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Mercedes-Benz began producing a line of large and fast grand touring cars beginning in 1932. The 540K model was offered from 1936 to 1938 and was the design work of Hermann Ahrens and built to order by Karrosserie Sindelfingen (a Mercedes-Benz in-house coach building subsidiary).
This roadster is powered by a 180 hp, 5,401 cc OHV inline eight-cylinder engine with driver-activated Roots-type supercharger and twin updraft pressurized carburetors. It is coupled to a four-speed manual transmission with synchromesh on third and a dog clutch on fourth, independent wishbone coil front suspension, independent swing-arm rear suspension and four-wheel servo-assisted hydraulic drum brakes. It rides on a 128 in. wheelbase. Just 419 chassis were built, and of those, only 26 carried the longtail Spezial Roadster coachwork.
This roadster is powered by a 180 hp, 5,401 cc OHV inline eight-cylinder engine with driver-activated Roots-type supercharger and twin updraft pressurized carburetors. It is coupled to a four-speed manual transmission with synchromesh on third and a dog clutch on fourth, independent wishbone coil front suspension, independent swing-arm rear suspension and four-wheel servo-assisted hydraulic drum brakes. It rides on a 128 in. wheelbase. Just 419 chassis were built, and of those, only 26 carried the longtail Spezial Roadster coachwork.
2016 RM Sothebys : Arizona
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $10,000,000-USD $13,000,000
Sale Price :
USD $9,900,000
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 : 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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• Specifications
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• Other Mercedes-Benz 540K model years
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Vehicle Profiles
Cabriolet B
Coachwork: Sindelfingen
Special Roadster
Coachwork: Sindelfingen
Special Roadster
Coachwork: Sindelfingen
Cabriolet A
Coachwork: Sindelfingen
Special Roadster
Coachwork: Sindelfingen