Description
Imperial War Museum Duxford, Cambridgeshire 16000 - 18000 Registration No: LK56 GSU Chassis No: WME01MC012H092774 MOT: April 2024 No. 1176 of only 2, 000 examples manufactured Less than 10, 000 recorded kilometres A skateboard for grown-ups, packaged by Mercedes for Smart, with a 70bhp Brabus-tuned 599cc 3-cylinder engine Highly collectable and a whole load of fun! Promoted by Robbie Williams, the semi-automatic Smart Crossblade was originally an entirely waterproof concept car. Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2001 as a concept vehicle, created under the mantra of "less is more". Its small size and surprising power output moved it along in traffic, due in part to the fact that the car weighed a mere 1, 600 pounds, thus making it rather nippy. Its introduction created such hysteria that Smart built a limited run of 2, 000 individually numbered cars. Described as "an open leisure car uncompromisingly designed for blue skies and high spirits", the concept had no roof, doors, or windscreen and it was more like a beach buggy. The clever packaging came from Mercedes-Benz, who designed the car for the Swiss Swatch Company and also supplied the base engines, which have been tweaked by Brabus to produce 70hp. Priced at ?21, 000, the car sold out quickly after it was introduced in June 2002. Those of us sufficiently ancient to remember the time when the 'young and beautiful' cruised up and down Carnaby Street in a Beach Buggy on a Saturday Morning in the late sixties, will see this as its natural successor. In order to be road legal in the UK, the Crossblade had to go beyond the norm to meet the stringent safety standards required, and with its reinforced steel shell, surprisingly scores higher safety points than the VW Polo. This example, a rust-free and very good condition example, originally supplied to Spain, was manufactured new in 2003. Residing in the sunnier climate until 2006, when it was imported to the United Kingdom. Having covered less than 10, 000 kilometres from new, equating to c. 6, 200 miles, the low mileage Smart is number 1176 of the 2, 000 examples manufactured. The Brabus-tuned 599cc, three-cylinder engine in the rear is allied to a six-speed semi-automatic transmission. Typically presented in the attractive colour combination of Black with a Red interior, the futuristic, quirky design and unique limited edition, already has an international owners club on Facebook, and is likely to be a fast-appreciating classic. This is a rare opportunity to obtain one of just 2, 000 Crossblades and would be perfect for summer's day's transport, fun trips to the beach, or an addition to a collection. Not one to be missed!
