Contrary to popular belief, we believe there's something profoundly special about the moment a car chooses you. Not the other way around. It's that instant when heritage, emotion, and opportunity converge to create something far more meaningful than a simple transaction.
For Stephen Hall, a long-standing client of Elev8 Finance, this moment arrived not once, but twice in recent months. His story illustrates everything we believe about luxury car financing at Elev8 - that behind every exceptional vehicle lies an equally exceptional story, and that our role extends far beyond simply arranging the numbers.
In this article, we hear from Stephen about his lifelong connection to Mercedes-Benz, the sensitive acquisition of a treasured 1962 classic that had been cherished for over 30 years, and how a chance discovery led to the modern Gullwing that completed his collection - with Elev8 Finance making both dreams possible through truly bespoke service.
"My father always drove a Mercedes," Stephen recalls, his voice carrying the warmth of cherished memories. "It was his pride and joy. When he retired, he had this wonderful Smoke Silver pillarless E320 coupe - quite special. He loved that car."
This paternal connection to the three-pointed star never left Stephen. A few years ago, he acquired a Mercedes-AMG SL55 - a car he still owns today, meticulously maintained with just 14,000 miles when he purchased it. The vehicle represented so much more than German engineering excellence; it was a tangible link to his father's aspirations and achievements.
"The technology on these Mercedes - they're ahead of the curve," Stephen explains. "I keep it professionally garaged, drive it a couple of months each year just to keep it ticking over. It's a beautiful, beautiful car."
As Stephen's passion conveys, this isn’t just about car ownership. It is a preservation of legacy, mechanical and emotional connection on four wheels.
Every year, Stephen takes his SL55 AMG to John Haynes in Goring, recognised specialists for Mercedes-Benz vehicles on the south coast. During a routine service visit this year, something caught his eye in their modest showroom - a pristine Mercedes-Benz 190 SL that seemed to glow with history.
"It's truly beautiful," Stephen says. "It's a work of art. I'm not a petrol head per se - I buy these cars because they have feeling and meaning because of the way they were constructed during those particular eras."
The 190 SL that gleamed before him was no ordinary example. Finished in cream with a striking red interior, this rare right-hand drive variant (one of only 562 ever produced) had been cherished by a single owner for more than three decades. The car had recently spent twelve months displayed at Mercedes-Benz World in Woking as a prime example of the model.
"The dossier from day one has every single sales receipt," Stephen notes with genuine admiration. "John Haynes had looked after this car for the previous owner for more than 30 years. The car is completely preserved."
Acquiring such a treasured vehicle required more than financial capability - it demanded respect, patience, and understanding. The previous owner, now in his eighties, faced an emotional decision.
"It was a very emotional sale," Stephen explains. "The purchase took two to three months to actually get through because there was a bit of toing and froing with the price. I didn't want to be disrespectful."
Throughout the process, Simon Haynes at John Haynes Mercedes specialists facilitated the negotiations with sensitivity and care. "I consulted with Simon as to whether I should proceed with an offer. He got it over the line for me, but always with respect for what this car meant to the seller."
The handover became a promise - an assurance that the car's legacy would continue, that John Haynes would remain as its custodian in terms of service and maintenance, and that this automotive treasure would be preserved for future generations.
This is where Stephen's established relationship with Elev8 Finance revealed its true value. Having financed multiple vehicles through the team over his eight-year relationship with Romans International, Stephen discovered something new: Elev8 could finance vehicles purchased from specialists beyond Romans.
"I didn't realise that Elev8 financed cars outside of Romans," Stephen admits. "Every car they'd done for me, I'd always purchased from Romans, so it had been a natural transition to use Elev8."
Sarah at Elev8 Finance took charge of the 190 SL financing, immediately recognising the unique requirements. Due to the vehicle's age, traditional finance providers like Santander couldn't accommodate the deal - it required specialist expertise and lender relationships that only a bespoke finance broker could provide.
"Sarah explained to me how there are different markets for these cars, and it wouldn't fit the book for Santander because of its age," Stephen explains. "We had to use a different finance company. That process was very, very interesting, and Sarah handled everything."
The financing for a classic car of this calibre involves considerations that standard motor finance simply doesn't address: the vehicle's provenance, its storage arrangements, the specialist maintenance schedule, and its investment potential. These are nuances that require not just industry knowledge, but a genuine understanding of the collector car market.
While the 190 SL purchase was progressing, Simon Haynes at John Haynes offered Stephen a glimpse behind the curtain - literally. Through his office and into a separate garage lay a hidden world where magnificent vintage Mercedes cars were maintained for an extra special clientele.
There, Stephen encountered two Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwings from the 1950s - the holy grail of Mercedes collecting, with values exceeding £1 million. "These things are the benchmark," Stephen says with awe. "They are one of the standout cars for Mercedes."
While the 300 SL remained beyond reach, it sparked something deeper. The Gullwing design of those iconic upward-opening doors - a striking feature that represented the pinnacle of Mercedes-Benz sports car design. And Mercedes-AMG had created a modern interpretation.
Sometimes opportunity doesn't wait for convenient timing. While Stephen holidayed in Crete, an alert from Romans International's website caught his attention: a 2014 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing in Magno Allanite Grey with black and red exclusive leather interior had become available.
"I literally got off the plane from Crete and went straight to the showroom from Gatwick," Stephen recalls with a laugh. "At 8:30 in the morning, I was in Ben's office at Romans, test-driving that SLS."
The SLS AMG Gullwing, produced only between 2009 and 2014, was designed as Mercedes-AMG's homage to the legendary 300 SL. The connection to his newly acquired 190 SL was immediate and profound - here was the modern-day spiritual successor to the heritage car he'd just purchased.
"The synergy between the two cars," Stephen explains, "is to have the Gullwing, which is the modern-day predecessor to what I had purchased in the 190 SL. It's quite special, actually."
With the SLS purchase moving quickly, Stephen reached out to his contact at Romans, who immediately brought in Mike McCann, General Manager of Elev8 Finance.
"I said to Ben, 'Do you think you can get me the finance on it?' He said, 'Let's speak to Mike,'" Stephen recalls. "Mike intervened and took charge. He looked at it and said, 'Yeah, sure. I'm sure we can sort this out for you."
Once again, the financing of such a special car required a specialist treatment. The SLS AMG, while significantly newer than the 190 SL, still demanded a tailored approach considering factors like storage facilities, the vehicle's left-hand drive configuration, and its investment potential.
"The finances are tailored to the type of car you're buying, the age, and even things like storage facilities come into it," Stephen notes. "All that backstory matters."
This exemplifies the Elev8 Finance difference. Where other brokers see complications, Mike and his team see opportunities to deliver exceptional service through their extensive lender relationships and deep understanding of the prestige car market.
Stephen's collection now spans Mercedes-Benz history:
Each of these stunning cars significantly represents a different era of Mercedes engineering excellence. And each required different financing solutions that only a specialist broker could provide.
"When you're spending significant money, you want it taken care of for you," Stephen explains. "I'm not an expert in that field, but at that level and with the expertise that Elev8 Finance provides, I've relied on them. Mike and Sarah have always been there."
For Stephen, these cars aren't static investments or garage ornaments. They're mechanical art that deserves to be both preserved and enjoyed.
"These cars have to be driven," he insists. "You must use them to keep them all ticking over properly. I don't just have them to look at. But when they're not being driven, I'm very comfortable putting them back into storage with the correct people who know how to look after them."
The 190 SL will remain in the care of John Haynes specialists, while Stephen plans to take it out for carefully chosen drives. "There's a lovely route from Goring to the seafront and then all the way along the coast road through Brighton," he enthuses. "On a lovely sunny day with the roof down, just cruising along the seafront - it's there to be enjoyed."
Living on the south coast, Stephen is acutely aware of the damaging effects of salt air on precious vehicles, making professional storage and maintenance not just preferable, but essential.
When asked to describe his experience with Elev8 Finance, Stephen's enthusiasm is genuine and unreserved.
"Mike comes with a big smile on his face and says, 'Yes, don't worry, Stephen, we'll sort that out for you.' And it really is as simple as that," Stephen explains. "They're there to accommodate your dream."
He continues: "It's seamless. Nothing's a problem. You're being taken care of - and you've got the people that can make it happen for you."
This seamless service extends beyond just arranging competitive rates. It encompasses understanding the client's vision, recognising the unique requirements of each vehicle, navigating the specialist finance market, and ensuring every detail supports the client's aspirations.
"Everything's done electronically these days," Stephen notes. "You ping it back, and the next thing you're just picking up a set of keys and driving away. It's simple."
But behind that simplicity lies sophisticated expertise - the kind that only comes from years of experience in prestige car finance and genuine passion for exceptional vehicles.
Stephen's eight-year relationship with Romans International and Elev8 Finance reflects a truth that resonates deeply in today's world: people buy from people, and exceptional service creates lasting loyalty.
"As you know, in a world of AI, people essentially buy from people," Stephen observes. "Romans and Elev8 pride themselves on providing a personal experience. Mike's instantly likeable - he's the type of gentleman that you feel like you've known for a long time, even when you haven't."
In an era where customer service has declined across many industries, the personal touch becomes not just desirable but essential. For purchases as significant and personal as collector cars, the relationship with your finance provider must be built on trust, expertise, and genuine care.
"I always have this little joke with Romans," Stephen shares. "I thank them for selling me the car. They always say, 'Thank you for the business,' and I say, 'No, thank you. Thank you for allowing me to buy it.' It's mutual satisfaction. The service is always positive and special."
Stephen's story illustrates why specialist finance brokers like Elev8 Finance exist and why they matter. Traditional lenders operate within rigid parameters designed for volume, not nuance.
When Sarah and Mike at Elev8 Finance structure a deal, they're not simply processing an application. On the contrary, they're understanding the complete picture: the client's history, the vehicle's significance, the specialist maintenance requirements, and how all these elements come together to create a financing solution that works.
"Elev8 were able to pick up on the legacy situation," Stephen explains, referencing the 190 SL purchase. "They understood that the previous owner and I all wanted to ensure this car's continuity. That mattered in how they structured the finance."
"When you get into these cars, you understand why people like John Haynes and the team at Romans and Elev8 care so much," Stephen reflects. "They love these cars. You can see it in how they operate."
Stephen's collection isn't finished - these things never truly are for passionate collectors. But what he's created is something coherent and meaningful.
"It's not just about having the cars," Stephen muses. "It's about preserving them, enjoying them, and ensuring they continue their journey long after I'm gone. That's what makes this special." Stephen has certainly built a support system that allows his passion to flourish responsibly.
At Elev8 Finance, we're privileged to play a role in stories like Stephen Hall’s. Our expertise in prestige car finance isn't just about competitive rates or extensive lender panels - though we certainly offer both. It's about understanding that each client, each vehicle, and each situation deserves individual attention and bespoke solutions.
Whether you're considering a modern supercar from a premier dealership or a classic collector car from a specialist, whether you're a first-time prestige buyer or a seasoned collector, we bring the same philosophy that has served clients like Stephen so well: personal service, deep expertise, and genuine care about your automotive aspirations.
Because at the end of the day, we're not just financing cars. We're helping preserve legacies, enabling passions, and making dreams possible - one exceptional vehicle at a time.
If Stephen's story resonates with you, or if you're considering your own exceptional vehicle purchase, we'd love to hear from you. Whether it's a modern supercar, a classic collector car, or anything in between, the Elev8 Finance team brings the expertise, relationships, and personal service to make it happen.
Contact us today and discover how we can help elevate your automotive aspirations into reality. Because everyone deserves their Mike McCann moment - that smile and reassurance that says, "Don't worry, we'll sort that out for you."
After all, that's what we do.