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1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet A

  • Coachwork by Sindelfingen
  • Chassis Number: 154146
  • Engine Number: 154146
  • Body Number: 826201
This 540K Sport Cabriolet A was ordered by Martha Jordans and was delivered to her home in Monchengladbach, Germany. Documentation suggests that Miss Jordans placed the order for this car in Paris, although the car was actually delivered on February 12th of 1937, to her German home on Albertusstrasse in Mönchengladbach via Daimler-Benz Düsseldorf. Jordans was a friend of Alfred Krupp, the steel magnate, and on the inside of the hood there is a plaque with his name. Jordans later emigrated via Paris to the United States and her Cabriolet A went with her.

Eighty-three Cabriolet As of all styles were built on the 540 K chassis, and 32 of this version, which was introduced in 1936, were constructed. Just 10 bodies of the 826200 series were built (with Mercedes-Benz Sindelfingen coachwork), and this example, body number 826201, is the first of these.

This vehicle has been in many books and was also featured in the US magazine Car Collector while in the ownership of American Mercedes-Benz expert Tom Kreid in the 1980s. In 1996 the car returned to Germany and was purchased by Dr. Stoffel of Straubing in Germany. It was later restored in Germany by prewar specialists Wagner of Landshut. The car is a great example of this prestigious supercharged Mercedes and still has its original Telefunken radio and fitted luggage.

2017 RM Sothebys : Monterey

Sale Price :
USD $2,585,000

2016 Bonhams : Greenwich Concours d'Elegance Auction

Lot was not sold

2015 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Arizona

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $3,400,000-USD $4,000,000 
High Bid (Lot was not sold)
USD $3,100,000

1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Mercedes-Benz 540K

(Data based on Model Year 1937 sales)
1937 MERCEDES-BENZ 540K SPECIAL ROADSTER
Chassis#: 154080
Sold for USD$2,420,000
  2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet B by Sindelfingen
Chassis#: 169367
Sold for USD$775,000
  2023 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  
1937 MERCEDES-BENZ 540 K SPORT CABRIOLET A
Chassis#: 154084
Sold for USD$3,085,000
  2022 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster by Sindelfingen
Chassis#: 154075
Sold for USD$9,905,000
  2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Coupe by Hebmüller
Chassis#: 154143
Sold for USD$995,000
  2020 RM Sothebys : Scottsdale Arizona
 
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet A by Sindelfingen
Chassis#: 154078
Sold for USD$2,539,413
  2019 RM Sothebys : Essen
 
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Sports Roadster Coachwork by Mayfair
Chassis#: 154080
Sold for USD$3,277,500
  2018 Bonhams : Quail Lodge
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet B
Chassis#: 169350
Sold for USD$577,500
  2018 Mecum : Monterey
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Sport Cabriolet A by Sindelfingen
Chassis#: 154146
Sold for USD$2,585,000
  2017 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet C
Chassis#: 154062
Sold for USD$1,072,500
  2016 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  
1937 MERCEDES-BENZ 540K CABRIOLET A Coachwork by Sindelfingen
Chassis#: 154083
Sold for USD$2,970,000
  2016 Bonhams : The Amelia Island Auction
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster by Sindelfingen
Chassis#: 130894
Sold for USD$9,900,000
  2016 RM Sothebys : Arizona
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Sports Saloon
Chassis#: 169341
Sold for USD$797,307
  2013 Bonhams - The Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale
 
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster Model
Sold for USD$34,500
  2012 RM - Milhous Collection, Fla
 
1937 Mercedes 540 K cabriolet B 1937
Sold for USD$646,491
  2012 Artcurial Motorcars at Rétromobile
 
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet 'C'
Chassis#: 236583
Sold for USD$667,000
  2012 Bonhams - The Scottsdale Sale, Az
 
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet A - Coachwork by Sindelfingen
Sold for USD$1,350,079
  2011 Coys - A217 True Greats
 
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Spezial Roadster by Sindelfingen
Chassis#: 154140
Sold for USD$9,680,000
  2011 RM Auctions at Monterey
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet A by Factory Sindelfingen
Chassis#: 154081
Sold for USD$1,996,988
  2011 RM Auctions - Villa d'Este
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet C
Chassis#: 169312
Sold for USD$612,630
  2011 Bonhams - Automobilia, Motos de collection et Automobiles d'exception au Grand Palais
 

Mercedes-Benz 540Ks That Failed To Sell At Auction

1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster1540802023 Mecum : 2023 Monterey$2,600,000$3,500,000$4,500,000
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster1540802021 Mecum : Monterey   
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster 2021 Mecum : Kissimmee   
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster 2020 Mecum : Indy   
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet B1693672020 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais $650,000$750,000
1937 MERCEDES-BENZ 540K SPORT CABRIOLET A1541462016 Bonhams : Greenwich Concours d'Elegance Auction   
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Sport Cabriolet A by Sindelfingen1541462015 RM Auctions Automobiles of Arizona$3,100,000$3,400,000$4,000,000

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1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K

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