A LeBron James-designed car is going up for auction, with proceeds going to charity
Proceeds from auctioning the Mercedes-Maybach S 680 luxury sedan will go toward the LeBron James Family Foundation. James will keep the "sister" car in his personal collection.
LeBron James has a new ride, but one lucky bidder could soon have a nearly identical version.
The 76ers star designed two custom Mercedes-Maybach S 680 luxury sedans, one of which will be auctioned in November to benefit the LeBron James Family Foundation and its work in his hometown of Akron, Ohio.
Gooding & Christie’s announced Wednesday that it will offer one of the vehicles at its Retromobile New York Auctions on Nov. 20 and 21 at the Javits Center in New York. Mercedes donated the vehicle to James’ foundation, which will receive the sale proceeds.
James will keep the “sister” car in his personal collection.
The custom Maybach features a 6.0-liter V-12 engine producing 621 horsepower, an exclusive light ivory exterior and a “stormy weather blue” leather interior with porcelain stitching.
James also incorporated his signature crown logo throughout the vehicle, including on the front fenders, headrests, dashboard, and floorboards. A custom Maybach badge features the crown, while the center console is inscribed with the geographic coordinates of Akron.
“The chance to design my own customized Mercedes-Maybach was something I never even dreamed of as a young kid growing up in Akron,” James said in a statement. “To now have the opportunity to uplift my community and the families we serve through this auction means everything to my Foundation.”
Proceeds will support the foundation’s I PROMISE Program, which provides educational resources and family support services to students in the Akron area.
The foundation opened the I PROMISE School in 2018 and has since expanded its initiatives to include housing assistance, job training, health services, and other resources.
James, 41, joined the Sixers this summer after spending the previous eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. The NBA’s all-time leading scorer is preparing for his 24th season, bringing another spotlight to Philadelphia as the Sixers pursue their first championship since the 1982-83 season.
The car will be available for public viewing during Retromobile New York from Nov. 19 through Nov. 21.
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