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1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Navigation
The Mercedes-Benz 540K was arguably the pinnacle of pre-war achievements by the Stuttgart firm. It shared an independently suspended chassis with the preceding 500K; power came from a 5.4-liter supercharged straight-eight engine. With a top speed of nearly 110 mph, Sindelfingen (a Mercedes-Benz in-house coach building subsidiary) coachwork were equally impressive and luxurious.
Mercedes-Benz produced 97 examples of the 540K in 136, 145 in 1937, 95 in 1938 and 69 in 1939 before the war ended series production (though three more were built up to July 1942). When new, numerous examples were delivered to the United Kingdom, including this car. It was Order Commission number 236582 for Mr. Embiricos.
Andre M. Embiricos was a shipping and banking magnate and contested LeMans no fewer than 3 times in the post war era. Embiricos is also remembered for a unique Bentley Aerodynamic Coupe designed by Georges Paulin and built by Pourtout.
Andre had a cousin, Nicholas, who also carved a path in the automotive spectrum by racing both a Bugatti Type 53 and an ERA. It is not confirmed, but seems more likely that it was Nicholas Embiricos who owned the Mercedes as he was a resident in England in the late 1930s. Within a few short years after emigrating to America in 1941 he sadly met his demise in an air accident in Rhode Island.
This two seater cabriolet is more aerodynamic and low slung that its predecessor. The radiator is set a full 6 inches behind the centre line of the front wheels, has a super low windshield and top, with a single extra wheel placed on the swept back tail.
By 1940 the car had passed through Mercedes-Benz of Great Britain to S. Pettit of Pulborough in the Sussex county in the UK and then to a Haulage contractor in 1944. At the time it was listed as being in 'almost new' condition. It was finished in white with pigskin upholstery and had a patent leather roof.
By the 1980s the car had migrated to America and soon acquired by Don Williams of the Blackhawk Collection. While in his care, the car was given a sympathetic and exacting restoration of the bodywork brought it to the jet black scheme it wears today. The interior was refurbished in a parchment hide, and remains complete and correct with its luggage stowed behind the two seats. The odometer shows just a single digit, meaning it has seen little use since the restoration was completed.By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2018
Mercedes-Benz produced 97 examples of the 540K in 136, 145 in 1937, 95 in 1938 and 69 in 1939 before the war ended series production (though three more were built up to July 1942). When new, numerous examples were delivered to the United Kingdom, including this car. It was Order Commission number 236582 for Mr. Embiricos.
Andre M. Embiricos was a shipping and banking magnate and contested LeMans no fewer than 3 times in the post war era. Embiricos is also remembered for a unique Bentley Aerodynamic Coupe designed by Georges Paulin and built by Pourtout.
Andre had a cousin, Nicholas, who also carved a path in the automotive spectrum by racing both a Bugatti Type 53 and an ERA. It is not confirmed, but seems more likely that it was Nicholas Embiricos who owned the Mercedes as he was a resident in England in the late 1930s. Within a few short years after emigrating to America in 1941 he sadly met his demise in an air accident in Rhode Island.
This two seater cabriolet is more aerodynamic and low slung that its predecessor. The radiator is set a full 6 inches behind the centre line of the front wheels, has a super low windshield and top, with a single extra wheel placed on the swept back tail.
By 1940 the car had passed through Mercedes-Benz of Great Britain to S. Pettit of Pulborough in the Sussex county in the UK and then to a Haulage contractor in 1944. At the time it was listed as being in 'almost new' condition. It was finished in white with pigskin upholstery and had a patent leather roof.
By the 1980s the car had migrated to America and soon acquired by Don Williams of the Blackhawk Collection. While in his care, the car was given a sympathetic and exacting restoration of the bodywork brought it to the jet black scheme it wears today. The interior was refurbished in a parchment hide, and remains complete and correct with its luggage stowed behind the two seats. The odometer shows just a single digit, meaning it has seen little use since the restoration was completed.By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2018
2016 Bonhams : The Amelia Island Auction
Sale Price :
USD $2,970,000
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 540 K Cabriolet B by Sindelfingen Chassis#: 169367 Sold for USD$775,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | ![]() ![]() |
1937 MERCEDES-BENZ 540 K SPORT CABRIOLET A Chassis#: 154084 Sold for USD$3,085,000 2022 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | ![]() ![]() |
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster by Sindelfingen Chassis#: 154075 Sold for USD$9,905,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
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 Cabriolet B Chassis#: 169350 Sold for USD$577,500 2018 Mecum : Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
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 540 K Cabriolet C Chassis#: 154062 Sold for USD$1,072,500 2016 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | ![]() ![]() |
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 540 K Special Roadster by Sindelfingen Chassis#: 130894 Sold for USD$9,900,000 2016 RM Sothebys : Arizona | ![]() ![]() |
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 Cabriolet A by Factory Sindelfingen Chassis#: 154081 Sold for USD$1,996,988 2011 RM Auctions - Villa d'Este | ![]() ![]() |
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.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster | 154080 | 2023 Mecum : 2023 Monterey | $2,600,000 | $3,500,000 | $4,500,000 |
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster | 154080 | 2021 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 B | 169367 | 2020 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais | $650,000 | $750,000 | |
1937 MERCEDES-BENZ 540K SPORT CABRIOLET A | 154146 | 2016 Bonhams : Greenwich Concours d'Elegance Auction | |||
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Sport Cabriolet A by Sindelfingen | 154146 | 2015 RM Auctions Automobiles of Arizona | $3,100,000 | $3,400,000 | $4,000,000 |
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1931 DUESENBERG MODEL J DISAPPEARING-TOP CONVERTIBLE COUPE Chassis#:2365 Sold for $2,645,000 2024 Gooding : Amelia Island | ![]() ![]() |
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1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K
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