Worldwide Auctioneers confirms that ten percent of proceeds from the sale of the ex-Adolf Hitler 1939 Mercedes-Benz 770K Grosser Offener Tourenwagen will be donated to the Simon Wiesenthal Center

January 8, 2018

NEWS RELEASE

Media contacts:

Worldwide Auctioneers:
pr@worldwideauctioneers.com — 1.260.925.6789

Communications Department, Simon Wiesenthal Center:
malkin@wiesenthal.com — 1.310.553.9036


On January 17th in Arizona, Worldwide Auctioneers will present the most historically significant automobile ever offered for public sale at its annual Scottsdale Auction, when a 1939 Mercedes-Benz 770K Grosser Offener Tourenwagen goes under the hammer. One of just five surviving Offener Tourenwagens in private hands, this meticulously documented automobile was ordered by, built for and used by Adolf Hitler, tyrannical Chancellor of Nazi Germany and Führer of the Third Reich from 1933 to 1945. Ultimately seized by the U.S. Army in 1945, it is a definitive surviving symbol of Allied triumph over evil. The life of this “Super Mercedes” motorcar has been extensively chronicled in its accompanying documentation and across the media over the years, from its short but infamous service during the war through some seventy years beyond, where it was featured in several displays, parades and museums across the United States, and more recently within some of the world’s most significant and private collections. Having stated upon consignment that 10% of the sale price of the car would be donated to the furtherance of Holocaust education, Worldwide confirmed today that the Simon Wiesenthal Center will be the recipient of those charitable funds. The Center is an international Jewish human rights organization dedicated to fighting anti-Semitism and bigotry, preserving the memory and teaching the lessons of the Nazi Holocaust.

“Presenting such a historically momentous artifact for sale obviously comes with serious responsibilities,” said John Kruse, Worldwide Auctioneers’ Principal & Auctioneer. “After considerable thought and research, we, on behalf of the seller, are honored to confirm that 10% of proceeds generated from the sale of this significant automobile will be donated to the Simon Wiesenthal Center, for the furtherance of its mission to confront racism, anti-Semitism and hatred and its commitment to educating future generations. We believe that such lessons have enormous relevance today, both here in the U.S. and all around the globe.”

“Adolf Hitler would turn over in his grave if he knew that 10% of the sale of the car he once used to glorify Nazism was donated to the Simon Wiesenthal Center in order to eradicate it. It will strengthen our efforts to stand up to today's bigots and anti-Semites and to educate tomorrow's generations about the horrific crimes and evils committed by Hitler's Third Reich. On a daily basis, the Center is on the frontlines speaking out against haters and terrorists around the world. The Center’s Jerusalem office, which for more than forty years has tracked Nazi war criminals around the world, is currently assisting the German government in bringing to justice, new cases of members of the Nazi murder squads recently discovered living in Germany,” concluded Rabbi Hier.

Through the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s acclaimed Museum of Tolerance (MOT) in Los Angeles, more than 5.5 million visitors have been challenged to understand the Holocaust in both historic and contemporary contexts. The highlight of the Museum is meeting Holocaust Survivors who share their personal testimonies three times a day with visitors, students, educators and law enforcement professionals, and with people around the world via videoconference.

Unfortunately, in a few years, there will be no living Holocaust Survivors to speak in Museums. Consequently, through the Hope Lives Campaign, the MOT has begun videotaping their daily lectures so that future generations visiting the Museum will continue to be the beneficiaries of their eyewitness accounts.

The Wiesenthal Center's two-time Academy Award-winning documentary films on the Nazi Holocaust has been viewed by tens of millions of people around the world including on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and iTunes. It’s traveling exhibitions, such as, “The Courage to Remember” has been exhibited on six continents and continues to be seen by millions of people around the world from Cuba to Kenya.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is one of the largest international Jewish human rights organizations with over 400,000 member families in the United States. It is an NGO at international agencies including the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the OAS, the Council of Europe and the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino).

Worldwide Auctioneers is honored to be able, on behalf of the seller, to contribute to such an outstanding cause. Other parties interested in making a donation and learning more about the Center’s work and mission should contact Worldwide Auctioneers or the Simon Wiesenthal Center at 310.553.9036.
www.wiesenthal.com
http://www.facebook.com/simonwiesenthalcenter
http://twitter.com/simonwiesenthal

The Scottsdale Auction is scheduled for Wednesday January 17 at 5pm. Full details are available online at worldwideauctioneers.com or by calling 1.260.925.6789. Worldwide Auctioneers provides primary services to collectors of classic and vintage automobiles, including the acquisition and sale of classic motorcars at auction, appraisal, private treaty sales, collection management, estate planning and consultancy. Worldwide Auctioneers' resources and expertise also extend to the valuation and transfer of significant assets such as real estate, antiques, fine art and high quality collectibles. Along with the Scottsdale Auction, the company’s annual schedule comprises The Texas Classic Auction in Arlington in April, The Pacific Grove Auction, presented out on the Monterey Peninsula during Monterey Car Week in August and The Auburn Auction, held annually over Labor Day Weekend in Indiana, as well as stand-alone auctions of significant private collections.