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1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K background image

1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K Cabriolet A

  • Chassis Number: 105384
  • Engine Number: 105384
  • Style Number: 105384
  • Body Number: 817605
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K Navigation
The Daimler Motor Company and Benz & Company joined forces in 1926. That same year, they introduced the Mercedes-Benz brand. Ferdinand Porsche had joined Daimler in 1923 and he developed models that featured large displacement inline engines with superchargers. This was denoted in model names by adding a 'K' for kompressor. The supercharger was engaged by fully depressing the accelerator.

The 500K was introduced in 1934 at the Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (commonly referred to as the Berline Motor Show). It would be offered in eight body styles. These luxury models featured safety glass, electric windshield wipers and door locks as well as custom luggage. They were considered the fastest production car of their time, capable of 100 mph.

The Mercedes-Benz 500K was produced along the 380 K until the end of 1934, when the 380 was phased out. The 500K was produced from 1934 through 1935 and of the 354 vehicles produced, only 229 were the cabriolets. It is believed that of 33 500K Cabriolet A's built only 11 remain.

It has a top speed of about 100 mph and is powered by a 160 horsepower, inline 8 cylinder, supercharged engine coupled to a 4-speed manual transmission. The 5,130 pound vehicle rides on a four-wheel independent coil-spring suspension and is stopped via hydraulic power brakes.

Records indicate that the car was commissioned by Adolf Busch, of Hamburg, Germany and was logged under kommission number 12847 and eventually given chassis 105384. This Spezial Roadster has long sweeping fenders, louvers on the top and sides of the hood, flexible exhaust, driver side spotlight, stacked spare wheels on the rear deck, and a leather bonnet strap.

In 1937 it was part of a motor pool of the German Consul to India. On October 31, 1938, the ownership of the car was reassigned to Dr. Gavin, who was reportedly a director at Mercedes-Benz. The factory further confirms it was upgraded to a 540K engine in 1938 and stamped with original engine numbers. The upgrade increased the torque and brought horsepower to 180.

During the Second World War, the car was lost until discovered in Paris in 1953 where it was purchased by a U.S. Air Force Captain named Dean Weihe. Mr. Weihe imported the car into the United States in 1961 and began performing a cosmetic restoration, which was completed around 1964. Mr. Weihe retained the car at his home in Florida until finally selling it in the late 1980s or early 1990s. It was purchased by another Floridian who took the car with him while traveling overseas.

The car was reported to be largely original, but in 1999, the purchaser commissioned restorer Francois Cointreau, of France, to perform a high-quality concours restoration. Between 2000 and 2001, Riefen-Wagner, of Landshut, Germany, performed all of the mechanical overhaul work.

The current owner purchased the car around 2006. In 2009, it was driven on a rigorous 100-mile journey through the mountain roads of the Colorado Grand.

2015 RM Sotheby's : Amelia Island

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $2,900,000-USD $3,500,000 
Sale Price :
USD $3,025,000

1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Mercedes-Benz 500K

(Data based on Model Year 1935 sales)
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K 'Caracciola' Special Coupe by Sindelfingen
Chassis#: 113718
Sold for USD$4,130,000
  2024 RM Sothebys : The Junkyard : Rudi Klein Collection
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Normal Roadster by Sindelfingen
Chassis#: 123692
Sold for USD$1,655,000
  2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet A
Chassis#: 105379
Sold for USD$1,710,000
  2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  
1937 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet C by Sindelfingen
Chassis#: 113715
Sold for USD$692,500
  2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet by Saoutchik
Chassis#: 123696
Sold for USD$1,710,000
  2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Three-Position Roadster by Windovers
Chassis#: 123699
Sold for USD$1,600,000
  2021 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island Auction
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K Cabriolet A
Chassis#: 123779
Sold for USD$1,766,009
  2020 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais
 
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Roadster
Chassis#: 105380
Sold for USD$5,916,336
  2016 Bonhams : The Chantilly Sale
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  
1935 MERCEDES-BENZ 500K 'SPECIAL ROADSTER'
Chassis#: 113688
Sold for USD$1,221,346
  2015 Bonhams : The Frederiksen Auction
 
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500/540 K Cabriolet A by Sindelfingen
Chassis#: 105384
Sold for USD$3,025,000
  2015 RM Sotheby's : Amelia Island
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet A
Chassis#: 105379
Sold for USD$2,750,000
  2013 Gooding and Company - The Scottsdale Auction
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Roadster by Sindelfingen
Chassis#: 105380
Sold for USD$3,767,500
  2011 RM Auctions at Monterey
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K Special Cabriolet
Chassis#: 130859
Sold for USD$1,418,725
  2007 RM Auctions - Automobiles of London
 
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500/540K
Sold for USD$1,650,000
  2006 Worldwide Auctions - Houston Classic 2006
 

Mercedes-Benz 500Ks That Failed To Sell At Auction

1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Normal Roadster by Sindelfingen1236922022 RM Sothebys : Monterey $1,400,000$1,800,000
1935 MERCEDES-BENZ 500K CABRIOLET A1137172016 Bonhams : Quail Lodge $2,200,000$2,600,000
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500k Cabriolet C1137152016 Bonhams : The Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale $550,000$650,000
1935 MERCEDES-BENZ 500K CABRIOLET C1137152016 Bonhams The MercedesBenz Sale $620,000$930,000
1935 MERCEDES-BENZ 500 K CABRIOLET1236962016 Bonhams The MercedesBenz Sale $4,600,000$5,400,000
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500k Roadster1236862016 Motostalgia : Amelia Island Auction $1,900,000$2,250,000
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet by Windovers1136312012 Coys Blenheim Palace $280,000$350,000
1935 MERCEDES BENZ 500 K replicaCA9515692011 McCormicks Auction #50 Palm Springs CA$19,500  
1935 MERCEDES 500K REPLICACA9515692010 McCormick's Auction #49 Palm Springs, CA$18,500  
1935 Mercedes-Benz Nürburg 500 Landaulet10 113 5592007 Bonhams Les Grandes Marques a Monaco $300,000$400,000
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K Cabriolet B1136262005 Bonhams Sports, Competition & Collectors' Motor Cars, F1 Memorabilia, Automobilia & Models $140,000$160,000
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K Special Roadster 2003 Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island$2,275,000  

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1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K vehicle thumbnail image  1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K vehicle thumbnail image  

1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K

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