On Monday, July 20, auction house Artcurial is putting up for sale a collection of 11 cars from the estate of a friend of the Callas family, including two limousines that belonged to the famous opera singer herself.

Offered without reserve, these two Mercedes-Benz 600 limousines, from 1966 and 1971, are estimated at between €60,000 and €100,000.

First presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1963, the Mercedes 600 aimed to break into the luxury market until then dominated by Rolls-Royce and Bentley.

The idea was also to seduce the stars of show business, as was the case with Maria Callas. The Mercedes 600 was celebrated for combining power (250hp), technology (a complex 150-bar (2,176 psi)) hydraulic pressure system powered the automobile’s windows, seats, sun-roof, trunk lid and automatically closing doors) and comfort (adjustable air suspension delivered excellent ride quality and sure handling over any road surface).

The “Succession d’un ami de Maria Callas” auction will take place on Monday, July 20, at 5pm in the salon Belle époque at the Hotel Hermitage in Monaco. For more info, go to artcurial.com.