1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K Roadster

Not unlike American manufacturers, Mercedes-Benz crafted some of its most beautiful automobiles during difficult economic times. The 500K was largely attributed to engineer Hans Nibel and was first show at the Berlin Auto Show in 1934. Designated model W29 by Mercedes-Benz, production continued through 1936. The luxurious car was blessed with four-wheel independent suspension including double wishbones and coil springs front and rear, with swing axles at the rear - an industry first. Its heart was a Roots-supercharged 5.0-liter/160 horsepower OHV inline eight-cylinder engine - thus its 500K designation.

Most 500K's were fitted with sumptuous coachwork by Mercedes-Benz in-house shop in Sindelfingen, such as this one-off example that was featured in the 1938 German movie 'Der Blaufuchs' (Blue Fox). While in Estonia in the late 1940s, it was fitted with a trailer hitch to haul firewood.

This unique roadster, built by the Mercedes-Benz Sindelfingen works, is the only 500K with these special louvers and unusual fenders and without doors. The 5-liter 500K was introduced in 1934 and was the fastest touring car of its day; journalists wrote about 'the sheer insolence of its great power.' With its independent suspension and supercharged engine, it set a trend that competitors were forced to try and follow. It is believed that this car was used in its early days for racing on circuits in Europe but thereafter it spent decades behind the Iron Curtain. After coming to the United States in 1987, it received a full restoration and was first shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 1991.