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This Mercedes-Benz is one of just three 540K Long-Tail Special Roadsters with covered spare surviving in the world today. The 540K was bodied by the factory's in-house coachworks, Sindelfingen of Germany, which conceived this glorious 'long-tail, high-door' coachwork with flamboyant sweeping lines, skirted fenders, and a covered spare cached into the rear deck-lid. This 540K was first delivered to King Mohammed Zahir Shah of Afghanistan, in Kabul, in September 1937, when he was just 23. It was stored at the Afghan embassy in Paris during World War II, and then gifted to the King's son-in-law, who drove it around London until 1952. In 1953, the Roadster emigrated to the United States, underwent a restoration, and following residence in various prestigious collections, came into the stewardship of the current owner in 2022.
The King of Afghanistan ordered this Mercedes-Benz in May of 1937 and was delivered to him in Kabul in September 1937. During World War II, the 540 K was sent to France and stored at the Afghanistan Embassy in Paris, where it remained until 1948. After the war, the car was given to his son-in-law, who brought it to England in 1950 and drove it only occasionally in London until 1952. During the summer of 1953, it was sold to Chipstead Motors, Limited in London where it was acquired by Mr. A.W. Giles of England for Mr. Vernon D. Jarvis, on December 22, 1953. It was shipped from London to Jacksonville, Florida, and into Mr. Javis' growing collection of Full Classic automobiles. It was exhibited for three decades at the Early American Museum, built by Jarvis in Florida.
Robert Bahre became the car's next custodian in 1986 when he acquired the entire contents of the Early American Museum. A short time later, it was purchased by its current owners.
The Mercedes currently wears its two-tone maroon finish and 'new' floor mats, top cover, and leather seat upholstery. Although the odometer has been reset and currently displays 883 miles, it is believed to have traveled less than 13,000 miles.
The car remains largely untouched and undisturbed, with only minor cosmetic finishes. It retains all of its original mechanical components and the factory Typenshield and Kommission tags. In the past seven decades, it has had only five private owners.By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2022
Robert Bahre became the car's next custodian in 1986 when he acquired the entire contents of the Early American Museum. A short time later, it was purchased by its current owners.
The Mercedes currently wears its two-tone maroon finish and 'new' floor mats, top cover, and leather seat upholstery. Although the odometer has been reset and currently displays 883 miles, it is believed to have traveled less than 13,000 miles.
The car remains largely untouched and undisturbed, with only minor cosmetic finishes. It retains all of its original mechanical components and the factory Typenshield and Kommission tags. In the past seven decades, it has had only five private owners.By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2022
2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $9,000,000-USD $12,000,000
Sale Price :
USD $9,905,000
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Mercedes-Benz 540K
(Data based on Model Year 1937 sales)
1937 MERCEDES-BENZ 540K SPECIAL ROADSTER Chassis#: 154080 Sold for USD$2,420,000 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | ![]() ![]() |
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet B by Sindelfingen Chassis#: 169367 Sold for USD$775,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | ![]() ![]() |
1937 MERCEDES-BENZ 540 K SPORT CABRIOLET A Chassis#: 154084 Sold for USD$3,085,000 2022 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | ![]() ![]() |
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster by Sindelfingen Chassis#: 154075 Sold for USD$9,905,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Coupe by Hebmüller Chassis#: 154143 Sold for USD$995,000 2020 RM Sothebys : Scottsdale Arizona | |
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet A by Sindelfingen Chassis#: 154078 Sold for USD$2,539,413 2019 RM Sothebys : Essen | |
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Sports Roadster Coachwork by Mayfair Chassis#: 154080 Sold for USD$3,277,500 2018 Bonhams : Quail Lodge | ![]() ![]() |
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet B Chassis#: 169350 Sold for USD$577,500 2018 Mecum : Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Sport Cabriolet A by Sindelfingen Chassis#: 154146 Sold for USD$2,585,000 2017 RM Sothebys : Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet C Chassis#: 154062 Sold for USD$1,072,500 2016 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | ![]() ![]() |
1937 MERCEDES-BENZ 540K CABRIOLET A Coachwork by Sindelfingen Chassis#: 154083 Sold for USD$2,970,000 2016 Bonhams : The Amelia Island Auction | ![]() ![]() |
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster by Sindelfingen Chassis#: 130894 Sold for USD$9,900,000 2016 RM Sothebys : Arizona | ![]() ![]() |
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Sports Saloon Chassis#: 169341 Sold for USD$797,307 2013 Bonhams - The Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale | |
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster Model Sold for USD$34,500 2012 RM - Milhous Collection, Fla | |
1937 Mercedes 540 K cabriolet B 1937 Sold for USD$646,491 2012 Artcurial Motorcars at Rétromobile | |
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet 'C' Chassis#: 236583 Sold for USD$667,000 2012 Bonhams - The Scottsdale Sale, Az | |
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet A - Coachwork by Sindelfingen Sold for USD$1,350,079 2011 Coys - A217 True Greats | |
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Spezial Roadster by Sindelfingen Chassis#: 154140 Sold for USD$9,680,000 2011 RM Auctions at Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet A by Factory Sindelfingen Chassis#: 154081 Sold for USD$1,996,988 2011 RM Auctions - Villa d'Este | ![]() ![]() |
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet C Chassis#: 169312 Sold for USD$612,630 2011 Bonhams - Automobilia, Motos de collection et Automobiles d'exception au Grand Palais |
Mercedes-Benz 540Ks That Failed To Sell At Auction
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster | 154080 | 2023 Mecum : 2023 Monterey | $2,600,000 | $3,500,000 | $4,500,000 |
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster | 154080 | 2021 Mecum : Monterey | |||
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster | 2021 Mecum : Kissimmee | ||||
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster | 2020 Mecum : Indy | ||||
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet B | 169367 | 2020 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais | $650,000 | $750,000 | |
1937 MERCEDES-BENZ 540K SPORT CABRIOLET A | 154146 | 2016 Bonhams : Greenwich Concours d'Elegance Auction | |||
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Sport Cabriolet A by Sindelfingen | 154146 | 2015 RM Auctions Automobiles of Arizona | $3,100,000 | $3,400,000 | $4,000,000 |
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1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K
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