1934 Mercedes-Benz 500K

In June of 1926, Daimler and Benz merged, and among the assets gained to the resulting Daimler-Benz Company was Ferdinand Porsche, who had joined Daimler in 1923. Porsche used his talents, experience, and expertise to develop the Mercedes six-cylinder supercharged S series, creating the 6.7-liter S and forming the basis for its later SS, SSK, and SSKL evolutions.

Although Daimler-Benz's work forced included around 20,000 employees, its output was very limited, with production totaling roughly 2,000 cars a year. Their automobiles produced at the Mannheim factory were primarily mid-range, with a few custom-built luxury automobiles being constructed in Untertürkheim near Stuttgart. The Untertürkheim facility employed the best artisans and mechanics and used the highest quality materials to create the finest automobiles possible.

The first new product from the Daimler-Benz merger was the Model 380, introduced in 1933 and put on display at the 1934 Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (more commonly known as the Berlin Auto Show.) It featured a fully independent suspension chassis with coil springs with the front suspension employing dual A-arms and the rear having swing axles. Power was from a single overhead camshaft supercharged straight-eight engine with a 3,820cc displacement. Despite its technical prowess, it was not up to the task of carrying the extravagant and elegant coachwork. It simply was incapable of providing adequate performance when fitted with the heavy coachwork. As a result, production ended barely a year after the model's introduction.

The inadequacies of the 380 were quickly resolved with the introduction of the W29 160 horsepower 500K, which re-introduced the 'K' Kompressor. Mercedes-Benz used a former Daimler facility near Untertürkheim at Sindelfingen to build a full line of eight coach-built bodies. They were well appointed with two spare wheels and tires, safety glass, a tool kit, electric windshield wiper, hydraulic brakes, and lighted number plates. They also had a twelve-volt electric system, a four-speed gearbox with synchromesh on the top three gears, and a central lubrication system. Each vehicle came with internal lighting, door locks, electric directional indicators, map pockets, and chromium-plated bumpers. Sedans received roll-up window blinds. The open cars had fitted top boots. All glass windows received safety glazing. To cater and customize to each customer's request, the cars could be optionally fitted with additional equipment and features.

The 500K had a swing-axle independent rear suspension layout created by Hans Nibel, who had started with Benz in the early years of the 20th Century, succeeded Marius Barbarou as chief engineer in 1904 and designed (as well as raced) the large Benz cars of the period, culminating in the 200hp 'Blitzen' Benz. With the merger with Mercedes, Nibel replaced Ferdinand Porsche and created a sophisticated chassis.

A common and distinguishable feature among the supercharged 500Ks was the bright plated outside exhaust pipes which emerged from the hood and snaked their way into the front fenders. These angelic pipes sang a high-pitched wail when the supercharger was engaged, drowning out all other sounds and heralding their presence.

Even when ladened with the finest and most luxurious bodies of the day, these 5,018cc supercharged straight-eight cars with the Roots-Type supercharger system were capable of 100 mph and were among the fastest production car on the road during its era. Zero-to-sixty mph was accomplished in a time of 16.5 seconds. The supercharger was engaged when pressing the accelerator pedal to the end of its travel, at the same time closing off the alternative atmospheric intake to the carburetor. It developed 100 horsepower in un-supercharged form or 160 bhp when the compressor was engaged. The gearbox was a four-speed with an overdrive top ratio. There was servo-assisted hydraulic braking to keep the car in the driver's control.

These exclusive vehicles were produced in limited numbers, with 105 produced in 1934, 190 in 1935, and 59 in 1936. Just 342 examples were built from 1934 to 1936 before they were superseded by the 540K of which 419 were constructed. Most of the chassis received factory coachwork in various short- and long-wheelbase styles from Sindelfingen, but no more than 70 examples are known to have been delivered to custom coachbuilders. 56 examples were right-hand drive chassis sent to England, with eight of them as rolling chassis.

by Dan Vaughan

Tourer by Mayfair Carriage Company Ltd.
Chassis number: 123689
Engine number: 123689

During the 1930s, the world was experiencing the Great Depression, yet this was also the time many automakers decided to introduce some of the most luxurious and elaborate vehicles. Cadillac introduced their V-16, followed by Marmon with an equally impressive V-16 model. Mercedes-Benz introduced a new generation in 1933, courtesy of engineer Hans Nibel. At the heart of the new vehicle was an overhead-valve eight-cylinder engine with an all-independent suspension, which had double wishbones and coil springs in the front and coil-sprung spring axles in the rear. The latter evolved into the 500 K, which featured a Roots-type supercharger, bringing horsepower to 180.

This particular example is a 500K with chassis number 123689. It was delivered by Norwich dealer Mann Egerton to Sir Everard Talbot Scarisbrick, 2nd Baronet. The car wears a sporty four-passenger tourer body, which may have been inspired by the British sports cars Sir Everard was surrounded and so admired. Mayfair Carriage Company, of London, was tasked with building the body. It has an upright radiator and sweeping fenders, and a 'dip' in the beltline that was reminiscent of the Darrin-bodied Packards to come. It is believed that the body was installed on this chassis in 1939.

In the early 1960s, the car was in Albany, New York, and in the care of Arnold Dubb. It is listed with Dubb in the 1967 CCCA Directory, and then it was acquired by David Cohen, a World War II pilot. At the time, it was painted its original British Racing Green.

Dr. Henry A. Camperlengo, who lived on a farm near Albany, purchased the car from Cohen for $5,000. Dr. Camperlengo owned the car until 1973 when it was purchased by Paula and Barbara Karassik. After spending a short amount of time in England, the 500 K returned stateside. In September of 1992, it was acquired from Don Williams by the late Bill Lassiter. The car remained in the Lassiter Collection until its sale in 1999 to the grandfather of the present owner.

The car has its original matching-numbers chassis, frame, and engine, as well as its original Typenschild, or data plate. The supercharged inline eight-cylinder engine displaces 4,984cc and offers 100/180 bhp. There are a four-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes with vacuum assist. The wheelbase measures 129.5 inches.

by Dan Vaughan

Tourer by Mayfair Carriage Company Ltd.
Chassis number: 123689
Engine number: 123689

One of only eight right-hand drive Mercedes-Benz 500K chassis ever to be delivered to England, chassis 123689 is an appealing example of the enthralling 500K.

In spite of the rumblings of unrest and economic struggle throughout Europe in the 1930s, some of the best pre-war designs would make their appearance during this period and the 500K would have to be one of them, taking the world by storm when it was unveiled at the 1934 Berlin Auto Show.

This particular example would be a Cabriolet A option with accommodations for two, a center spotlight and some other fine details. Throughout 1934, only about 105 examples of the 500K chassis would be produced. And, of those 105, most all of the Cabriolets would come complete with left-hand drive. In total, just 342 500Ks would ever be produced before the 540K would be introduced. Most all of these would head to Sindelfingen to be fitted with custom bodies. This car would not.

It is believed that no more than 70 examples of the 500K would ever leave Germany to be fitted with custom coachwork by companies other than Sindelfingen. This particular example, one of only eight completed with right-hand drive, would travel to England and on to Mayfair Carriage Company based just outside of London.

Noted as one of the most luxurious and fine coachbuilders of the time, Mayfair would certainly be up to the task fitting a custom-designed body to the Mercedes. Among the list of models of cars to roll through Mayfair for work, including Rolls-Royce, Lagonda, Alvis, Bentley, Sunbeam and even Buick, there would be just one 500K ever listed in the company's records and it would be 123689.

Drawing from the inspiration of the Cabriolet, those at Mayfair would create a stylish tourer with a body with both clean and sporty lines and simple touches of trim to forge a car that was, and remains, elegant and aggressive-looking at the same time. In addition, the four-place seating enabled more than a couple to enjoy the spoils offered by the 500K.

Originally finished in the appropriate British Racing Green and registered in July of 1935, the car would be delivered to its first owner where it would remain, evidence would suggest, until 1955. Some time in the early 1960s the Mercedes would make its way to the United States. However, years before that, the car would make an appearance in Motor Sport. Upon coming to America, the car would end up on display in Albany, New York, put there by Mr. Arnold Dubb.

After some time with Dubb, the car would pass to David Cohen. At this time the car would be refinished with an interior bearing what would be termed as 'grapefruit pink'. Combined with the British Racing Green, 123689 was certainly not a car easily overlooked.

Passing hands a couple more times, the car would eventually land in the hands of Paul and Barbara Karassik in 1973, a famed car collector born in Russia. Karassik would become famous for finding a couple of Auto Union Type D Grand Prix cars. By that point in time, 123689 will have made its way to England and then back to the United States. In 1992, William Lassiter, Jr. would purchase the Mercedes. Already well known for his fine automobiles, Lassiter's collection would not have any weak links and the Tourer would fit right in for the next few years before it would be sold again in 1999.

Purchased in 1999 as part of a family collection, the Tourer would be refinished in bright red and cream leather upholstery. Red wheels with silver trim would fit neatly with the other chrome accents making the car striking to behold from a distance, as well as, up close.

Due to its story, its rare tale of significance and purpose, this 1934 Mercedes-Benz 500K Four-Passenger Tourer was likely to be one of the stories of Bonhams' 2015 Amelia Island auction. Offered on the 12th of March, the Mercedes would garner estimates ranging from $1,250,000 to $1,500,000.

by Jeremy McMullen

Cabriolet A by Sindelfingen
Chassis number: 105391
Engine number: 105391

In March of 1934, Mercedes-Benz introduced their 500K at the Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung, more commonly referred to as the Berlin Motor Show. It was produced alongside the 380 K and featured a fully independent suspension, an engine displacing 4984 cubic-centimeters of displacement, and a four-speed gearbox with direct ratio in third gear with the fourth gear acting as an overdrive unit. The engine produced 100 horsepower in normal operation and 160 horsepower when the supercharger was engaged.

Ultimate, 342 examples, mainly destined for Europe, England, and North America were built.

This example is an early Cabriolet A with long sweeping front fenders, a low top and windshield, dual rear-mounted spared, and a passenger compartment moved far back on the chassis frame.

This example was originally delivered through Mercedes-Benz AG of Zurich, Switzerland, to a 30-year-old Curt Alexander Bally of nearby Schönenwerd on September 21st of 1934. In 1951, the 500 K was acquired in Switzerland, possibly from Mr. Bally, by Walter M. Halle of Cleveland, Ohio, for whom it underwent a five-year restoration. Mr. Halle later gave the 500 K to the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum in 1971. It remained on display for nearly two decades.

In 1990, it was sold back into private hands, where it joined the current owner's collection. The owner commissioned a restoration of the car later in the 1990s, at which time the car was refinished in its present livery, scarlet with a light tan interior piped in red, a matching top, chrome wire wheels with whitewall tires, and a radiator stone guard.

by Dan Vaughan

Touren Wagon
Chassis number: 105355
Engine number: 105355

In 1934 Rudolph Hess received this Mercedes as a gift from Adolph Hitler presumably to commemorate his being made Reich Minister of Germany. American GI - Link Milshark (Vienna, West Virginia) bought the car from a junk yard. His sergeant owned the car in Germany for two years prior shipping it to the U. S. He drove the car from the port in New York to visit Army friends in Portsmouth, VA and then on to Vienna, West Virginia. It then sat for 50 years in a barn.

This car is powered by a 5 liter 8-cylinder engine developing 160 horsepower.

Cabriolet A by Sindelfingen

The 500K was largely attributed to engineer Hans Nibel and was first shown at the Berlin Auto Show in 1934. Production of the grand touring 2-passenger cabriolet continued through 1936 with a total of 33 produced, this being the only one with twin rear-mounted spare tires. The 500K was fitted with four-wheel independent suspension including double wishbones and coil springs up front with coil-spring axles at the rear - an industry first.

At its heart was a Rootes-supercharged 5.0-liter, 160 horsepower overhead valve inline 8-cylinder engine. Top speed was in excess of 100 mph, quite significant for the time. Most 500Ks were fitted with sumptuous coachwork at Mercedes' own Sindelfingen plant, like this example. The original owner of this car was Manfred Vonn Brauchitsch, a Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrow Grand Prix team driver.