1934 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet A
- Engine
- 4.98L supercharged OHV inline-eight, 100 hp normally aspirated / 160 hp with supercharger engaged
- Colour
- Scarlet
A 1934 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet A, chassis kommission number 16533, delivered new through the Zurich Mercedes-Benz agency to Curt Alexander Bally of Schönenwerd, Switzerland. Acquired in 1951 by Walter M. Halle, Cleveland department-store magnate, who had it restored and drove it regularly — finished in the firm's signature green — before donating it alongside his 300 SL to the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum in 1971. After nearly two decades on public display, the car passed into private ownership in 1990 and received a full cosmetic restoration in the late 1990s.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$1,870,000
- 1934-09-21 →Factory deliveryCurt Alexander Ballyfull documentation
Delivered new via the Zurich Mercedes-Benz agency; Bally was 30 years old at the time and his family owned the well-known Swiss footwear firm of the same name, headquartered in nearby Schönenwerd.
- 1951 → 1971Private saleWalter M. Hallepartial documentation
Purchased in Switzerland, possibly from the original owner; underwent a lengthy restoration over five years. Halle regularly drove the car to his Cleveland department store, where it was finished in the company's signature green livery. He donated it to a local museum shortly before his death.
- 1971 → 1990InheritanceCrawford Auto-Aviation Museumpartial documentation
Received as a gift from Halle, who was a longtime supporter of the Western Reserve Historical Society. The car was displayed publicly for roughly two decades before being sold back into private ownership.
- 1990 →AuctionCurrent ownerpartial documentation
Commissioned a full refinish in the 1990s, resulting in the present scarlet and tan livery. Has maintained continuous ownership for more than 25 years; car holds a FIVA identity card and retains its original data plate.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1956Restoration
A five-year restoration was carried out following acquisition by Walter Halle in 1951, completing around 1956. The car was refinished in Halle Green during this process.
Restoration commenced shortly after the 1951 acquisition; the five-year span places completion circa 1956.
- —Restoration
A full cosmetic refinishing was undertaken in the late 1990s, resulting in the current scarlet livery with light tan interior piped in red, a matching hood, chrome wire wheels, whitewall tyres, and a radiator stone guard.
Commissioned by the current owner; precise year within the 1990s not specified in the catalogue.
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