Ex-French popstar’s Mercedes-Benz heads to auction

A Mercedes-Benz once owned by French pop star Claude Francois - who recorded the original version of ‘My Way’ - is heading to auction in September.

The Merc is one of eight cars from the personal collection of French businessmen and art collector Alain Dominique Perrin that will go under the hammer next month.

The 1977 Mercedes was once owned by French singer and composer, Claude Francois, whose song ‘Comme d'Habitude’ was recorded as 'My Way' by Frank Sinatra, although with different lyrics.

Francois actually survived an assassination attempt in the 1977 450 SEL after hooligans spotted his custom-painted navy blue 6.9-litre Merc and tried to shoot him.

The bullet holes in the car body and rear windscreen can be seen in the photo, which was taken shortly after the incident.

Collector Perrin was a close friend of the French popstar and Perrin’s wife, Marie-Therese Dehaeze , worked as Francois’ press officer before his death.

The Mercedes is for sale at Bonhams Chantilly sale, which takes place on 5 September. Other lots include a 1997 Aston Martin V8 Sportsman Shooting Brake (below) and the Maserati Boomerang concept car.