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1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K Cabriolet Tourer A

The Mercedes-Benz 500K caused a sensation at the 1934 Berlin Motor Show. Together with its successor, the 540K, the magnificent Mercedes-Benz 500K was arguably the most important production model sold by the Stuttgart firm during the 1930s. Powered by a 5018cc supercharged straight-eight engine with a Roots-type supercharger, it was the supercar of its day. Although the 500K chassis was bodied by all of the best coachbuilders, the companies own Sindelfingen coachwork left little room for improvement.

This example, a 500K Cabriolet A, is the work of Hermann Ahrens, chief designer at Mercedes-Benz. Its body is described by Mercedes-Benz as an Offener Tourenwagen body, which - in literal translation - means a four-passenger open tourer. It has a sporty appearance with long fenders and a low-slung beltline under its fabric top. By the time this body style was introduced, open cars were steadily declining and it is estimated that around 16 examples of the Offener Tourenwagen were produced on the 500 K chassis.


This example was delivered by the Daimler-Benz branch in Munich on 19 November 1935, carrying engine number 123724 and Sindelfingen body number 814102. Its early history is not known but in 1951 it was discovered in Germany by Dr. Ralph W.E. Cox Jr. He was able to purchase the car from its owner, a Mr. Unholzer, and driven to Paris, then to the port at Le Havre, from which it was shipped to New York and eventually home to New Jersey. Years later, after Dr. Cox opened the Frontier Village Museum at the Cape May, New Jersey airport, the 500 K was exhibited for many years. It was later transferred to the Museum of Automobiles at Petit Jean Mountain in Arkansas, where it remained on exhibit until finally being sold by Dr. Cox's heirs in early 2014 to the current caretaker.

Dr. Cox's son treated this car to a (mostly cosmetic) restoration in the early 1990s. The car remains in very original order. Since then, a comprehensive fresh restoration was undertaken and finished in this color scheme of medium oak green with a tan leather interior and corresponding green canvas top. It retains several distinguishing features, including Bosch headlamps, fog light, and dual horns, and a Munich-built Hopako touring trunk, which has been with the car since it was found in 1951 and perhaps earlier, and contains a two-piece set of fitted luggage.

The engine appears to be original with the original engine number tag and stamping, and the original body is still visible stamped into the body near a front frame rail.

In 2016, this car was put on display at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where it won a Class award. It was also displayed at that year's Forest Grove Concours d'Elegance, where it was the poster car, Best in Class, and Best of Show.

2017 RM Sothebys : Monterey

Sale Price :
USD $1,540,000

1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Mercedes-Benz 500K

(Data based on Model Year 1936 sales)
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Normal Roadster by Sindelfingen
Chassis#: 130857
Sold for USD$1,270,000
  2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K Touring Phaeton
Chassis#: 113696
Sold for USD$1,215,000
  2018 Bonhams : Quail Lodge
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Offener Tourenwagen by Sindelfingen
Chassis#: 123724
Sold for USD$1,540,000
  2017 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K Sports Phaeton
Chassis#: 209421
Sold for USD$1,430,000
  2014 Bonhams - The Scottsdale Auction
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K
Chassis#: 130878
Sold for USD$1,045,000
  2008 Gooding & Company
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K Cabriolet A
Chassis#: 105383
Sold for USD$1,287,987
  2008 Bonhams - Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles Automobiles d'Exception
 
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K Marlene Replica Kit
Sold for USD$13,500
  2007 Mecum - Kansas City High Performance Auction
 
1936 MERCEDES 500 K REPLICA
Sold for USD$20,500
  2007 Palm Springs Exotic Car Auctions - February 23-25, 2007
 
1936 MERCEDES-BENZ 500K RE-CREATION ROADSTER
Sold for USD$9,460
  2004 Barrett-Jackson - Petersen Museum 2004
 
1936 MERCEDES-BENZ 500 K RECREATION
Sold for USD$20,000
  2001 Kruse Auction - Dallas, TX
 

Mercedes-Benz 500Ks That Failed To Sell At Auction

1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1936 MERCEDES-BENZ 500K OFFENER TOURENWAGEN2094212020 Bonhams : Quail Motorcar Auction $2,000,000$2,500,000
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet C1308852019 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach $800,000$1,000,000
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500 K cabriolet B1309012019 Artcurial : Retroobile $600,000$800,000
1936 MERCEDES-BENZ 500K SPORTS ROADSTER1308572016 Bonhams The MercedesBenz Sale $2,700,000$3,500,000
1936 MERCEDES 500 K REPLICA SPECIAL ROADSTER 2016 McCormick's Palm Springs # 60$32,500  
1936 MERCEDES 500 K REPLICA SPECIAL ROADSTER 2016 McCormick's Auction # 60$32,500  
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet C2150112013 RM Auction London$650,000  
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K 2009 Sports & Classics of Monterey$425,000$500,000$600,000
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K Three-Position Drophead Coupe 2008 Automobiles of London$275,000$300,000$350,000
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K 2008 Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook$475,000$600,000$750,000
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500k Replica Convertible 2007 RM Auctions Toronto International Fall Classic Car Auction$19,000  

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1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K vehicle thumbnail image  1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K vehicle thumbnail image  
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1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K vehicle thumbnail image  
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1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K vehicle thumbnail image  1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K vehicle thumbnail image  
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1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K

Additional valuation insight and sales data
History
Specifications
Image gallery
Other Mercedes-Benz 500K model years

1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K Vehicle Profiles

1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K vehicle information
Drophead Coupe
Chassis #: 130857
Engine #: 130857
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K vehicle information
Special Roadster
Coachwork: Sindelfingen
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K vehicle information
Cabriolet Tourer A
Coachwork: Sindelfingen
Designer: Hermann Ahrens
Chassis #: 123724
Engine #: 123724
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K vehicle information
Special Roadster
Coachwork: Sindelfingen
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K vehicle information
Three-Position Drophead Coupe
Coachwork: Corsica
Chassis #: 113622
Engine #: 113622