The Mercedes-Benz 540K improved upon its predecessor, the 500 K, with a more powerful 180-horsepower supercharged engine on a longer 3,250-millimeter chassis. The larger platform and more potent engine allowed even more elaborate and luxurious coachwork, including the factory bodies created at Sindelfingen. The long hood was complemented by sweeping fenders, curvaceous lines, and modern styling elements. Sindelfingen's coachwork was produced in three distinctive series, with the 'second series' being the first truly created for the chassis, sharing little with the coachwork applied to the 500 K.
This particular 540K wears Cabriolet B by Sindelfingen, with a sloping, smooth rear deck and deeply skirted fenders. It was completed in 1937 and had been intended for Scandinavia, but was instead routed to a German client. Kores Company A.G. placed the order on February 2nd, 1938, but canceled on March 3rd. The order was reassigned to Markische Baugesellschaft of Berline on April 13th.
More recently, the car was given a restoration and later acquired by Jose Miguel Rodrigues of Gemunde, Portugal. The current caretaker acquired the car in 2013.By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2023
This particular 540K wears Cabriolet B by Sindelfingen, with a sloping, smooth rear deck and deeply skirted fenders. It was completed in 1937 and had been intended for Scandinavia, but was instead routed to a German client. Kores Company A.G. placed the order on February 2nd, 1938, but canceled on March 3rd. The order was reassigned to Markische Baugesellschaft of Berline on April 13th.
More recently, the car was given a restoration and later acquired by Jose Miguel Rodrigues of Gemunde, Portugal. The current caretaker acquired the car in 2013.By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2023
2023 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $900,000-USD $1,200,000
Sale Price :
USD $775,000
2020 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais
Pre-Auction Estimates :
€650,000-€750,000
Lot was not sold
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Mercedes-Benz 540K
(Data based on Model Year 1937 sales)
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet B by Sindelfingen Chassis#: 169367 Sold for USD$775,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | ![]() ![]() |
1937 MERCEDES-BENZ 540 K SPORT CABRIOLET A Chassis#: 154084 Sold for USD$3,085,000 2022 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | ![]() ![]() |
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster by Sindelfingen Chassis#: 154075 Sold for USD$9,905,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
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 Cabriolet B Chassis#: 169350 Sold for USD$577,500 2018 Mecum : Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
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 540 K Cabriolet C Chassis#: 154062 Sold for USD$1,072,500 2016 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | ![]() ![]() |
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 540 K Special Roadster by Sindelfingen Chassis#: 130894 Sold for USD$9,900,000 2016 RM Sothebys : Arizona | ![]() ![]() |
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 Cabriolet A by Factory Sindelfingen Chassis#: 154081 Sold for USD$1,996,988 2011 RM Auctions - Villa d'Este | ![]() ![]() |
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 | |
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Sport Cabriolet A Sold for USD$2,145,000 2010 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auctions | ![]() ![]() |
Mercedes-Benz 540Ks That Failed To Sell At Auction
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster | 154080 | 2023 Mecum : Monterey | $2,600,000 | $3,500,000 | $4,500,000 |
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster | 154080 | 2021 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 B | 169367 | 2020 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais | $650,000 | $750,000 | |
1937 MERCEDES-BENZ 540K SPORT CABRIOLET A | 154146 | 2016 Bonhams : Greenwich Concours d'Elegance Auction | |||
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Sport Cabriolet A by Sindelfingen | 154146 | 2015 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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