Bono’s Benz is no bull.
U2 singer Bono was the first owner of this 1980 Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL.
(Car & Classic)
A custom 1980 make 450 SEL once-owned by the U2 singer is being auctioned on July 18.
The silver, right-hand-drive sedan that Bono purchased to celebrate the success of U2’s first album looks subdued on the outside, but things are very different when you open it up.
(Car & Classic)
The four-door luxury car is equipped with an Alpine audio system befitting a rock star that includes multiple speakers in each door and several amps in the trunk that cost 12,000 British pounds, which is the equivalent of $65,000 today.
(Car & Classic)
The setup is so powerful (or sketchy) that a fire extinguisher was installed on the center console just in case it overheated. The listing cautions that it is currently suffering from a fault.
(Car & Classic)
But the car’s most eye-catching feature is the brown cowhide upholstery that covers the seats and several panels, which was definitely not a factory option.
(Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)
The auctioneer, Car & Classic, hasn’t confirmed that Bono was the one that ordered the unusual interior design, but it sure seems like something a rock star with a penchant for cowboy hats would do.
According to the Hagerty Price Guide, a car like this in perfect condition is worth around $28,000, but Bono’s has 163,000 miles on the odometer and was, well, owned by Bono, so there’s no telling what it might sell for.
