1934 Mercedes-Benz 500K

The 500K was largely attributed to engineer Hans Nibel and was first shown at the Berlin Auto Show in 1934. Production of the grand touring 2-passenger cabriolet continued through 1936 with a total of 33 produced, this being the only one with twin rear-mounted spare tires. The 500K was fitted with four-wheel independent suspension including double wishbones and coil springs up front with coil-spring axles at the rear - an industry first.

At its heart was a Rootes-supercharged 5.0-liter, 160 horsepower overhead valve inline 8-cylinder engine. Top speed was in excess of 100 mph, quite significant for the time. Most 500Ks were fitted with sumptuous coachwork at Mercedes' own Sindelfingen plant, like this example. The original owner of this car was Manfred Vonn Brauchitsch, a Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrow Grand Prix team driver.