A Collector Car Fit for a King
It is that time of year when automakers showcase their most exquisite vehicles at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California. Mercedes-Benz, one of the world’s most famous luxury brands, isn’t missing this year’s event, and one of its noteworthy displays is a near-identical twin of NBA superstar LeBron James’ personal Mercedes-Maybach S 680.
What makes this car special is not only that James was involved in the design process, but also that it will be auctioned later this year following its Pebble Beach appearance. The auction will benefit the LeBron James Family Foundation, which supports education, housing, healthcare, homeownership, job training, and financial literacy through its I PROMISE program.
More Personal Than a Jersey Number
James, who will join the Philadelphia 76ers beginning this upcoming season, designed his Mercedes-Maybach S 680 through the brand’s MANUFAKTUR Made to Measure program, a bespoke personalization service similar to Ferrari’s Tailor Made. The vehicle features an exclusive light ivory non-metallic exterior and a blue “Stormy Weather” Nappa leather interior with porcelain contrast stitching. Personal touches include the four-time NBA champion’s emblem in place of the traditional V12 badge and discreet engravings referencing his hometown of Akron, Ohio, and his family.
The Mercedes-Maybach S 680 – which received a facelift for the 2027 model year – uses a 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 producing 621 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission and a fully variable 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system.
The near-identical twin is part of Mercedes-Benz’s Future Classics Auction House at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, which explores which of today’s vehicles could become tomorrow’s collector icons. That is an interesting question, considering the German marque has created a long list of icons across its 140-year automotive legacy. Other featured cars include an AMG PureSpeed, an AMG G 63 Galactic Pearl, and an AMG ONE, a limited-production hypercar powered by a Formula 1-derived hybrid powertrain.
Then, Now, and Next
Additionally, Mercedes is previewing the new Mercedes-AMG GT SUV, rumored to be the brand’s flagship electric vehicle with more than 1,100 horsepower. The company is also displaying some of its most iconic cars, including the 300 SL Roadster, CLK 63 AMG Black Series, and the 1905 “American Mercedes” – the first Mercedes manufactured in the U.S.
The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is part of the wider Monterey Car Week, which runs through August 16.
2008 CLK 63 AMG Black Series
