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1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K background image

1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K Spezial Cabriolet A

  • Coachwork by Sindelfingen
  • Chassis Number: 408371
  • Engine Number: 408371
1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K Navigation
Between 1936 and 1940, Mercedes-Benz produced a total of 419 540Ks - named for the powerful 5.4-liter straight-eight engine. A number of standard bodies were offered by the marque's Sindelfingen factory, including various Cabriolets and a Special Roadster - but this particular 540K bears a Special Cabriolet A commissioned by a client in Paris and combining the classic line of a cabriolet with the raked V windshield of the roadster, lengthening its look and emphasizing the powerful thrust of the front fenders. There is just one other Special Cabriolet A, and it is on a 500K. The car has had several well-known owners, including American operatic tenor James Melton, Tom Barrett and General William Lyon. Los Angeles Times publisher Otis Chandler purchased it in the early 1970s, had it restored by Richard Martin, and showed it at the 1973 Concours. At the time it was a lively two-tone green. Its livery changed to bright red during a later restoration. It returned to the Pebble Beach Concours in 2021 in the care of Don Williams of the Blackhawk Collection.
The chassis and engine for this Mercedes-Benz was delivered under kommission number 311463 to a client in Paris on April 29th of 1939. It was given Cabriolet A bodywork by the factory with special instructions that included to give it a raked vee'd windshield, a feature found on the Spezial Roadsters of the period. Just one other similar example of a Spezial Cabriolet, produced on a 500 K chassis, is known to exist. It was given fitted luggage and a five-speed transmission.

Early in its existence, it was sent to the United States with its earliest known post-war owner being American operatic tenor James Melton. The car remained with him until shortly before his passing in 1961, being one of the last cars to leave his stable. After about a decade it was purchased by Otis Chandler. The 540 K was restored for Chandler by Richard Martin in time for the 1973 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. It was finished in two-tone green livery and earned top honors in its class and went on to win the Best of Show award.

The car was later purchased from Mr. Chandler by Tom Barrett for his client, Axel Wars. When the Wars collection was dispersed in the early 1980s, the Spezial Cabriolet A was purchased by General William Lyon where it remained for nearly a decade.

In the early 1990s, the car was restored again by Mike Fennel of Saugas, California where it was given its present livery of bright scarlet, with tan leather upholstery and a tan cloth top. It then joined the present owner's collection, where it has remained for two decades.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2016

2024 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $2,000,000-USD $2,400,000 
Sale Price :
USD $2,205,000

2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,750,000-USD $2,500,000 
Sale Price :
USD $1,765,000

2021 Bonhams : The Scottsdale Auction

Lot was not sold

2016 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $3,000,000-USD $4,000,000 
High Bid (Lot was not sold)
USD $2,800,000

1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Mercedes-Benz 540K

(Data based on Model Year 1939 sales)
1939 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet A Conversion
Chassis#: 408420
Sold for USD$566,000
  2024 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  
1939 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Cabriolet A by Sindelfingen
Chassis#: 408371
Sold for USD$2,205,000
  2024 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami
1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  
1939 MERCEDES-BENZ 540K CABRIOLET A-BODY CONVERSION
Chassis#: 540408420
Sold for USD$533,500
  2023 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Az.
 
1939 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet A by Sindelfingen
Chassis#: 408388
Sold for USD$1,435,000
  2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  
1939 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Cabriolet A by Sindelfingen
Chassis#: 408371
Sold for USD$1,765,000
  2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  
1939 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet A
Chassis#: 408386
Sold for USD$1,794,074
  2019 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais
 
1939 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster by Sindelfingen
Chassis#: 408383
Sold for USD$6,600,000
  2017 RM Sotheby's : Arizona Auction
1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  
1939 MERCEDES-BENZ 540K WITH 'CABRIOLET A' BODY CONVERSION
Chassis#: 540408420
Sold for USD$1,485,000
  2016 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, AZ
 
1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster by Sindelfingen
Chassis#: 408383
Sold for USD$7,480,000
  2013 RM Auctions - Monterey
1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  
1939 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Spezial Roadster by Sindelfingen
Chassis#: 408383
Sold for USD$4,620,000
  2011 RM Auctions at Monterey
1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K image  

Mercedes-Benz 540Ks That Failed To Sell At Auction

1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1939 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Sindelfingen Spezial Roadster4083832022 Broad Arrow Auctions : Monterey Jet Center Auction $7,000,000$8,000,000
1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Cabriolet A4083712021 Bonhams : The Scottsdale Auction   
1939 MERCEDES-BENZ 540K CABRIOLET A4083882016 Bonhams The MercedesBenz Sale $2,000,000$2,600,000
1939 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Spezial Cabriolet A by Sindelfingen4083712016 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island$2,800,000$3,000,000$4,000,000

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1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K

Additional valuation insight and sales data
History
Specifications
Image gallery
Other Mercedes-Benz 540K model years

1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K Vehicle Profiles

1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K vehicle information
Spezial Cabriolet A
Coachwork: Sindelfingen
Chassis #: 408388
Engine #: 408388
1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K vehicle information
Spezial Cabriolet A
Coachwork: Sindelfingen
Chassis #: 408371
Engine #: 408371
1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K vehicle information
Spezial Roadster
Coachwork: Sindelfingen
Chassis #: 408383
Engine #: 408383
1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K vehicle information
Autobahn Kurier
Chassis #: B-69475
Engine #: 154083
1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K vehicle information
SWB Roadster
Chassis #: 408420
Engine #: 408420

Vehicle information, history, and specifications from concept to production.