Classic Mercedes models

The UK's biggest ever car auction will see 74 of Mercedes-Benz's most important models from the past century - and is set to fetch £20million.

The 'Ultimate Mercedes-Benz Collection' includes limousines, sports cars, convertibles and even an ambulance.

The enormous fleet has been put together by an ‘anonymous European collector’ who has put the entire collection up for auction in London next weekend.

Super car: A 1954 Mercedes 300S Coupe worth £350,000 is included in the giant auction

Rolling in it: The most valuable out of the 74 cars are the two Mercedes 540K Cabrio A from 1938, expected to fetch up to £2.5million each

Big spend: The 1905 Mercedes-Simplex 60 HP Speedster Tribute is expected to fest over £300,000 next weekend

Headlining the auction are his two 1938 Mercedes 540K Cabrios which should sell for between £1.3 and £2.5 million each.

The 540K is regarded as one of the most sought-after German cars, representing the pinnacle of pre-war automotive engineering.

A 1905 Mercedes Simplex which was a 60bhp luxury vehicle capable of an impressive 68mph at the time is the oldest car available.

There are also three of the company's iconic 300 SLs, including a 1956 Gullwing which should fetch £900,000.

Old school: A replica of the world's first car - the 1886 Benz Patent Motorwagen - should sell for £55,000

The anonymous seller is getting rid of all of his cars, including a £900,000 Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing

Classic cars: A Cabriolet worth around £400,000 help make up the £20million collection

An 81-year-old Mercedes 370S is expected to sell for £1.2 million while a 1936 500K Cabrio should fetch £900,000.

There is even an old ambulance, with 1952 emergency vehicle offered with a guide price of £50,000 to £70,000.

A replica of the world's first car - the 1886 Benz Patent Motorwagen - should sell for £55,000.

The incredible collection will be going under the hammer as part of RM Auctions' Battersea sale on September 8.

It is expected the 74-strong fleet of Mercedes should net the owner a staggering £19 million.

Peter Wallman, car specialist at RM Auctions, said: ‘As with all collections of this size, there is a car to suit everyone - pre-war, post-war, open or closed, two door, four door, supercharged, normally aspirated, large cars, or small cars.

All models must go: A Mercedes-Benz 300 SE Cabriolet from 1963 is expected to sell for at least £60,000 at the London auction

So fly: The 'anonymous European collector' will also be selling his 1956 Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing worth £900,000

Call for help: As well as the sports cars and cabriolets, the collector wants to rid himself of a 1952 Mercedes 170 S-V Ambulance 

‘The Ultimate Mercedes Collection includes a variety of rare and fun models, including a very sweet 170V Roadster, a beautifully presented 1952 170DA Pickup, and an interesting 170 SV Ambulance.

‘To round things off, no Mercedes collection would be complete without the evergreen and hugely popular 190SL, whether the 230 Pagoda models or the luxurious and advanced 1966 600 Limousine.’

The overall sale could be the most valuable car auction to ever take place in Europe.

On top of the £19 million Mercedes collection, there is a £17 million haul of sports cars owned by Lord Laidlaw alongside Ferraris, Rolls-Royces and James Bond's submarine car.

In total, sales could top £40 million - beating the £36 million achieved by Bonhams at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this year.