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1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K Navigation
The Mercedes-Benz 500K was first shown at the Berlin Motor Show in 1934. It had a supercharged 5-liter, 6-cylinder engine, developing 160 bhp, which was particularly suited to the new Autobahns that were being built in Germany at the time.
This car was delivered new in 1935 to a Berlin Government Labor party leader named Rudolf Schmeer. It is one in a series of only 16 Open Tourers produced. Very few 500Ks still exist today, and this one has unusual touring style coachwork. This 500K chassis (number 113696) has a rare one-off special phaeton body built by the Mercedes-Benz factory. Open coachwork was offered in several forms; two-seater convertibles were offered in 'A' form, which was a sporty and low slung design. The ranged continued through the alphabet to a 'D'. Only a small number received the 'Tourenwagen' or sports Touring coachwork, as it added at least an additional 22,000 Reichsmarks. The style emulated the British touring cars of the same era, which suggests the importance of the UK market for Mercedes-Benz.
This particular example was built in April of 1935 and was completed in June of that year. It left the factory wearing blue paintwork with black fenders and a black top and interior. The car later came into the care of a former Motor Pool mechanic who maintained the car in Berlin first for the Germans and then through the Russian invasion. The car was abandoned by them and the mechanic brought the car back to Austria. This is where it was found by Cecil Lemon and Ezekiel Ramirez, who had been stationed in Salzburg, Austria. Lemon and Ramirez purchased the Mercedes and brought it to the United States, where ownership passed to Lemon, who retained the car for a short time, selling it in 1955. It was purchased by Ivan P. Baxter of Hartland, Wisconsin.
The car remained in Baxter's care of around 5 years, before it was purchased by Brooks Stevens. In 1959, the Brooks Stevens Automotive Museum was opened and this car was part of the display. It would remain in the area for the following three decades, passing next to Mike Uilhein, but still being on display in the Museum, and then later to Bob Adams of Franksville, Wisconsin. Adams would later sell the car to William 'Bill' Lassiter in Florida, before it joined the Imperial Palace Auto Collection in 1991.
After joining the Imperial Palace, it was given a restoration by California restorer, Mike Fennel of Saugas. It was given its complete repaint in the solid silver-grey livery which it wears today. The interior was finished in red leather.
More recently, it was given a newer refurbishment before being shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2008 and also at the Amelia Island Concours in 2010.
This car was delivered new in 1935 to a Berlin Government Labor party leader named Rudolf Schmeer. It is one in a series of only 16 Open Tourers produced. Very few 500Ks still exist today, and this one has unusual touring style coachwork. This 500K chassis (number 113696) has a rare one-off special phaeton body built by the Mercedes-Benz factory. Open coachwork was offered in several forms; two-seater convertibles were offered in 'A' form, which was a sporty and low slung design. The ranged continued through the alphabet to a 'D'. Only a small number received the 'Tourenwagen' or sports Touring coachwork, as it added at least an additional 22,000 Reichsmarks. The style emulated the British touring cars of the same era, which suggests the importance of the UK market for Mercedes-Benz.
This particular example was built in April of 1935 and was completed in June of that year. It left the factory wearing blue paintwork with black fenders and a black top and interior. The car later came into the care of a former Motor Pool mechanic who maintained the car in Berlin first for the Germans and then through the Russian invasion. The car was abandoned by them and the mechanic brought the car back to Austria. This is where it was found by Cecil Lemon and Ezekiel Ramirez, who had been stationed in Salzburg, Austria. Lemon and Ramirez purchased the Mercedes and brought it to the United States, where ownership passed to Lemon, who retained the car for a short time, selling it in 1955. It was purchased by Ivan P. Baxter of Hartland, Wisconsin.
The car remained in Baxter's care of around 5 years, before it was purchased by Brooks Stevens. In 1959, the Brooks Stevens Automotive Museum was opened and this car was part of the display. It would remain in the area for the following three decades, passing next to Mike Uilhein, but still being on display in the Museum, and then later to Bob Adams of Franksville, Wisconsin. Adams would later sell the car to William 'Bill' Lassiter in Florida, before it joined the Imperial Palace Auto Collection in 1991.
After joining the Imperial Palace, it was given a restoration by California restorer, Mike Fennel of Saugas. It was given its complete repaint in the solid silver-grey livery which it wears today. The interior was finished in red leather.
More recently, it was given a newer refurbishment before being shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2008 and also at the Amelia Island Concours in 2010.
2018 Bonhams : Quail Lodge
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,400,000-USD $1,600,000
Sale Price :
USD $1,215,000
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 Touring Phaeton Chassis#: 113696 Sold for USD$1,215,000 2018 Bonhams : Quail Lodge | ![]() ![]() |
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 Sports Phaeton Chassis#: 209421 Sold for USD$1,430,000 2014 Bonhams - The Scottsdale Auction | ![]() |
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K Chassis#: 130878 Sold for USD$1,045,000 2008 Gooding & Company | ![]() ![]() |
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.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1936 MERCEDES-BENZ 500K OFFENER TOURENWAGEN | 209421 | 2020 Bonhams : Quail Motorcar Auction | $2,000,000 | $2,500,000 | |
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet C | 130885 | 2019 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | $800,000 | $1,000,000 | |
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500 K cabriolet B | 130901 | 2019 Artcurial : Retroobile | $600,000 | $800,000 | |
1936 MERCEDES-BENZ 500K SPORTS ROADSTER | 130857 | 2016 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 C | 215011 | 2013 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
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