1936 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Sport Cabriolet A
- Engine
- Supercharged inline-eight
- Colour
- Burgundy
Chassis 154146 is a Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet A, second series, one of only 32 built and the first of its specific body sub-series (826201). Ordered in Paris in late 1936 and delivered in early 1937, it has documented provenance tracing through American, German, and Californian ownership. A ground-up restoration by Jim Friswold brought it to concours condition, earning Third in Class at Pebble Beach in 2014 and Best of Show at the Arizona Concours in 2015.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$2,920,000
- —Auction saleSold US$2,585,000
- —Auction saleEstimate US$3,400,000 – US$4,000,000
- 1937-02-01 →Factory deliveryMartha Jordansfull documentation
Ordered in Paris in late 1936, delivered to her home in Mönchengladbach in early 1937. She later relocated to the United States, bringing the car with her.
- → 1965Acquisition unknownPaul Hauckpartial documentation
Classic Car Club of America member based in Union, New Jersey; his ownership was noted in a 1957 publication and the car was still with him as late as 1965.
- → 1996Acquisition unknownThomas Kreidpartial documentation
California-based collector with a substantial Mercedes holdings; his tenure was documented in a 1989 magazine article. Engine was rebuilt by German specialists during this period.
- 1996 →Acquisition unknownAlfred Richterpartial documentation
Based in Lampertheim, Germany; drove the car regularly on rallies, accumulating roughly 30,000 km before passing it to the next owner.
- 2017 →Acquisition unknownImmediate prior ownerpartial documentation
Acquired the car in 2017 and later passed it in trade to the current owner.
- Date unknownUnidentified San Francisco-area ownernone documentation
Car was reportedly in the San Francisco area during the 1970s, then spent roughly five years in Colorado.
- Date unknownPrivate saleThomas Taffetpartial documentation
California-based Mercedes enthusiast who commissioned a comprehensive ground-up restoration, including chassis, drivetrain, and cosmetic refinishing in deep burgundy with tan leather.
- Date unknownPrivate saleCurrent caretakerpartial documentation
Long-standing enthusiast of supercharged Mercedes models; oversaw further mechanical work including radiator rebuild, shock rebuilding, valve job, and new head gasket.
Competition
- 20142014 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance3rd in class
- 20152015 Arizona Concours d'EleganceBest of Show
Maintenance & restoration
- —Engine rebuildReifen-Wagner
Full engine rebuild carried out during Alfred Richter's ownership; upon later inspection the engine was deemed to need no further work.
German specialists performed the rebuild; the engine was found to be in satisfactory condition when the subsequent restoration was undertaken.
- —RestorationJim Friswold
Complete ground-up restoration: body removed, chassis stripped and powder-coated, suspension overhauled, transmission and rear axle disassembled with new bearings and seals fitted. All chrome was re-plated, bodywork refinished in deep burgundy, and the interior retrimmed in biscuit tan leather with quality German materials for the hood and headliner.
Friswold is based in Tigard, Oregon and is described as a Mercedes-Benz specialist. Work was commissioned by Thomas Taffet.
- —MechanicalBlaak Radiators and consignor's in-house facility
Radiator rebuilt, shock absorbers rebuilt, valve job performed, and head gasket replaced during the current owner's tenure.
Radiator work carried out by Blaak Radiators in the Netherlands; remaining mechanical work done at the consignor's own facility.
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