1937 Mercedes Benz 540K Special Roadster

Chassis №154140; Engine №154140; Body №200325; Commission №230716
115/180 hp 5,401 cc. supercharged overhead valve in-line 8-cylinder engine, 4-speed manual transmission, 4-wheel hydraulic drum brakes,
independent front and rear suspension. Wheelbase 3290 mm (129.5″).
The Mercedes-Benz 540K was the most powerful automobile of its period. Not in sheer engine power, to be sure, but in its total mastery of the road and everything on it. And of the 406 examples built during the 540K’s production life from 1936-1939 the most dominant were the Special Roadsters designed and executed to the highest standards in Mercedes-Benz’s own karosserie in Sindelfingen. Only twenty-five 540K Special Roadsters were built. Only six of these were the long tail, covered spare version such as the example on offer.
This spectacular Spezial Roadster was ordered new by the factory branch in Buenos Aires for S. Mastro & Cia Aguirre of Buenos Aires, Argentina, owners of a prestigious clothing store, on January 5th, 1937. Prior to its delivery to Argentina on June 29th, however, the car was first sent to Zurich and then Vienna by rail. According to Mercedes-Benz Classic Germany, it is likely that these cars were on display in Switzerland and Austria’s Mercedes-Benz agencies or perhaps even the cities’ respective car shows.
According to noted expert Rolf Wagner, a subsequent owner in Argentina was Jose M. Ahumada. The car remained in Argentina for many years, into the 1960s, until it was discovered by Bob Morgan of New York and exported to the United States, where it was owned by well known collectors and dealers, including Rolls-Royce collector Millard Newman, M.H. “Tiny” Gould and Dr. Don Vesley.
During his ownership, Vesley began a restoration before selling the car to Kerry Manolas of Australia in 1980.
During the 1990s the car returned to its native Germany where it was briefly owned by broker Axel Schuette. He had plans to restore the car once again but again the work was interrupted by an ownership change. The new, American custodians finally had the car fully restored by their own in-house team with help from experts Stone Barn Restorations. Following the restoration, the 540 K Spezial Roadster was awarded 'Best Mercedes' at Pebble Beach in 2004 and later won the same award and a 'best of show' at Amelia Island. In 2011 it was offered by RM Auctions in their annual Monterey sale.
It found a new owner for nearly $9.7 million, setting a new record for a Mercedes-Benz sold at auction.

[@JoelBoots]

Totally exquisite video- illustrations, music, layout - all worthy of a truly great classic.. THANKS!!

[@MB-hv3ic]

en argentina hubo muchos mercedes de valor ,muchos con este se fueron a alemania 🎥👍

[@shelleyharris9349]

It is special 😊

[@shelleyharris9349]

5:55

[@shelleyharris9349]

Sleek indeed 😎✌️😇☮️✝️🌍🎶

[@sandorgalaczi947]

na hát nagyón köszönöm eszta mai vetrán nèmetország ès egy gyesült álam ès ausztráriában is enyi vólt az órszág száma mós számóltam ösze az órszágók mèg egy szer köszi szèpen mós tis csak így tóváb 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@davidr5460]

ｐｒｏｍｏｓｍ 🌺