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With six feet of hood separating the driver from the front of the Mercedes 500K, there had to be something important under all that elegantly styled sheet metal. In this case, it was a legend - and an enormous engine. The early thirties saw Daimler-Benz begin to design high-speed touring cars, with the 500K one of the proudest accomplishments. The eight-cylinder, 5-liter big-bore engine was supercharged with the 'K' standing for Kompressor, and engaging it rewarded drivers with a distinctive C-note from the 500K's whining blower. The steering was stiff at lower speeds, but one look at the body (there were nine options) made it clear that speed would never be a problem. The car has four-wheel independent suspension, and is capable of hitting over 100 mph in top gear. This car was rebodied from a 540K to a 500K Special Roadster in 2000, and the engine and chassis numbers are matching.
After lengthy negotiations with Dr. Harald Alfers of Dusseldorf, Germany, the present owner purchased the Special K Package Mercedes, which Carrosserie Kong of Bassel, Switzerland, had started to re-body in 1992. Included in the package were a 1935 500K cabriolet B with the frame shortened, the engine repositioned, new wood body frame and a number of Special Roadster trim pieces. In 1996, Alfers moved the Special K Project from Kong to Frantz Prahl Klassische Automobile in Olendorf, Germany. The present owner purchased the project from Alfeers in 1997 and chose to have Prahl complete the project. After three years, many calls, letters and a number of trips to Germany, the project was completed and arrived in New York City in August of 2000.
The car rides on a stretched 129.5-inch wheelbase and is fitted with four-wheel independent suspension with coil springs, a 12-volt electrical system, vacuum assisted hydraulic brakes and electric windshield wipers.
Only 29 of these cars were originally built and only 20 remain in modern times.
After lengthy negotiations with Dr. Harald Alfers of Dusseldorf, Germany, the present owner purchased the Special K Package Mercedes, which Carrosserie Kong of Bassel, Switzerland, had started to re-body in 1992. Included in the package were a 1935 500K cabriolet B with the frame shortened, the engine repositioned, new wood body frame and a number of Special Roadster trim pieces. In 1996, Alfers moved the Special K Project from Kong to Frantz Prahl Klassische Automobile in Olendorf, Germany. The present owner purchased the project from Alfeers in 1997 and chose to have Prahl complete the project. After three years, many calls, letters and a number of trips to Germany, the project was completed and arrived in New York City in August of 2000.
The car rides on a stretched 129.5-inch wheelbase and is fitted with four-wheel independent suspension with coil springs, a 12-volt electrical system, vacuum assisted hydraulic brakes and electric windshield wipers.
Only 29 of these cars were originally built and only 20 remain in modern times.
2016 Motostalgia : Amelia Island Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,900,000-USD $2,250,000
Lot was not sold
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Mercedes-Benz 500K
(Data based on Model Year 1935 sales)
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Normal Roadster by Sindelfingen Chassis#: 123692 Sold for USD$1,655,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet A Chassis#: 105379 Sold for USD$1,710,000 2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center | |
1937 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet C by Sindelfingen Chassis#: 113715 Sold for USD$692,500 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet by Saoutchik Chassis#: 123696 Sold for USD$1,710,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Three-Position Roadster by Windovers Chassis#: 123699 Sold for USD$1,600,000 2021 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island Auction | |
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K Cabriolet A Chassis#: 123779 Sold for USD$1,766,009 2020 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais | |
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Roadster Chassis#: 105380 Sold for USD$5,916,336 2016 Bonhams : The Chantilly Sale | |
1935 MERCEDES-BENZ 500K 'SPECIAL ROADSTER' Chassis#: 113688 Sold for USD$1,221,346 2015 Bonhams : The Frederiksen Auction | |
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500/540 K Cabriolet A by Sindelfingen Chassis#: 105384 Sold for USD$3,025,000 2015 RM Sotheby's : Amelia Island | |
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet A Chassis#: 105379 Sold for USD$2,750,000 2013 Gooding and Company - The Scottsdale Auction | |
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Roadster by Sindelfingen Chassis#: 105380 Sold for USD$3,767,500 2011 RM Auctions at Monterey | |
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K Special Cabriolet Chassis#: 130859 Sold for USD$1,418,725 2007 RM Auctions - Automobiles of London | |
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500/540K Sold for USD$1,650,000 2006 Worldwide Auctions - Houston Classic 2006 |
Mercedes-Benz 500Ks That Failed To Sell At Auction
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Normal Roadster by Sindelfingen | 123692 | 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | $1,400,000 | $1,800,000 | |
1935 MERCEDES-BENZ 500K CABRIOLET A | 113717 | 2016 Bonhams : Quail Lodge | $2,200,000 | $2,600,000 | |
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500k Cabriolet C | 113715 | 2016 Bonhams : The Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale | $550,000 | $650,000 | |
1935 MERCEDES-BENZ 500K CABRIOLET C | 113715 | 2016 Bonhams The MercedesBenz Sale | $620,000 | $930,000 | |
1935 MERCEDES-BENZ 500 K CABRIOLET | 123696 | 2016 Bonhams The MercedesBenz Sale | $4,600,000 | $5,400,000 | |
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500k Roadster | 123686 | 2016 Motostalgia : Amelia Island Auction | $1,900,000 | $2,250,000 | |
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet by Windovers | 113631 | 2012 Coys Blenheim Palace | $280,000 | $350,000 | |
1935 MERCEDES BENZ 500 K replica | CA951569 | 2011 McCormicks Auction #50 Palm Springs CA | $19,500 | ||
1935 MERCEDES 500K REPLICA | CA951569 | 2010 McCormick's Auction #49 Palm Springs, CA | $18,500 | ||
1935 Mercedes-Benz Nürburg 500 Landaulet | 10 113 559 | 2007 Bonhams Les Grandes Marques a Monaco | $300,000 | $400,000 | |
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K Cabriolet B | 113626 | 2005 Bonhams Sports, Competition & Collectors' Motor Cars, F1 Memorabilia, Automobilia & Models | $140,000 | $160,000 | |
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K Special Roadster | 2003 Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island | $2,275,000 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $2,221,724 range.
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2022 Hennessey Venom F5 Chassis#:HSVVNMF5CP0222003 Sold for $2,205,000 2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia | |
1939 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Cabriolet A by Sindelfingen Chassis#:408371 Sold for $2,205,000 2024 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami | |
1965 ASTON MARTIN DB5 CONVERTIBLE Chassis#:DB5C/1903/L Sold for $2,205,000 2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
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1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K
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