• Ordered new by Swedish industrialist Rudolf Lilljeqvist
• Commandeered for General (later Field Marshall) August von Mackensen in the First World War
• Returned to 'as new condition' by the factory in 1918 and delivered to Sweden in 1919
• Acquired by the current owners' father in 1969 and comprehensively restored to factory specification

This historically important and comprehensively documented Mercedes was ordered new by Swedish civil engineer and industrialist Rudolf Lilljeqvist, builder of Sweden's first hydroelectric power station and business partner of Alfred Nobel. One of the latter's two executors, Lilljeqvist was instrumental in setting up the Nobel Prize in accordance with Nobel's will, in the face of stern opposition from his heirs. Rudolf Lilljeqvist was immensely successful and one of the richest men in Sweden. In 1908 he purchased the huge Baldersnäs estate in Laxsjön, erecting new buildings and amassing an enviable art collection. The Swedish monarch once remarked: 'If I were not King of Sweden, I would like to be the owner of Baldersnäs.'

Commissioned from Daimler by wealthy Leipzig-born merchant, Emil Jellinek, the Mercedes took its name from Jellinek's eldest daughter. An advanced design by Wilhelm Maybach, that first Mercedes of 1901 marked the watershed between the era of the 'horseless carriage' and that of the modern motor car. Indeed, so successful was it that Daimler adopted the Mercedes name for its passenger cars in 1902. An entire range of cars of varying capacities and power outputs followed, all based on that revolutionary original. Shaft drive had been introduced on the 2.6-litre 15/20hp model of 1905 and this advanced feature would soon be adopted across the Mercedes range.

The car offered here retains the original's defining features but has shaft final drive (the first Mercedes was chain driven). Shaft drive had been introduced on the 2.6-litre 15/20hp model of 1905 and this advanced feature would soon be adopted across the Mercedes range, though the larger models continued with chain drive for a few more years. One of the last new models introduced before WWI, the 22/50hp was powered by a 5.7-litre four-cylinder sidevalve engine, which drove via a four-speed gearbox. The 22/50hp Mercedes was in production for a relatively short time and only four are known to exist, probably the best known being the limousine used by Kaiser Wilhelm II.

Oredered in 1914 via the Stockholm Mercedes agent, Lilljeqvist's original order stipulated that the car should have an extra 10cm of ground clearance and a raised exhaust to enable it to negotiate the rough terrain of his hunting estate in Belgium. He also specified that the track should be widened from 142cm to 154cm so that he could avoid running in the deep ruts left by horse-drawn vehicles. Other specially requested features included electric lighting and an exhaust flap with locking device. However the Mercedes was not delivered to Lilljeqvist after completion, having been commandeered by the German Army for service in WWI as the staff car of General August von Mackensen. Mackenson was later promoted to Field Marshal and ended the war as Lieutenant Governor of Romania.

On 29th May 1918 a second order was despatched from Sweden with the note that delivery should be 'immediately after the war'. Prior to despatch the car was returned to 'as new' condition by Mercedes. Documentation on file shows that two payments were made in January/February 1919 with a final payment on 27th March. On 8th April 1919 the completely refurbished car was shipped to Stockholm for final assembly by the local Mercedes agent. Lilljeqvist had ordered Continental tyres (then spelled with a 'K') but as Mercedes was unable to supply them it was agreed that alternatives would be sourced locally ('regional procurement'). The car was registered in Sweden on 14th June 1919. The original registration document (Besiktningsinstrument) is on file.

Lilljeqvist must have been especially fond of his Mercedes, which was driven only by his chauffeur, never modernised or given to his children and when its use became less practical, was safely stored in a barn. In 1969 the current owners' father, a successful engineer with a passion for early historic vehicles, came across the Mercedes while visiting Baldersnäs and was able to negotiate its purchase from Rudolf Lilljeqvist's grandson. The convertible top had been erected after the car was parked and, having seized in position, had to be unbolted before the car could be removed from the barn.

For many years the vendor ran the Mercedes just as he had found it, in original and un-restored condition, before the deterioration of perishable components – leather, wood and fabrics – made restoration a necessity. The fact that the car was complete, with nothing missing or broken, made the task relatively easy though necessarily very expensive. In the course of the rebuild the red topcoat was removed, revealing the wartime military grey paintwork beneath and a pale base coat beneath that. Duplicating the special textured leather upholstery proved difficult but eventually a suitable material was sourced. The original seven-seater open tourer coachwork and all the mechanical components were retained, and we are advised that no modifications have been made and the car corresponds exactly to factory specification. All removed parts that were renewed – leather trim, fabric soft-top, etc – have been retained and are included in the sale. Comprehensively restored, the car is worthy of closest inspection, and despite its great age (110 years old this year) has covered only some 50,000 kilometres from new. An historic Mercedes with a fascinating history and supporting files, this ultra-rare 22/50hp tourer is offered with sundry restoration invoices, a quantity of period photographs, and copies of its original documents including factory build sheets and Besiktningsinstrument.

Please note that this vehicle is from outside the UK. Our customs agents, CARS UK, will manage all post sale customs administration. A fee of £350+VAT will be charged on the buyer's invoice to administer both import or export customs movements. If the buyer also chooses to ship with CARS UK, this will be quoted separately. If this vehicle is to remain in the UK, it will be subject to Import VAT at the reduced rate of 5% on the hammer price. This vehicle will not be available for immediate collection after the sale and will only be released on completion of customs clearance formalities. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department.