAS250 (£12.00 ten shillings) and leather upholstery at EAS1,560 (£78.00)
Mrs. Youngman recalls that because of the turbulent times in Aden “the hood was rarely down and a hardtop was ordered as there were a number of grenades being thrown around towards the end.” The British presence in Aden was ended in 1967.
For security reasons she was advised to carry a weapon of some kind in the car and chose a Walther PPK (James Bond’s gun of choice) in the glovebox. Happily she never had to use it in anger. She also taught her 5 and 7 year-old children to play a game called: “Duck!” in which they dived for the cars footwells – a very tight squeeze even for small children. The game was never one that had to be done in earnest and the family flew out of Aden on a VC10, the last RAF aircraft to leave the colony.
James Knight, Bonhams International Managing Director Collectors' Motor Cars, comments: “As this period of history becomes more and more important, and better understood, it will be hard to find another 190SL with such an interesting provenance. SUU 547F can be used as is or - more likely - the subject of sympathetic restoration due to the remarkable life it has led.”
This car is the only one from the Aden based accountancy firm that managed to escape from the city as British troops withdrew. Indeed Mr and Mrs Youngman were one of the last expats out of Aden in 1967 when the civil unrest was at its peak. Once in the UK the car was registered and has been in use ever since - although more and more sparingly in recent years.
The Mercedes comes with an extensive file containing many past MOTs which is a document required in Britain for any car older than 3 years and still used on the roads. It is a check for roadworthiness and is only issued if any necessary mechanical work is carried out satisfactorily. The fact that this car has its MOT’s logged is an indication that has been used on the roads and its mileage has been noted.testifying to 10,000 miles over the past 30-years/150 miles since 2000. Present mileage is just over 71,000.
After the Suez Canal was built in Egypt the Canal Zone became a British base to protect it and Egypt itself became a protectorate, and Aden at the southern tip of Arabia was a fueling point for steam ships passing from Suez to India and a Naval base for patrolling the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. To protect Aden a protectorate was declared over the surrounding area, which became the Aden Protectorate.
Some 41 years ago the British evacuation fleet steamed away from the abandoned colony of Aden ending over 130 years of imperial control. British political, military and diplomatic establishment in the late 1950s and early 1960s misjudged the strength of Arab nationalism, completing a colossal military base despite local hostility.
A mutiny by the British-trained Aden armed police in mid-1967 led to a massacre of British troops. As the British high command and London government hesitated, a controversial colonel named Colin Mitchell seized the initiative. He re-occupied Crater with his Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders - earning the nickname Mad Mitch - and in Fleet Street's judgment he restored British military honor.
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