A Mercedes Dealer's Story: The Rolls-Royce Sale After 9/11

The AMG E55 Wagon Opportunity

• 💡 Ken, a loyal Mercedes customer known for his collection of AMG cars, was offered the chance to be one of the first to order the new AMG E55 station wagon in 2004.
• 🎯 Ken's preference for blue cars extended to his Ferrari and all his AMGs, and he requested the E55 wagon be ordered in blue.
• 🚗 Ken continued to order blue AMG station wagons every two years until his passing in 2016.

The Rolls-Royce Dilemma Post-9/11

• 📌 Ken was immensely proud of his newly acquired Rolls-Royce Corniche convertible, especially in the Pacific Northwest where such cars were rare.
• 💔 Following the September 11th attacks, Ken felt devastated and unable to keep the luxurious car, needing to sell it.
• 🤝 Terry, his Mercedes dealer, agreed to help Ken sell the Rolls-Royce, despite not being in the business of selling them.

Navigating the Sale

• 📞 Initial calls to the local Rolls-Royce dealer revealed a hold on all purchases due to world conditions after 9/11.
• 🗺️ Terry and Ken began making calls across the country, starting on the East Coast and moving westward, seeking a buyer.
• 🔑 A single buyer emerged who controlled the purchasing for multiple Rolls-Royce dealerships across the United States.

The Resolution and Donation

• 💰 The buyer agreed to purchase the Rolls-Royce at a set price, and Ken insisted on a wire transfer for the transaction.
• 💖 Ken donated all proceeds from the sale of the Rolls-Royce to the policemen and firemen in New York as a gesture of support after the disaster.
• ✅ The story highlights Ken's profound emotional response to the 9/11 tragedy and his desire to divest from luxury during a time of national crisis.