A special piece of Hollywood history is now available for car collectors. A 1989 Mercedes-Benz 300TE wagon, once owned by the legendary Shirley Temple, is up for auction on Bring a Trailer.
At first glance, this 300TE might seem like an ordinary classic car, but its connection to one of the most famous child stars of all time makes it something truly special.
The History Behind the Car
The Mercedes-Benz 300TE belongs to the W124 family, which was introduced in 1985 as an executive car, known for its style, luxury, and practicality.
The wagon variant made it even more functional. By the late 1980s, Shirley Temple had retired from acting and was serving as the U.S. Ambassador to Czechoslovakia. During her time there, she purchased this very 1989 300TE to use during her stay.
She loved the car so much that when her tenure as ambassador ended in the mid-90s, she brought it back to the U.S. and kept it until her passing in 2014.
Condition and Features
The car remains in excellent condition with only 66,000 miles on the odometer. The selling dealer has done some minor repairs to ensure it’s in top shape, including fixing the lighting control unit, tailgate struts, and the shifter rod end bushings. The car features a light ivory paint job, tan lower cladding, and black bumper trim.
It also comes with special features like a fender-mounted diplomat flag, sunroof, headlight wipers, roof rails, and more.
Inside, the 300TE offers a luxurious experience with Creme beige cloth seats, wood trim, automatic climate control, and a Blaupunkt cassette stereo.
Under the hood, it runs on a 3.0-liter M103 inline-six engine producing 177 horsepower, paired with a four-speed automatic transmission.
A Collector’s Dream
Normally, W124 300TE models are some of the most affordable classic Mercedes-Benz cars, averaging around $7,000.
However, because this car was owned by Shirley Temple, its value is expected to be much higher. Its well-preserved condition and Hollywood connection make it a highly sought-after collector’s item.
Whoever wins the auction will not only get a beautifully maintained classic Mercedes but also a piece of history that once belonged to a beloved Hollywood icon.
