Last week I asked ‘what car is this?’ 406 of them were built between 1936 and 1939, straight eight supercharged engine of 5.4 liters, all independent suspension and revered today. What is it? It was the supercharged Mercedes 540 K one of the most beautiful cars ever made, and worth several million dollars today. In an era where most cars of this caliber were bodies outside the factory, Mercedes built most of the bodies themselves at the factory. Twenty armored versions were ordered by Third Reich officers!
How much is one really worth? Press Release from Auctioneers RM Sotheby’s, the world’s largest collector car auction house for investment-quality automobiles, kicked off its 2016 season this week with an impressive $62.8 million in sales at its 17th annual Arizona Biltmore auction in Phoenix. Attracting bidders from 20 countries, the two-day sale presented 149 blue-chip automobiles before a packed sales room, with 85 percent of all lots sold.
The undisputed star of the event – and this year’s Arizona auction week – was a 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster, chassis no. 130894. An original U.S.-delivery car with known history from new, the highly desirable “high door”, “longtail”, factory left-hand-drive Special Roadster was offered fresh to the market, following 26 years in single ownership. Bidding on the stunning automobile opened at $5 million before quickly climbing to a final $9,900,000. The impressive price ranks the vehicle as the most valuable automobile sold in Arizona auction week history, breaking the previous record set by RM in 2015. The strong result also ranks the Special Roadster as one of the most valuable pre-war automobiles ever sold at auction.
So to this week. What car is this? I want the manufacturer and the model. I have seen one in Pattaya. Clue: Short production line and all sold out and an electric canvas roof.
For the Automania free beer this week, be the first correct answer to email [email protected] or [email protected]. Good luck!
