The great proletarian Pullman - Bonhams to auction Mao minister's Mercedes

Among the nearly 40 cars at Bonhams’ Mercedes-Benz Sale is this 1965 600 Pullman, once owned by the former Chinese foreign minister Chen Yi, a close confidant of the Communist revolutionary, Mao Tse-tung…

Black Pullman, white suit

Aside from the obligatory 300 SLs, there’s another lot not to be missed at Bonhams’ Mercedes-Benz Sale. This 600 Pullman was purchased by the Chinese government in 1965 for the former leading general and then foreign minister, Chen Yi. While in office, Chen Yi preferred to travel to his external appointments dressed in a brilliant white suit. His extrovert nature couldn’t have been more suited to the great Pullman limousine, of which there were just 428 built. 

On Saturday, the 600 will go under the hammer at Bonhams' and Mercedes-Benz Classic’s collaborative sale, taking place at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany. Bonhams claims the car is in pristine condition and the estimate is from 150,000 to 250,000 euros. 

Photos: Bonhams