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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.
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 500 K Normal Roadster by Sindelfingen Chassis#: 123692 Sold for USD$1,655,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet A Chassis#: 105379 Sold for USD$1,710,000 2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center | ![]() ![]() |
1937 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet C by Sindelfingen Chassis#: 113715 Sold for USD$692,500 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet by Saoutchik Chassis#: 123696 Sold for USD$1,710,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
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 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 '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 500 K Cabriolet A Chassis#: 105379 Sold for USD$2,750,000 2013 Gooding and Company - The Scottsdale Auction | ![]() ![]() |
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 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.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Normal Roadster by Sindelfingen | 123692 | 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | $1,400,000 | $1,800,000 | |
1935 MERCEDES-BENZ 500K CABRIOLET A | 113717 | 2016 Bonhams : Quail Lodge | $2,200,000 | $2,600,000 | |
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500k Cabriolet C | 113715 | 2016 Bonhams : The Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale | $550,000 | $650,000 | |
1935 MERCEDES-BENZ 500K CABRIOLET C | 113715 | 2016 Bonhams The MercedesBenz Sale | $620,000 | $930,000 | |
1935 MERCEDES-BENZ 500 K CABRIOLET | 123696 | 2016 Bonhams The MercedesBenz Sale | $4,600,000 | $5,400,000 | |
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500k Roadster | 123686 | 2016 Motostalgia : Amelia Island Auction | $1,900,000 | $2,250,000 | |
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet by Windovers | 113631 | 2012 Coys Blenheim Palace | $280,000 | $350,000 | |
1935 MERCEDES BENZ 500 K replica | CA951569 | 2011 McCormicks Auction #50 Palm Springs CA | $19,500 | ||
1935 MERCEDES 500K REPLICA | CA951569 | 2010 McCormick's Auction #49 Palm Springs, CA | $18,500 | ||
1935 Mercedes-Benz Nürburg 500 Landaulet | 10 113 559 | 2007 Bonhams Les Grandes Marques a Monaco | $300,000 | $400,000 | |
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K Cabriolet B | 113626 | 2005 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 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $2,358,030 range.
1939 Bugatti Type 57 C Atalante by Gangloff Chassis#:57828 Sold for $2,370,000 2025 RM Sothebys : The Arizona Auction | |
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1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder Chassis#:550-0082 Sold for $2,305,609 2024 Bonhams : The Zoute Sale | |
1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.0 Chassis#:9114609106 Sold for $2,370,000 2024 RM Sothebys : Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
1964 Shelby 289 Cobra 'Snake Charmer' Chassis#:CSX 2227 Sold for $2,287,500 2024 RM Sothebys : Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
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1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#:198.042.7500510 Sold for $2,260,000 2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia | |
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1938 BUGATTI TYPE 57C ATALANTE Chassis#:57767 Sold for $2,260,000 2024 Gooding : Amelia Island | ![]() ![]() |
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1968 LAMBORGHINI MIURA P400 Chassis#:3378 Sold for $2,260,000 2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | ![]() ![]() |
1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic by Ghia Chassis#:106.000043 Sold for $2,260,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K
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