A CLASSIC car will be restored to its former glory and auctioned off to raise money for a children’s charity.

Lancaster Mercedes-Benz is going to restore a 1983 Mercedes-Benz 500 SEC Coupe and raise funds for the Whizz-Kidz children’s charity.

Finished in silver with a pale blue leather interior, the 5-litre S-Class Coupe is MoT’d and in running order, but requires attention to its interior, bodywork and mechanics.

The car’s body restoration will be completed by the group’s approved body shop, while the mechanics will be overhauled by the technicians at Mercedes-Benz of Southend.

Simon Kempton, general manager of Mercedes-Benz Southend, said: “We’re all very excited about the project as it’s a great way of using our expertise and facilities to raise as much money as possible for Whizz-Kidz, plus we get to showcase exactly what we can do by bringing a classic, 32-year-old Mercedes- Benz up to show condition.

“Wewere looking for ‘something special’ for over three months and while we’re obviously in a good position to source cars, we really had to hunt hard and eventually unearthed the S-Class at auction.

“After more than 30 years it’s a little tired in places, but we could see beyond that and it was the originality and incredible history that sold it to us.

“We’re aiming for something quite special.

“With the car’s provenance and a professional restoration, it should appeal to classic car enthusiasts who are looking for a totally unique Mercedes-Benz and, with interest in these 1980s models spiralling, we’re certain that it will attract quite a lot of bidding activity and help us to raise our best ever, one-off donation for Whizz-Kidz.”

Once the work is completed, the S-Class will be sent to auction with the group hoping for a minimum of £5,000 going to Whizz-Kidz.

The money from the sale will help Whizz-Kidz to continue providing the estimated 70,000 disabled children in the UK who are waiting for a wheelchair with these and other mobility equipment they need.