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1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K background image

1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet C

  • Chassis Number: 154062
  • Engine Number: 154062
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Navigation
The Mercedes-Benz 540K, introduced at the Paris Salon in October of 1936, was a road-going vehicle capable of 100 mph. They were built upon the success of the earlier S-Type and 500 K models. Power was sourced from a 5.4-liter supercharged straight-eight engine, a configuration inspired by the Grand Prix Silver Arrows. The Roots supercharger was engaged manually or when the driver floored the throttle. With the compressor engaged, the alternative atmospheric intake to the carburetor was closed, and power was boosted from 115 bhp to 180 bhp. Along with the supercharger, the 540K had servo-assisted hydraulic brakes, an independent suspension, and a four-speed gearbox with a direct top gear. Most Mercedes wore coachwork assembled in Stuttgart, at the Sindelfingen works. Many different chassis and body styles were offered, including four different cabriolet designs.

The Cabriolet C body style was elegant, with two large doors, sweeping fenders, and accommodation for five occupants. In total, just 419 examples of the 540 K were produced, with 97 of those in 1936. Of the 32 Cabriolet Cs built, it is believed that six to eight were finished with a 'steep rear,' or sloped back.

This particular example, chassis number 154062, was delivered new under production order number 233717 on October 26th of 1936, to Souheur & Chappuis, the Mercedes-Benz dealer in Brussels. A British individual acquired it in January of 1937.

The car's early history is not fully known, but by the early 1970s, it was owned by the Specialty Cars Store Inc., of Warrendale, PA. It was acquired in January of 1975 by Margaret B. Cowan, of Colorado Springs, Colorado. By the early 1980s, it had become part of the Imperial Palace Collection in Las Vegas. Shortly thereafter, it came into the care of a private collection in Japan.
In the early 2000s, the car returned to the United States and into the care of Cave Creek Classics of Cave Creek, Arizona. The current owner acquired it from the Cave Creek Classics.

In 2016, the car was offered for sale at Gooding & Company's auction held in Pebble Beach, CA where it had an estimated value of $1.2 -$1.4 million. As bidding came to a close, it had been sold for $1,072,500 including buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2016
With six feet of hood separating the driver from the front of the Mercedes 540K, there had to be something important under all that elegantly styled sheet metal. In this case, it was a legend - and an enormous engine. The early thirties saw Daimler-Benz begin to design high-speed touring cars, culminating in 1936 in the construction of the 540K. The eight-cylinder, 5.4-liter, big-bore engine was supercharged - the 'K' designation stands for Kompressor - and engaging; it rewarded drivers with a distinctive note from the 540K's whinnying blower. The steering was stiff at lower speeds, but one look at the hody (there were nine options from which to choose) made it clear that speed would never be a problem. The car was one of the first to employ four-wheel independent suspension. The transmission is an unsynchronized four-speed manual; the car has a top speed of 105 mph. This example was found in Japan and brought to the United States in 2004, where it was completely restored to its original condition.

2016 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,200,000-USD $1,400,000 
Sale Price :
USD $1,072,500

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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