• Stunning roadster design, reminiscent of the most elegant cars of its era
• Legendary supercharged Mercedes-Benz power
• Built as a 540 K Cabriolet B in 1938; rebodied and restored in the style of a Special Roadster between 2004 and 2006
• Retains its matching-numbers chassis and engine

The Mercedes-Benz 540 K was a legend of its day. Together with its precursor, the 500 K, the two models underpinned the Stuttgart marque’s driver-orientated luxury portfolio throughout the 1930s. Indeed, the 540 K adopted the same independently sprung chassis design from the car it succeeded, while its increased engine capacity kept things interesting from behind the wheel. The straight-eight engine—newly bored out to 5,401 cc for the 540 K—was attached to a Roots-type supercharger, in many instances switchable on demand. In full flight, with the added push of the Kompressor, the 540 K could achieve speeds approaching 170 km/h.

The 540 K was offered by Mercedes-Benz in many forms. Chassis construction was completed by the company’s Untertürkheim factory, while the marque’s in-house Singelfingen coachbuilding facility negated the need for customers to look elsewhere for attractive cabriolet or coupé body designs. The model was most popular in Cabriolet B specification, with 190 of the four-seater soft-tops accounting for almost half of the 419 total production figure of all variants. The most desirable version of the 540 K was undoubtably the Special Roadster, which remains the case for collectors today.

All Sindelfingen body styles for the 540 K platform evolved through generations and variations, and the Special Roadster was no exception. Its original low-door style—essentially the same as the previous 500 K—was eventually succeeded by the so-called long-tail, high-door design. The iconic shape is noted for its great flamboyant sweeps of subtly skirted wings, the power of the supercharged engine hinted at by the set-back radiator, and doors that curve back past a concealed top into a flowing upturned tail. It is as visually perfect a design as ever existed in the 1930s.

The example offered for sale here, chassis 169394, is a 540 K—and indeed a Special Roadster—like no other. According to the accompanying Kommissionsbuch—the internal document issued by Daimler-Benz, numbered 265396—the car was completed on 25 February 1938. Bodied as a 540 K Cabriolet B, the Mercedes-Benz was destined for Maurice Zamaria, residing in Jaffa—now part of Tel Aviv, Israel—and the despatch date is noted as 12 April. It is understood, however, that due to global instability as the clouds of war gathered over Europe, the Mercedes-Benz never left the country. Instead, it is reported that the 540 K was discovered in Germany after the war, its body likely destroyed by munitions.

While little is known about the car’s history from that point until the early-2000s, it is said that the surviving elements of the car were taken to Prahl Klassische Automobile of Preußisch Oldendorf, Germany, for restorative work between 2004 and 2006. The workshop was tasked with returning the car to its former glory, but in Special Roadster guise. Retaining the matching-numbers chassis and engine of the Cabriolet B donor car, craftsmen built a new body shell that evokes the elegant and flowing long-tail shape of the desirable Roadster. Finished in metallic silver over a black leather interior, with its flared swooping arches blending seamlessly into stylish running boards, and uncovered spare wheel positioned slightly behind the pop-up rear seat shelf, the car typifies the most elegant Mercedes-Benz of its era. Please note, as a result of its time spent on static display as part of a collection, this car will require mechanical inspection prior to returning to road use.

Whether bought for the enjoyment of supercharged 1930s motoring, or to simply drink in the character of this uniquely styled 540 K, the opportunity to acquire such a car is very rare.To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/mu22.