1934 Mercedes-Benz 540K 500K Kombo Roadster

This Mercedes-Benz was built for a World War II war hero: an allied hero! His father was the first British airman to receive the Victoria Cross for heroics in WWI where he was finally shot down and died. His son received a flying license before he got a driver's license and was a dare-devil ski jumper in the 1936 Winter Olympics for Britain. When WWII broke out, William henry Rhodes-Moorehouse joined the Royal Air Force and shot down a number of German aircraft that were attacking Britain. He is listed among the British aces of WWII and received the Distinguished Flying Cross from the King of England. He was eventually shot down and died during the Battle of Britain.

William Henry Rhodes-Moorehouse purchased the 540K chassis and had the English firm of Windovers install an alloy custom body, which was extremely unusual. Windovers began building carriages as early as 1796, and more often bodied Rolls-Royce and Bentleys. Moorehouse felt the lightweight swoopy alloy body would be quicker than the factory cars.

The current owner brought the car to the 2008 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance in honor of William Henry Rhodes-Moorehouse and the WWII British and Americans who gave so much for their countries.