Later this week, a 1996 Mercedes-Benz S600 Lorinser that Michael Jordan drove at the pinnacle of his NBA career will be put on the market for auction. This sale is notable for more reasons than only the previous owner of the coupe as there is only a $23 selling price at the start.
The car will be placed for sale during this year’s National Sports Collectors Convention, which takes place from Wednesday, July 26, to Sunday, July 30, on the live-streaming purchasing portal Whatnot. The company’s smartphone app will be available on the very first day of the auction for anyone with an eye towards purchasing the car to enter its Whatnot Drop.
Michael Jordan’s 1996 Mercedes Benz S600 Lorinser is now for sale. It appeared in the 10-part documentary ‘The Last Dance’ And has been a part of Michael’s collection for years. The car is finished in green black metallic and features a custom exhaust. #MichaelJordan #S600 pic.twitter.com/F06CmeA1d3
— AM MEDIA (@ammediany) August 12, 2020
The press announcement states that a winner will be picked who may then execute the purchase for $23. Fans can enter the drop from anywhere, but those present will also have the opportunity to see the car up close. Whoever will have their name called is going to receive a great deal for their $23 dollars. In late 1995, Michael Jordan and his ex-wife Juanita Vanoy purchased a W140 S-Klasse coupe, which they kept up until 2003.
The car is painted metallic dark blue and has unique exterior modifications by Lorinser, including a wide-body package and 18-inch chrome monobloc wheels, as revealed in the seventh episode of The Last Dance. A car phone is located within the vehicle, and every time it has been turned on, the dashboard of the car flashes Jordan’s name. Due to the 6.0-liter V-12 that resides under its hood, the car also possesses some power.
Michael Jordan decided to retire from basketball in ‘The Last Dance’
Jerry Krause’s media tirade in the opening moments of episode seven was followed by the Chicago Bulls narrowly defeating the New Jersey Nets in overtime in Game One of their first-round series.
A flashback to that summer, following the Bulls’ first three-peat, focuses on the dreadful demise of Jordan’s father, James Jordan. The guide, role model, and best friend of Michael Jordan had vanished in late July after stopping for a quick nap during a long journey. He was shot in the chest, and it wasn’t until mid-August that his body was discovered. People wondered whether James Jordan’s murder had ties with Michael’s connections with gambling shenanigans.
“When his dad was murdered, all the articles and the speculation that came out, it was not journalism’s finest hour,” said Brian McIntyre, former NBA senior VP of PR. (h/t via Fan Sided)
MJ and his dad ❤️ #TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/KTNQE39Kpw
— ESPN (@espn) May 11, 2020
In a packed conference of journalists that functioned as a momentous, “Where were you when it happened?” sports moment, Jordan revealed his decision to withdraw from the game of basketball that summer. People could not comprehend why he was retiring at such a young age, which further increased rumors that Commissioner David Stern had secretly suspended him due to his gambling.
Despite the negative press, Jordan’s work ethic started to show, and being “one of the guys” helped him cope with his father’s passing. Francona thought that if he had persevered, he would have reached the majors.