In September 1969 at the Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA), Mercedes displayed a futuristic study that was used to test Wankel engines, diesel engines, and turbochargers. There were only three versions built, with the third one C111-III being unveiled in 1977. It used a straight-5 turbo-Diesel engine that developed a total of 230 HP. The C111 hit 200 mph (322 km/h) at Nardò in 1978.

Do we need to continue or is the information we have provided sufficient enough to understood that this is a very rare car and some people will do anything to have it? If it is then we must move on to the crazy news we must reveal. A C111-III prototype being transported from the company's headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, to its museum in Brooklands, England, was reportedly the target of a robbery attempt when criminals tried to hijack the truck in which it was contained. As if the near-stolen experience wasn't enough, the vehicle suffered some damage to its front fender and gullwing doors.

This shows the idiocy involved in thievery. Where exactly did these thieves think they were going to go with such a rare car as the C111? Did they think no one would notice? Maybe that the robbery wouldn't be splattered across all automotive outlets? Stay in school, guys. Stay in school.

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