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1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet B
Sold 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet B 2146370415
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Overview
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet B
Price: USD $525,0001937 Mercedes 540K Cabriolet B
The legendary Mercedes 540K was introduced in late 1936 to replace the 500K, a model which had been built from 1934 through 36. A total of only 419 Chassis were completed and nearly all of these were bodied by the Factory, with only a small percentage going to outside Coachbuilders. Of the 419 total cars built, 190 of them were completed to Cabriolet B configuration. The earlier Cabriolet B bodies of 1936 and 1937 had a much more sloped and desirable rear end than the more rounded and larger trunk designs of the later cars. All of the 540Ks were completed to an exceptionally high level of craftsmanship and all had the same 5.4 liter inline 8 Cylinder Supercharged engine which produced approximately 180HP with the Supercharger engaged.
The 540K offered here retains its matching chassis and engine numbers, denoted by the 169350 stamped on each, which identify it as being built in late 1937. According to a Christies auction description from 2007, there was a fax from Daimler Chrysler AG in 1995 which stated that the car was 1 st registered on Aug 24th 1937 and was to be used by the Factory as a demonstration vehicle. The Fax further stated that the internal order number was 257654 and that the original body number was 825716. It did not state what body style the car was when originally built. This fax is no longer with the car. The car does appear to have been subject to a body change at some point and currently sports a proper Sindelfingen Cabriolet B with a Body number of 837616. Since the early history of the car is unknown it is not possible to know for sure if the original body was also a Cabriolet B, though given that Cab B s were the most common, it is likely to have been the case that this car was originally fitted with one. Over time, a number of Cabriolet B bodies have been removed from their original chassis which were destined to be re-bodied as Special-Roadster replicas. It would be no surprise if one of these previously removed Cabriolet B bodies was used to replace another similar body that was damaged or in poor condition. This car was sold in the 2007 Christies Auction for 396k Euro which at the time was approx. $550K U.S. It was sold into a large collection in California where it remained until 2021 when it was purchased in non-running condition due to the original fiber timing gears in the front of the engine having failed. The car was subsequently repaired and in addition to having a new drive gear set installed; the supercharger, supercharger drive assembly and front cover were all rebuilt with new bearings and seals. The Starter was also sent out for repair/rebuild and the vehicle was serviced. There is photo documentation of the work that was recently performed. The paintwork, chrome, interior and top are all in very nice driver quality condition today. The Mother of Pearl Dash and gauges are exceptional. The engine starts and runs well. The transmission and rear end also perform as they should. The Car has been driven approximately 20 miles since the recent work was performed. Additional work will be required, primarily with respect to the suspension, brakes and wheels if the car is to be a reliable car for long distance touring use. Mercedes 540Ks typically sell in the 1-4 Million U.S. range depending on body style and condition with original bodied Special Roadsters bringing in excess of 10 Million USD in some cases. Even replica Special Roadsters with all new bodies have sold in the 1.5 to over 2 Million range the last several years.
The legendary Mercedes 540K was introduced in late 1936 to replace the 500K, a model which had been built from 1934 through 36. A total of only 419 Chassis were completed and nearly all of these were bodied by the Factory, with only a small percentage going to outside Coachbuilders. Of the 419 total cars built, 190 of them were completed to Cabriolet B configuration. The earlier Cabriolet B bodies of 1936 and 1937 had a much more sloped and desirable rear end than the more rounded and larger trunk designs of the later cars. All of the 540Ks were completed to an exceptionally high level of craftsmanship and all had the same 5.4 liter inline 8 Cylinder Supercharged engine which produced approximately 180HP with the Supercharger engaged.
The 540K offered here retains its matching chassis and engine numbers, denoted by the 169350 stamped on each, which identify it as being built in late 1937. According to a Christies auction description from 2007, there was a fax from Daimler Chrysler AG in 1995 which stated that the car was 1 st registered on Aug 24th 1937 and was to be used by the Factory as a demonstration vehicle. The Fax further stated that the internal order number was 257654 and that the original body number was 825716. It did not state what body style the car was when originally built. This fax is no longer with the car. The car does appear to have been subject to a body change at some point and currently sports a proper Sindelfingen Cabriolet B with a Body number of 837616. Since the early history of the car is unknown it is not possible to know for sure if the original body was also a Cabriolet B, though given that Cab B s were the most common, it is likely to have been the case that this car was originally fitted with one. Over time, a number of Cabriolet B bodies have been removed from their original chassis which were destined to be re-bodied as Special-Roadster replicas. It would be no surprise if one of these previously removed Cabriolet B bodies was used to replace another similar body that was damaged or in poor condition. This car was sold in the 2007 Christies Auction for 396k Euro which at the time was approx. $550K U.S. It was sold into a large collection in California where it remained until 2021 when it was purchased in non-running condition due to the original fiber timing gears in the front of the engine having failed. The car was subsequently repaired and in addition to having a new drive gear set installed; the supercharger, supercharger drive assembly and front cover were all rebuilt with new bearings and seals. The Starter was also sent out for repair/rebuild and the vehicle was serviced. There is photo documentation of the work that was recently performed. The paintwork, chrome, interior and top are all in very nice driver quality condition today. The Mother of Pearl Dash and gauges are exceptional. The engine starts and runs well. The transmission and rear end also perform as they should. The Car has been driven approximately 20 miles since the recent work was performed. Additional work will be required, primarily with respect to the suspension, brakes and wheels if the car is to be a reliable car for long distance touring use. Mercedes 540Ks typically sell in the 1-4 Million U.S. range depending on body style and condition with original bodied Special Roadsters bringing in excess of 10 Million USD in some cases. Even replica Special Roadsters with all new bodies have sold in the 1.5 to over 2 Million range the last several years.
- Of 419 total cars built, just 190 of them were Cabriolet B specification
- Retains its matching chassis and engine numbers
- Mechanically sound
- Mercedes-Benz s flagship model built by special order only
Price: $525,000
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Classic car for sale by
Gullwing Motor Cars
Gullwing Motor Cars
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Location: Astoria, NY, United States
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You may be able to finance this car.
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Welcome to our collector car marketplace where we feature thousands of classified ad listings of vintage cars for sale. We hope that you will bookmark our site and visit often; our cars are updated every day. Furthermore we encourage you to subscribe to our mailing list so that we may periodically notify you of interesting classic cars that become available.