A Rare 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Spezial Roadster by Sindelfingen will be offered at auction in Monterey, California in August. Originally sold for $12,000 when new, only 406 pieces were built between 1936 and 1939. RM Auctions is now expecting to become the most expensive Mercedes Benz ever sold at an auction.
The Special Roadster was priced at around $12,000 US when new and represented the ultimate example of the supercharged 540K. One of just a select few built with the most desirable configuration of high door, long tail and covered rear spare, of which it is believed just three examples survive, the ultra-rare 540K on offer was ordered new by the factory branch in Buenos Aires for the owners of a prestigious Argentinean clothing store. Delivered in June 1937, 154140 spent its early years in Argentina before being imported into the United States by one of the country’s first full-time antique automobile dealers, Tiny Gould. It then passed through a string of well-documented owners, including time spent in both Australia and Germany. Today, beautifully presented and the recipient of a thorough, concours-quality restoration, it has enjoyed great success on the show field at both the prestigious Amelia Island and Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance events.
*UPDATE: This beauty has been sold for $9,680,000
This marvel has been recent inspected by experts from Mercedes-Benz Classic Germany.
Priced at 28,000 Reichsmark (about US$12,000 in Germany at the prevailing exchange rate).
Quite simply, this is automotive artwork at its finest.
Images Courtesy of RM Auctions
