1934 Mercedes-Benz 500 K
500K was a king-of-the-road Mercedes that used a root-driven supercharger to deliver a screaming 180 bhp on a whim. It was fitted with the very best bodies by Mercedes-Benz’s own Karrosserie Sindelfingen including the coveted Spezial-Roadster.
In Detail
| tags | 500k |
| submitted by | Richard Owen |
| type | Series Production Car |
| built at | Germany |
| engine | Inline-8 |
| position | Front, Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Supercharger |
| displacement | 4984 cc / 304.14 in³ |
| power | 134.2 kw / 180 bhp |
| specific output | 36.12 bhp per litre |
| transmission | 4-Speed Manual |
| top speed | ~160 kph / 99.36 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~16.5 seconds |
Auction Sales History
1934 Mercedes-Benz 500K Cabriolet C 113658 – sold for €609,500 Delivered new to Switzerland. One of a mere circa 90 two door Cabriolet C models. Restored condition and sold from an important private collection. Matching numbers. Presented today in restored condition.
Auction Source: The Chantilly Sale 2015
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500/540 K Cabriolet A 105384 – sold for $3,025,000 One of 33 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet As built. Upgraded to 540 K specification in period. Fastidiously maintained and excellently presented. High-quality concours restoration by Francois Cointreau, of France. Riefen-Wagner, of Landshut, Germany, performed all of the mechanical overhaul work between 2000 and 2001.
Auction Source: 2015 Amelia Island by RM Sotheby’s
1934 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Mayfair Tourer 123689 – sold for $825,000 An extremely sporting 500 K. Unique British custom coachwork. Long-term enthusiast ownership. Accompanied by copies of its Daimler-Benz build sheets.
Auction Source: 2014 Monterey by RM Auctions
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet A 105379 – sold for $2,750,000 The Epitome of Mercedes-Benz Luxury and Style. A Highly Regarded Example of the Marque. Well-Documented Provenance from New. One of Just 11 Remaining Examples of the Cabriolet A. Authentic, Matching-Numbers Example. Faithfully Presented in Original, As-Delivered Appearance. One of the Most Beautiful and Desirable Pre-war Mercedes-Benz Body Styles.
Auction Source: The 2013 Scottsdale Auctions by Gooding & Company
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K Three-Position Drophead Coupe – did not sell for $425,000
The Corsica-bodied 500K drophead coupé offered here benefits from an older restoration, and has been featured in many books, magazines, and calendars over the past three decades. Its ownership history is complete and dates back to 1935, when purchased new by Sir Max Aitken, and registered as BXN 134. Interestingly, the handsome 500K was owned by Herr Schultz, the German Ambassador to Great Britain in 1938, before the car found its way to the United States in 1939, joining the collection of D. Cameron Peck of Chicago, one of the best known pioneer collectors of important automobiles. Later, the car passed through several more owners, each of whom cared for it well, attending to its needs. The car received an engine rebuild in 1959, performed by a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based Mercedes-Benz dealer, a new folding top in 1968, and it was mechanically and cosmetically restored in 1969. In 1993, this lovely Mercedes-Benz was once again restored as needed, before its exhibition at the prestigious Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance in 1995. Shortly after, the owner placed the car on long-term loan to the Classic Car Exhibit at the well-known Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Museum, in Auburn, Indiana.
Today, while the occasional scratch and chip are observed in the paint and brightwork, this handsome automobile remains very pleasing overall with the flaws visible only upon closer scrutiny. The tan three-position top is nicely fitted, but exhibits some minor staining, and the handsome car is outfitted with body color painted wire wheels, headlamps, Lucas driving lights, and a rear-mounted spare tire. Originally supplied to the British market, this right-hand drive example has recently been completely and expertly re-upholstered in period correct tan hides. The steering wheel and wooden dashboard also display some evidence of the passage of time, but give an authentic overall patina nonetheless.
Mechanically, this very sound and competently running example benefits from rather recent mechanical work, which includes a new battery, a rebuilt starter drive, and a rebuilt brake master cylinder. Under the bonnet, the engine has been detailed, and while not to concours condition, it is very nicely presented. Furthermore, the chassis has been freshly cleaned, with paint touchups as required.
The Corsica drophead coupé body lends an interesting and quite British elegance to the German chassis, which is refreshing to see when compared to the German coachwork more commonly fitted. The overall effect is very pleasant, and results in a remarkably beautiful automobile with legendary performance, an interesting history as well as sympathetic care and maintenance.
Auction Source: 2009 RM Auctions Sports & Classics of Monterey
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K Cabriolet B 130878 – sold for $1,045,000 Featured In Mercedes-Benz 8 By Jan Melin. Ready For Touring And Shows. An Ideal Touring Car Or Show Car With Space For Four. Unique And Highly Original Coachwork Combining The Sporting Style Of The Special Roadster And The Luxury Of The Cabriolet B. Special Roadster Fenders And Bespoke Chrome Trim.
Auction Source: 2008 Monterey Preview
