1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster (longtail, left-hand drive)
- Engine
- 5.4L OHV inline-eight with Roots-type supercharger and twin-barrel updraft carburetor, 115/180 bhp
Chassis 130894 is among the earliest known surviving Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadsters, a model widely regarded as the pinnacle of coachbuilding at the Sindelfingen works. Delivered through New York importer Mitropa Motors on 24 April 1937, the car passed through a series of distinguished American collections before an extensive restoration in the mid-1980s. It retains its original engine, drivetrain, and factory-fitted typenschild, and the odometer shows just over 10,000 miles believed to be original.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$9,900,000
- 1937-04-24 →Factory deliveryReginald Sinclairepartial documentation
Colorado rancher and aviator who took delivery via New York importer Mitropa Motors; kept the car at his Larkspur Ranch and at the Broadmoor hotel in Colorado Springs. Likely sold the car around the mid-to-late 1950s, roughly when he also disposed of his Duesenberg.
- → 1962Acquisition unknownE.W. Pricepartial documentation
Automobile enthusiast based in Boulder, Colorado, who also owned two Duesenbergs, an Auburn, and a Cord; regarded the 540 K as the centerpiece of his collection. Sold the car around 1962 at his wife's urging in order to fund private schooling for their daughters.
- 1962 →Private saleIrving Tushinskypartial documentation
Resident of Sun Valley, California; purchased the car from Price and subsequently passed it to his close associate Thomas Barrett III.
- → 1989Acquisition unknownUnidentified owner who commissioned restorationnone documentation
Acquired the car at the dispersal of the Wars Collection in the mid-1980s and engaged restorer Mike Fennel of Saugus, California, to refinish the car in its present color scheme.
- 1989 →Acquisition unknownCurrent ownerpartial documentation
Has held the car since 1989; odometer reads approximately 10,277 miles, believed to be original. Original drivetrain, wood body components, and factory firewall data plate are all reported to survive intact.
- Date unknownPrivate saleJames S. Harrisonpartial documentation
Vice president of Import Motors dealership in Colorado Springs, resident of the Broadmoor neighborhood; displayed the car at a Denver Art Museum antique automobile exhibition in 1957, likely having acquired it directly from Sinclaire shortly beforehand.
- Date unknownPrivate saleThomas Barrett IIIpartial documentation
Well-known antique automobile dealer who received the car from Tushinsky and sold it on to his most prominent client of the period.
- Date unknownPrivate saleAxel Warspartial documentation
Assembled a large pre-war automobile collection believed to exceed 100 vehicles; the 540 K was among them. When the Wars Collection was dispersed in the mid-1980s, the car was sold and a restoration was subsequently commissioned.
Competition
- 1957Horseless Carriage Days exhibition, Denver Art MuseumExhibited
Car was displayed at this antique automobile show by then-owner James S. Harrison; the appearance was documented in the HCCA Gazette.
Maintenance & restoration
- —RestorationMike Fennel
Full restoration carried out following the dispersal of the Wars Collection in the mid-1980s, resulting in the car's current livery.
Commissioned by the buyer who acquired the car at the Wars Collection dispersal; workshop located in Saugus, California.
- —InspectionRM Sotheby's
Condition assessment by an RM Sotheby's specialist, which confirmed the presence of original wood body components bearing body number 200335 and verified the factory-installed typenschild on the firewall.
Conducted prior to the auction listing; odometer reading of 10,277 miles noted and believed to be original.
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