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1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet B

  • Chassis Number: 130921
  • Engine Number: 130921
  • Body Number: Commission no. 219844
This Mercedes-Benz represents a superb combination of the lighter styling of the 500K Cabriolet B coachwork crafted by the factory's Sindelfingen coachworks, mated to the uprated 540K mechanical specification, which became available in 1936.

This 540K was originally finished in a medium grey with dark grey fenders and was delivered new to Germany. Eventually, the car made its way stateside and passed through several owners, including Jerry Moore of Texas, for whom it was painted red. It spent many years in the Blackhawk Collection and later with Orin Smith. The current owners acquired it from the Orin Smith estate and have had it faithfully restored.
This Mercedes-Benz 540 K wears a Cabriolet B body created by the factory's coachbuilding shops at Sindelfingen. The Cabriolet B offered seating for four-passengers, with a comfortable rear seat for two, and a soft top with rear quarter windows. There were two variants produced, the first was the 'early' Cabriolet B, which had the 500 K-style bodywork, including vertical louvers on the hood sides, but with certain 540 K features, including the bumpers.

This example is an early Cabriolet B. It was purchased by Orin Smith in 2008 from a longtime friend in New Jersey. It had been in the care of the Blackhawk Collection before coming to the East Coast, where it resided in Alan Rosenblum's Pennsylvania collection for several years.

At some point, this car was cosmetically restored and finished in its current scarlet livery, with a tan canvas top and tan leather interior. There are chrome wire wheels, Bosch lenses, a pair of Marchal driving lights, and Raydyot cowl lamps. Proper Sekurit glass is fitted to all windows.

Currently, the odometer shows 11,201 kilometers. There is a an original serial number tag affixed to the firewall, identifying the chassis number as 130921; the engine is stamped 130921 on what appears to be the original and correct block stamping, while the engine tag notes 130931.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2017

2017 RM Auctions : Amelia Island

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $600,000-USD $750,000 
Sale Price :
USD $698,500

1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Mercedes-Benz 540K

(Data based on Model Year 1936 sales)
1936 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet A by Sindelfingen
Chassis#: 130945
Sold for USD$1,600,000
  2024 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  
1936 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet A by Sindelfingen
Chassis#: 130941
Sold for USD$1,875,000
  2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  
1936 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet B by Sindelfingen
Chassis#: 130921
Sold for USD$698,500
  2017 RM Auctions : Amelia Island
1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  
1936 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Cabriolet by Sindelfingen
Chassis#: 130913
Sold for USD$1,540,000
  2014 RM Auctions at Monterey
1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  
1936 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster
Chassis#: 130949
Sold for USD$11,770,000
  2012 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auction
1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  
1936 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Sport Cabriolet A by Sindelfingen
Chassis#: 130945
Sold for USD$3,002,390
  2012 RM Auctions at Monaco
1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  
1936 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Sport Cabriolet A by Sindelfingen
Chassis#: 130945
Sold for USD$2,970,000
  2011 RM Auctions at Monterey
1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  
1936 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Spezial Coupe by Sindelfingen
Chassis#: 130944
Sold for USD$3,080,000
  2011 RM Auctions at Monterey
1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  
1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Cabriolet
Chassis#: 130913
Sold for USD$913,000
  2010 RM Auctions - Sports & Classics of Monterey
1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  
1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Cabriolet
Chassis#: 130945
Sold for USD$2,035,000
  2008 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Arizona
1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  
1936 MERCEDES 540 K REPLICA
Chassis#: 1185135
Sold for USD$20,000
  2007 Palm Springs Exotic Car Auctions - November 18, 2007
 
1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K Replica Convertible
Sold for USD$11,880
  2007 Toronto International Spring Classic Car Auction
 
1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Cabriolet
Chassis#: 130913
Sold for USD$1,028,500
  2007 Vintage Motor Cars in Arizona
1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  
1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K Sindelfigen
Sold for USD$836,000
  2006 Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction
1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  
1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet C
Chassis#: 169387
Sold for USD$1,178,591
  2006 Coys Auction - Legende et Passion
 

Mercedes-Benz 540Ks That Failed To Sell At Auction

1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K Sport Cabriolet1309452014 Rick Cole Auctions : Monterey$3,246,100  
1936 MERCEDES BENZ 540 K REPLICA 2009 Silver Auction Salt Lake City$19,000  
1936 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Cabriolet1309452004 The Monterey Sports and Classic Car Auction$1,100,000$1,400,000$1,800,000

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1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K

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