Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).

1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K background image

1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster

  • Coachwork by Sindelfingen
  • Chassis Number: 130894
  • Engine Number: 130894
  • Body Number: 200335
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Navigation
Mercedes-Benz began producing a line of large and fast grand touring cars beginning in 1932. The 540K model was offered from 1936 to 1938 and was the design work of Hermann Ahrens and built to order by Karrosserie Sindelfingen (a Mercedes-Benz in-house coach building subsidiary).

This roadster is powered by a 180 hp, 5,401 cc OHV inline eight-cylinder engine with driver-activated Roots-type supercharger and twin updraft pressurized carburetors. It is coupled to a four-speed manual transmission with synchromesh on third and a dog clutch on fourth, independent wishbone coil front suspension, independent swing-arm rear suspension and four-wheel servo-assisted hydraulic drum brakes. It rides on a 128 in. wheelbase. Just 419 chassis were built, and of those, only 26 carried the longtail Spezial Roadster coachwork.

Mercedes-Benz began producing a line of large and fast grand touring cars beginning in 1932. The 540K model was offered from 1936 to 1938 and was the design work of Hermann Ahrens and built to order by Karrosserie Sindelfingen (a Mercedes-Benz in-house coach building subsidiary).

This roadster is powered by a 180 hp, 5,401 cc OHV inline eight-cylinder engine with driver-activated Roots-type supercharger and twin updraft pressurized carburetors. It is coupled to a four-speed manual transmission with synchromesh on third and a dog clutch on fourth, independent wishbone coil front suspension, independent swing-arm rear suspension and four-wheel servo-assisted hydraulic drum brakes. It rides on a 128 in. wheelbase. Just 419 chassis were built, and of those, only 26 carried the longtail 'Spezial Roadster' coachwork.

This 540K was displayed at the Deutschland Ausstellung in 1936. It was originally finished in an early metallic called Fischsilberbraun; this effect was achieved using ground fish scales to obtain the subtle shine. The 540K was then shipped to America and purchased through New York concessionaire Mitropa Motors by Reginald Sinclaire of Colorado. A World War I aviator, automobile enthusiast, and heir to the Corning Glass empire, Sinclaire kept the car until 1955, even driving it to an early meet of the Horseless Carriage Club of America. It passed through a series of known owners, having accrued only 10,277 original miles on the odometer when acquired by its current steward, who has restored it back to its original colors.

2016 RM Sothebys : Arizona

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $10,000,000-USD $13,000,000 
Sale Price :
USD $9,900,000

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 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

Vehicles With Comparable Market Values

Similar sales to the $2,680,281 range.
2022 Aston Martin Valkyrie Coupé
Chassis#:SCF4KRB44NGS70090
Sold for $2,648,750
2024 RM Sothebys : Dubai
1989 Ferrari F40
Chassis#:ZFFGJ34B000083052
Sold for $2,557,701
2024 RM Sothebys : London
1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda Convertible
Chassis#:bs27r0b305097
Sold for $2,576,000
2024 Mecum : Monterey
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K vehicle thumbnail image  1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K vehicle thumbnail image  
1968 Ferrari 365 GTC by Pininfarina
Chassis#:11823
Sold for $2,810,000
2024 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1972 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV
Chassis#:5048
Sold for $2,700,000
2024 Broad Arrow : Monterey
1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C by Scaglietti
Chassis#:08577
Sold for $2,754,251
2024 RM Sothebys : The Tegernsee Auction
2021 Lamborghini Sian
Chassis#:ZHWUJ7ZD6MLA10477
Sold for $2,645,000
2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia
1931 DUESENBERG MODEL J DISAPPEARING-TOP CONVERTIBLE COUPE
Chassis#:2365
Sold for $2,645,000
2024 Gooding : Amelia Island
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K vehicle thumbnail image  1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K vehicle thumbnail image  
2021 Koenigsegg Regera
Chassis#:YT9NN1E11MA007233
Sold for $2,631,069
2024 RM Sothebys : Paris
The First and Last Corvette L88 Offering
Chassis#:u78
Sold for $2,585,000
2024 Mecum : Kissimmee
1994 Ferrari 512 TR Spider
Chassis#:ZFFLA4C000097310
Sold for $2,756,343
2023 RM Sothebys : London
1953 FERRARI 166 MM/53 SPIDER
Chassis#:0328 M/0308 M
Sold for $2,730,691
2023 Gooding & Company : London Auction
1956 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Coupe Series I by Pinin Farina
Chassis#:0497 SA
Sold for $2,810,000
2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K vehicle thumbnail image  1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K vehicle thumbnail image  
1964 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso Berlinetta
Chassis#:5695
Sold for $2,810,000
2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K vehicle thumbnail image  1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K vehicle thumbnail image  
2019 Ferrari Monza SP1
Chassis#:ZFF94MSB000250235
Sold for $2,622,550
2023 RM Sothebys : Villa Erba
1953 Maserati A6GCS/53 Spyder by Fantuzzi
Chassis#:2053
Sold for $2,590,000
2023 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K vehicle thumbnail image  1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K vehicle thumbnail image  
2020 McLaren Speedtail
Chassis#:SBM23GDG5LW403030
Sold for $2,584,837
2023 RM Sothebys : Paris
1989 FERRARI F40
Chassis#:ZFFGJ34B000080782
Sold for $2,750,000
2023 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Az.
1936 Duesenberg Model J Rollston Convertible Berline
Chassis#:J586
Sold for $2,695,000
2022 Mecum : Monterey
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K vehicle thumbnail image  1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K vehicle thumbnail image  
1965 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C by Scaglietti
Chassis#:06779
Sold for $2,810,000
2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K vehicle thumbnail image  

1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K

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

1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Vehicle Profiles

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