The 5 Most Expensive Cars Owned By Wayne Newton – SlashGear

Mercedes’ SL roadster, internally dubbed the R107, was one of the longest-running body styles ever for the brand, ranging from 1971 to 1989. During that time period, it starred in countless films and television shows whenever a character needed to project a simultaneously affluent and sporty nature. But none of those plain vanilla SLs holds a candle to Wayne Newton’s 1981 380SL, which was completely customized by coachbuilder Niko Sokol out of Long Island, New York.

It’s unknown who originally commissioned the custom car, but Wayne Newton purchased it during the 1990s. Between all owners combined, the nautical-themed 380SL traveled less than 2,000 miles. Unlike the original R107, which featured a fabric convertible top and/or a removable hardtop, Newton’s 380SL sports a bespoke two-piece retractable hardtop, delivering the best of both worlds — the quiet of a hardtop, but one which stays with the vehicle at all times. Reportedly, the space requirements of the new top arrangement required relocating the spare tire to the outside of the car’s trunk lid. 

This wild Mercedes has a piano black paint job with gobs of genuine gold trim, including oversized Mercedes emblems, unique vintage-looking door handles, and accent trim inlaid with Egyptian hieroglyphics. The wheels are quintessentially 1980s gold mesh by BBS. Remarkably, the interior escaped with no modification whatsoever, as did the drivetrain. The 380SL sold at a Barrett-Jackson auction in 2021 for $84,700, which seems quite reasonable when you consider how much time, money, and effort went into the build, not to mention the celebrity provenance.