Tenth Benz with Pebble Beach star
A very old and exclusive Mercedes-Benz has been crowned the very best that the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance had to offer this year. A 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster took home the title of ‘Best of Show’ this weekend.
There are quite a few high-profile models in the rich history of Mercedes-Benz, including the winged 300 SL and cars such as the Pagode and the many AMG stunners. Pre-war Mercedes-Benz models also attract attention for various reasons. Think of the SSK, but certainly also of its further development: the 500 K and 540 K. A Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster from 1937 was awarded ‘Best of Show’ during the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance was first held in 1950 and since that year a Mercedes-Benz has won the Best of Show title ten times. More than any other brand.
The jury-lauded Benz was ordered in May 1937 for Mohammed Zahir Shah, then the King of Afghanistan. The 540 K Special Roadster, delivered in September of the same year, has a Mercedes-owned car in Sindelfingen. coach builders manufactured body. The current owner of the winning classic Benz bought his museum piece last year for almost €9.1 million. The current owner has had the 540 K Special Roadster thoroughly restored by RM Auto Restoration and the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center.
Mercedes’ Untertürkheim factory produced a total of 760 chassis for the 500 K and 540 K between 1934 and 1939. Of these, 354 had a 5.0 eight-in-line and 406 units had an eight-cylinder with a displacement of 5.4 liters. Mercedes supplied nine body styles, the bodies of which were built in Sindelfingen. In total, about 60 Roadsters were produced.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl