Gooding Christie's has announced the lot that will headline its first Retromobile New York sale: a custom Mercedes-Maybach S680 that LeBron James designed for himself, then set aside for charity. The auctions take place November 20 and 21, 2026, at the Javits Center, during the broader November 19–22 show.

Proceeds go to the LeBron James Family Foundation's I Promise Program, the organization's effort to support students and families in Akron, Ohio. The car isn't just a tribute piece. It's one of two nearly identical Maybachs James commissioned through Mercedes-Benz's Manufaktur Made to Measure program.

James built two S680s through the same bespoke process, and he's keeping one for himself. The S680 heading to auction is described as nearly identical to that personal car, sharing the same light-ivory paint and the same Stormy Weather Blue Nappa leather with porcelain contrast stitching.

Both cars carry James's personal touches. His crown logo appears on the front fenders, the headrests, the dashboard, and the floor mats, replacing the standard V12 badge with a custom crown emblem. The center console is inscribed with the geographic coordinates of Akron, his hometown.

Under the hood, both Maybachs share the same hardware with a 6.0-liter V12 engine producing 621 horsepower. The Manufaktur Made to Measure program let James choose custom colors, materials, and made-to-order trim pieces that go well beyond what Mercedes-Maybach offers off the shelf.

Gooding Christie's senior specialist Rupert Banner called the project "a perfect match of excellence," pairing James's celebrity with Maybach's customization program. The result is a car built to the same spec as a personal collector piece, just destined for a new owner.

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