A Story of Survival
By Darrel Burnett, Executive Director – The Automobile Gallery and Event Center
For many readers the car show season is fading faster than a September tan and any sunny day is an open invitation to steal one last ride before the curtain comes down.
October was still peering over our shoulders when a serenity shade of blue sky presided over a perfect 77-degree day this past Saturday, a beauty that was only eclipsed by a stunning roster of nearly 200 German vehicles spanning more than 80 years at AUTOberfest 2024.
Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to savor how amazing it was to be in the presence of the finest and most historic German vehicles from across the Midwest — especially those fitting into a very exclusive category reserved for survivors.
True survivors wear their scars like beauty marks sans restoration, repaints or even body Botox. I marvel at how survivors actually survive. Is it destiny? Was it in their DNA? Or was it simply luck that allowed them to beat all odds when their contemporaries rusted away, wound up in boneyards, or disappeared from the planet altogether?
At the top of this list, in fact most any list, is Randy Krup’s virtually flawless 1960 220SE Cabriolet, a 29,000-mile marvel that remains just as it was when it was hand-built by the artisans at Mercedes’ Sindelfingen factory 64 years ago.
Randy’s 220SE Cabriolet elevates automotive design to fine art with a profile that gracefully flows like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers across the silver screen.
Though the 220SE Cabriolet’s lifespan was just two years from 1959 – 1960, its impact is everlasting. Total production of just 1,112 ensured that the 220SE Cabriolet was an instant collectible and that hasn’t changed in the 7 decades since.
Only a handful of those original 1,112 are accounted for and you can count on one hand how many are untouched survivors like Mr. Krup’s black beauty.
Being a seasoned collector of exclusive automobiles, Randy sensed he had something very special when he purchased his 220SE Cabriolet in September 1997.
Nearly 30 years on he has no plans to part company. As perfect as the exterior may be, the opulent interior wrapped in red leather is a fashion show unto itself. Flawless Rosewood drapes the distinctive dash and Wilton wool carpet adds a rich feel to a regal ride rivaling Rolls-Royces and Bentleys of the same period.
Fewer and fewer survivors of this caliber exist, but don’t fret if you can’t find a classic in pristine original condition.
The “rust of the story” is pretty impressive in its own right. The global classic car restoration market is expected to balloon to $43.4 billion by the end of 2024. If you had any doubts about the future of that near and dear bundle of fun in your garage or driveway, that bit of news should go a long way in “restoring” your faith in classic cars!
