1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Saoutchik Cabriolet
- Engine
- Supercharged straight-eight
- Colour
- Black and grey
A 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K bodied by Parisian coachbuilder Jacques Saoutchik — one of only three such commissions he executed on 500 K and 540 K chassis, and the sole survivor. Delivered to Saoutchik in Paris in October 1935, the car was reportedly commissioned by Dr. Charles Crocker of a distinguished California family. It has spent almost its entire existence in California, winning its class at the inaugural 1950 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and passing through a small number of notable subsequent owners. Numbers-matching chassis and engine are retained.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$1,710,000
- 1935 → 1959Factory deliveryDr. Charles Crockerpartial documentation
Member of a prominent Bay Area family, Crocker reportedly commissioned the body directly from Saoutchik, possibly after seeing the car at the Paris Salon. The car was kept at his Pebble Beach residence.
- 1959 →Private saleScott Newhallpartial documentation
Longtime executive editor of the San Francisco Chronicle and dedicated motoring enthusiast. He undertook a restoration of the vehicle before his wife showed it at Pebble Beach in 1965.
- → 1967Private saleRobert Burkholderpartial documentation
San Francisco investment executive who showed the car at Pebble Beach and in CCCA competition before offering it for sale through the club's publication in 1967.
- 1967 → 1989Private saleRichard Croxton Adamspartial documentation
Inventor of the paint roller and prominent San Diego-area banker, philanthropist, and collector, closely involved in founding the air and automobile museums in San Diego. Kept the car in well-preserved condition.
- 1989 →Private saleCurrent long-term collectionpartial documentation
The car has remained in the same private collection for approximately 33 years prior to this auction offering.
Competition
- 19501950 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance1st in class
The inaugural Pebble Beach Concours, held as a small charity sports car show at the golf links. The car competed while still in the hands of its original owner.
- 19651965 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
Shown by Mrs. Newhall following a restoration; a contemporary press account noted the car had been purchased from the late Dr. Crocker.
- 19661966 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
Exhibited by Robert Burkholder after he acquired the car from the Newhalls.
- —Classic Car Club of AmericaCCCA Western Grand Classic1st in class
Entered by Robert Burkholder around 1966–1967; the car took top class honors in CCCA judged competition.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Restoration
A restoration was undertaken during the Newhall ownership, after which the car was shown at Pebble Beach in 1965.
Much of this work appears to survive on the car today; the black and grey paint is described as a later application attributed to this restoration period.
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