Rock ’n’ roll: Go riding along in Bono’s automobile

IT’S 26 years old and shakes, rattles and rolls but if a rock star car is what you’re after, a motor up for auction this week will strike the right chord.

Bono’s old Mercedes is for sale on the internet auction site eBay with the promise that if bids go over €30,000, the extra will go to a good cause.

The car is a Mercedes 450 in metallic bronze, and while it looks rather demure from the outside, its distinctive, if not exactly tasteful, cowhide-patterned leather interior is testament to its rock-and-roll history.

Bono first donated the car for charity auction for aid to Ethiopia in 2000 and the successful bidder was the Pepsi Cola company. They passed it on in 2002 for a fundraiser hosted by ex-Boyzone and Coronation Street star Keith Duffy for autism charities.

On that occasion, it was bought by Cork-based businessman Stuart Matthews who forked out 32,000 for the privilege and has been proudly displaying it in his driveway at home ever since.

“It’s a great car with a great story attached,” said Stuart. “Bono bought it new in 1980 after U2’s first album was released and he had it all those years. He had it fitted out with a sound system that cost £10,000 at the time and it’s still a brilliant sound system. The car phone he put in is still there too.”

Even better for fans who want to feel they’ve been part of the world’s biggest rock band, Bono is still the registered owner, although that doesn’t mean he plans on paying speeding fines for any reckless new owners.

“I often wondered what would happen if I was stopped by the guards and they realised I was driving Bono’s car. It never happened and I wouldn’t recommend it,” said Stuart.

Stuart only drove the car occasionally as his own set of wheels is more reliable. The computer expert, who has a store in Carrigaline, drives a Daimler and says anyone who buys Bono’s Merc with plans to put it on the road will need to spend some time under the bonnet.

“It does go but it’s a bone-shaker. I drove it for six weeks solid at one stage when my own car was in the garage after a tip but I wouldn’t like to take it too far without a good service. I always intended to enjoy it for a while and then sell it on and see if it could raise a few bob more for charity.”

The car has already attracted an offer of 30,000 from Dave Lawlor, manager of Dublin pub and live music venue, Fibber Magees, who says he wants to display it on the roof.

“U2 actually played here once years ago so it would brilliant be get it,” he said.

Stuart, however, is hoping the bids will continue to rise because anything he makes over the €30,000 will go to the Chernobyl Children’s Project, a charity close to the heart of Bono’s wife, Ali Hewson, who is one of its most high profile campaigners.

Bidding is open for the rest of the week with the virtual hammer coming down on Sunday afternoon.