The Mercedes-Benz 500K was produced from 1934 through 1935 and of the 354 vehicles produced, only 229 were the cabriolets. Today, only eleven 500K Cabriolets are known to exist.
It has a top speed of about 100 mph and is powered by a 160 horsepower, inline 8 cylinder, supercharged engine coupled to a 4-speed manual transmission. The 5,130 pound vehicle rides on a four-wheel independent coil-spring suspension and is stopped via hydraulic power brakes.
Records indicate that the car was commissioned by a Daimler Benz director in 1938. During the Second World War, the car was lost until discovered in Paris in 1953 where it was purchased by a U.S. Army Captain. A U.S. Air Force Lieutenant bought the car in 1957 and drove it in as-found and unrestored condition for the next 30 years participating in CCCA events and driving it between Florida and California.
The car was sold two more times before it was restored in 2004. | |
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