1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster

This Mercedes-Benz is one of just three 540K Long-Tail Special Roadsters with covered spare surviving in the world today. The 540K was bodied by the factory's in-house coachworks, Sindelfingen of Germany, which conceived this glorious 'long-tail, high-door' coachwork with flamboyant sweeping lines, skirted fenders, and a covered spare cached into the rear deck-lid. This 540K was first delivered to King Mohammed Zahir Shah of Afghanistan, in Kabul, in September 1937, when he was just 23. It was stored at the Afghan embassy in Paris during World War II, and then gifted to the King's son-in-law, who drove it around London until 1952. In 1953, the Roadster emigrated to the United States, underwent a restoration, and following residence in various prestigious collections, came into the stewardship of the current owner in 2022.

The King of Afghanistan ordered this Mercedes-Benz in May of 1937 and was delivered to him in Kabul in September 1937. During World War II, the 540 K was sent to France and stored at the Afghanistan Embassy in Paris, where it remained until 1948. After the war, the car was given to his son-in-law, who brought it to England in 1950 and drove it only occasionally in London until 1952. During the summer of 1953, it was sold to Chipstead Motors, Limited in London where it was acquired by Mr. A.W. Giles of England for Mr. Vernon D. Jarvis, on December 22, 1953. It was shipped from London to Jacksonville, Florida, and into Mr. Javis' growing collection of Full Classic automobiles. It was exhibited for three decades at the Early American Museum, built by Jarvis in Florida.

Robert Bahre became the car's next custodian in 1986 when he acquired the entire contents of the Early American Museum. A short time later, it was purchased by its current owners.

The Mercedes currently wears its two-tone maroon finish and 'new' floor mats, top cover, and leather seat upholstery. Although the odometer has been reset and currently displays 883 miles, it is believed to have traveled less than 13,000 miles.

The car remains largely untouched and undisturbed, with only minor cosmetic finishes. It retains all of its original mechanical components and the factory Typenshield and Kommission tags. In the past seven decades, it has had only five private owners.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2022