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1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K Three-Position Drophead Coupe

  • Coachwork by Corsica
  • Chassis Number: 113622
  • Engine Number: 113622
  • Registration Number: Order#20735
Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz had little interest in motorsports and both would leave their respective companies early. Due to failing health, Daimler left in 1896 and Benz in 1903 after a disagreement.

What is now known as Mercedes-Benz has a long history in motorsports which began with much support from Emile Jellinek. Austrian-born Jellinek was a Daimler agent, an entrepreneur, and the individual responsible for changing the name of the company to Mercedes (the name of his eleven-year-old daughter).

Jellinek's influence of the Mercedes cars included powerful engines, chain drive design, and sporty bodies. The Benz cars, in comparison, were relatively conservative and attracted many wealthy buyers and heads of state.

In the post-War era, Mercedes cars were still popular for racing. In 1921, new overhead camshaft cars were introduced. Two years later, they could be purchased with superchargers.

By 1926, a merger agreement between Mercedes and Benz & Cie was signed. The new company name was Daimler-Benz AG and their cars were designated Mercedes-Benz. The talents of both of these companies were joined, including engineers Hans Nibel and Friedrich Nallinger from Benz and Ferdinand Porsche of Daimler.

In 1926, a short-wheelbase Model K was introduced and this had some success in racing, though its high center of gravity was less-than-ideal. So Porsche designed the Typ S and fitted it with a six-cylinder engine that displaced 6800cc and produced 120 horsepower. A supercharger raised that figure to 180 bhp. The production lifespan of the Typ S would span 1926-1930. The SS Model soon followed with its 7065cc engine and 200/225 horsepower. The ultimate version was the SSK which had three degrees of supercharging, with the 'elephant blower' available only to the works competition teams. The Ss and SSK models would enjoy much success in racing including a win at the 1928 and 1931 German Grand Prix, the 1931 Mille Miglia, and the 1930 Irish Grand Prix.

There were only 297 Type S cars produced of all kinds. Porsche had left in 1929 to join Steyr. Engineer Hans Nibel, who had been with Benz & Cie since 1904 and was the created of the Blitzen Benz speed record car of 1910, was named technical director following Porsches departure.

The new era of Mercedes-Benz cars under the direction of Nibel would feature advanced chassis engineering and a continually evolving powerplant. The first new cars were fitted with a pushrod overhead-valve engine with eight-cylinders and a displacement of 3823cc. They were placed in chassis's that had an all-independent suspension with double-wishbones and coil springs in the front and coil-sprung swing axles at the rear. The Typ 380 engine produced 90 horsepower would prove to be underpowered; a Roots-type double-vane supercharger raised the power 140 which helped considerably in propelling the two-ton cars.

In 1934, a five-liter version of the engine was introduced offering 100/160 brake horsepower. Cars with these engines were dubbed the 500. The supercharged versions were called the 500K ('K' for Kompressor or supercharger). The engines were fitted into chassis that measured 129.5 inches and offered with a range of bodystyles including cabriolets, roadsters and sedans. Total production for the 500Ks totaled 354 over a three year period. 419 of the 5401cc engined 540Ks were produced. A number of coachbuilders were given the opportunity to work their craft on the Typ S, 380/500, and 540 cars such as Saoutchik, Castagna, Murphy Company, Erdmann & Rossi, Glaser, Reutter, and Freestone & Webb.

British based Corisca clothed this example. They were a small company that was created in 1920 by Charles Stammers and his brother-in-law Joseph and Robert Lee. Much of their early work is believed to have involved Bentley.

This Corsica-bodied 500K Drophead Coupe has an older restoration. There are some minor flaws that can be seen upon closer examination. The three-position top shows some signs of its older restoration, as does the rest of the car.

In 2008 this 1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K Three-Position Drophead Coupe was brought to RM Auctions' Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook. It was estimated to sell for $600,000-$750,000. Bidding reached $475,000 but was not enough to satisfy the reserve. The lot was left unsold.

The following year, this Three-Position Drophead Coupe was brought to RM Auctions' Sports & Classics of Monterey. It was estimated to sell for $500,000-$600,000. Bidding reached $425,000 but would again leave unsold.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2009

2009 Sports & Classics of Monterey

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $500,000-USD $600,000 
High Bid (Lot was not sold)
USD $425,000

2008 Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $600,000-USD $750,000 
High Bid (Lot was not sold)
USD $475,000

1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Mercedes-Benz 500K

(Data based on Model Year 1936 sales)
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Normal Roadster by Sindelfingen
Chassis#: 130857
Sold for USD$1,270,000
  2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K Touring Phaeton
Chassis#: 113696
Sold for USD$1,215,000
  2018 Bonhams : Quail Lodge
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Offener Tourenwagen by Sindelfingen
Chassis#: 123724
Sold for USD$1,540,000
  2017 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K Sports Phaeton
Chassis#: 209421
Sold for USD$1,430,000
  2014 Bonhams - The Scottsdale Auction
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K
Chassis#: 130878
Sold for USD$1,045,000
  2008 Gooding & Company
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K image  
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K Cabriolet A
Chassis#: 105383
Sold for USD$1,287,987
  2008 Bonhams - Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles Automobiles d'Exception
 
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K Marlene Replica Kit
Sold for USD$13,500
  2007 Mecum - Kansas City High Performance Auction
 
1936 MERCEDES 500 K REPLICA
Sold for USD$20,500
  2007 Palm Springs Exotic Car Auctions - February 23-25, 2007
 
1936 MERCEDES-BENZ 500K RE-CREATION ROADSTER
Sold for USD$9,460
  2004 Barrett-Jackson - Petersen Museum 2004
 
1936 MERCEDES-BENZ 500 K RECREATION
Sold for USD$20,000
  2001 Kruse Auction - Dallas, TX
 

Mercedes-Benz 500Ks That Failed To Sell At Auction

1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1936 MERCEDES-BENZ 500K OFFENER TOURENWAGEN2094212020 Bonhams : Quail Motorcar Auction $2,000,000$2,500,000
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet C1308852019 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach $800,000$1,000,000
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500 K cabriolet B1309012019 Artcurial : Retroobile $600,000$800,000
1936 MERCEDES-BENZ 500K SPORTS ROADSTER1308572016 Bonhams The MercedesBenz Sale $2,700,000$3,500,000
1936 MERCEDES 500 K REPLICA SPECIAL ROADSTER 2016 McCormick's Palm Springs # 60$32,500  
1936 MERCEDES 500 K REPLICA SPECIAL ROADSTER 2016 McCormick's Auction # 60$32,500  
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet C2150112013 RM Auction London$650,000  
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K 2009 Sports & Classics of Monterey$425,000$500,000$600,000
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K Three-Position Drophead Coupe 2008 Automobiles of London$275,000$300,000$350,000
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K 2008 Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook$475,000$600,000$750,000
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500k Replica Convertible 2007 RM Auctions Toronto International Fall Classic Car Auction$19,000  

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1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K vehicle thumbnail image  1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K vehicle thumbnail image  
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1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K

Additional valuation insight and sales data
History
Specifications
Image gallery
Other Mercedes-Benz 500K model years

1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K Vehicle Profiles

1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K vehicle information
Drophead Coupe
Chassis #: 130857
Engine #: 130857
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K vehicle information
Special Roadster
Coachwork: Sindelfingen
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K vehicle information
Cabriolet Tourer A
Coachwork: Sindelfingen
Designer: Hermann Ahrens
Chassis #: 123724
Engine #: 123724
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K vehicle information
Special Roadster
Coachwork: Sindelfingen
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K vehicle information
Three-Position Drophead Coupe
Coachwork: Corsica
Chassis #: 113622
Engine #: 113622

Vehicle information, history, and specifications from concept to production.