Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).
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.
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.
No auction information available for this vehicle at this time.
Recent Sales of the Mercedes-Benz 540K
(Data based on Model Year 1934 sales)
1934 MERCEDES-BENZ 500/540K (FACTORY UPGRADE) SPEZIAL ROADSTER Chassis#: 105136 Sold for USD$4,900,000 2021 Bonhams : Amelia Island Auction |
Mercedes-Benz 540Ks That Failed To Sell At Auction
1934 Mercedes-Benz 540K's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $4,900,000 range.
1995 Ferrari 333 SP Evoluzione Chassis#:010 Sold for $5,120,000 2024 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1959 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta 'Tour de France' Coachwork by Pininfarina/Scaglietti Chassis#:1401GT Sold for $5,105,187 2023 Bonhams : The Zoute Sale | |
1914 MERCER TYPE 35-J RACEABOUT Chassis#:1967 Sold for $4,790,000 2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1995 Ferrari F50 Chassis#:ZFFTA46B000103501 Sold for $5,065,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | |
2010 McLaren-Mercedes MP4-25 Formula 1 Chassis#:25A-01 Sold for $4,730,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Sealed Bid | |
1912 Simplex 50HP 5 Passenger Torpedo Tourer Chassis#:834 Sold for $4,845,000 2023 Bonhams : Scottsdale Auction | |
1935 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe by Rollston Chassis#:2576 Sold for $4,680,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing Chassis#:198.043.5500786 Sold for $5,010,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1968 Porsche 907 usine Chassis#:907-031 Sold for $4,849,023 2022 Artcurial : Retromobile | |
1958 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series I by Pinin Farina Chassis#:0849 GT Sold for $5,002,319 2021 RM Sothebys : The Guikas Collection | |
1934 MERCEDES-BENZ 500/540K (FACTORY UPGRADE) SPEZIAL ROADSTER Chassis#:105136 Sold for $4,900,000 2021 Bonhams : Amelia Island Auction | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Tourer by Corsica Chassis#:57512 Sold for $4,735,000 2021 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
1931 Bugatti Type 55 Two-Seat Supersport Chassis#:55221 Sold for $5,045,740 2020 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais | |
1958 Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France Berlinetta Chassis#:0903 GT Sold for $5,100,000 2019 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1960 Porsche 718 RS 60 Werks Chassis#:718-044 Sold for $5,100,000 2019 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1966 Serenissima Spyder Chassis#:005 Sold for $4,800,587 2019 Artcurial : Retroobile | |
1955 Ferrari 500 Mondial Series II Chassis#:0556 (0446) MD Sold for $5,005,000 2018 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1957 Porsche 550A Spyder Chassis#:550A-0116 Sold for $4,900,000 2018 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1957 BMW 507 Roadster with Hardtop Chassis#:70067 Sold for $5,034,692 2018 Bonhams : Goodwood | |
1993 McLaren-Cosworth Ford MP4/8A Formula racing Single-Seater Chassis#:MP4/8-6 Sold for $5,009,294 2018 Bonhams : The Monaco Sale 'Les Grandes Marques à Monaco' |
1934 Mercedes-Benz 540K
• Additional valuation insight and sales data• History
• Specifications
• Image gallery
• Other Mercedes-Benz 540K model years