1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet A

7 mars 2016

1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet A

Lot 141, 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet A. Coachwork by Sindelfingen. Chassis no. 408388. Engine no. 10124019.32 408388. Estimate €2 million - 2.6 million (£1.5 million - 2 million). Photo: Bonhams.

5,401cc OHV Supercharged Inline 8-Cylinder Engine
115bhp or 180bhp with Supercharger Engaged
4-Speed Manual Transmission
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Servo-Assisted Hydraulic Drum Brakes

Outstandingly handsome example of Sindelfingen coachwork
High-quality older restoration that presents well
Legendary supercharged pre-war Mercedes-Benz chassis

THE MERCEDES-BENZ 500 K

Together with its predecessor the 500 K, the magnificent Mercedes-Benz 540 K was arguably the most noteworthy production model offered by the Stuttgart firm during the 1930s. A development of the 500 K, whose independently suspended chassis it shared, the 540 K was powered by a 5.4-litre supercharged straight-eight engine. The 540 K was one of the first models developed under Mercedes' new chief engineer, ex-racing driver Max Sailer, successor to Hans Nibel, who had died in November 1934 at only 54 years old. It featured the company's famous Roots-type supercharger system in which pressing the accelerator pedal to the end of its travel would simultaneously engage the compressor and close off the alternative atmospheric intake to the carburetor. This system had been thoroughly proven on the preceding series of Dr Porsche-conceived S-Type cars, and in effect the 540 K was the last supercharged production Mercedes until relatively recent times.

Launched at the Paris Salon in October 1936, the 540 K had an engine that developed 115 bhp un-supercharged or 180 bhp with the compressor engaged. The gearbox was a four-speed, but with a direct top gear rather than the overdrive ratio used on the earlier 500 K. With the supercharger engaged, the 540 K's blown straight-eight gave it a top speed approaching 110 mph (177 km/h) matched by servo-assisted hydraulic braking. Its performance potential was such that Mercedes-Benz in the UK retained racing driver Goffredo "Freddy" Zehender as technical adviser and demonstration driver, since the supercharged Mercedes was one of the few genuine 100 mph road cars available in the 1930s.

Tested by Britain's Motor magazine, the 540 K was deemed to have lighter steering and handling than its 500 K predecessor, plus an even more comfortable ride, even though the same all-round independent suspension layout with parallel links and coil springs at the front and swing axles at the rear was retained. Motor's test car returned 102 mph over the timed quarter-mile with the supercharger engaged and 85 mph with it disengaged. Such performance was achieved at the cost of 11 mpg petrol consumption, but the servo-assisted brakes came in for fulsome praise, the blower was found to be relatively quiet, and the steering and handling also compared favorably with the 500 K.

THE MOTOR CAR OFFERED

Chassis 408388 with commission number 294682 was delivered to the Daimler-Benz Berlin branch on 21 September 1939. Only 20 days earlier, Germany had invaded Poland, thereby starting World War II, so 294682 would likely have been one of the last orders placed before hostilities broke out. The Sindelfingen coachwork on chassis 408388 has exquisite proportions from any angle. While the Sindelfingen cabriolet came in a variety of styles, this example has the Cabriolet A option with two-door, left-hand drive coachwork and is outstandingly handsome. The work of the gifted design chief Hermann Ahrens, this stylish body boasts wire wheels, side mounts, exposed landau irons, twin horns and a centre spotlight.

With its distinguished black on black on black livery, this rare Cabriolet A offers two-seater accommodation allied to breathtaking performance. At the same time, as one of the very last cars made in Europe before five years of devastation, chassis 408388 presents a unique historical opportunity for the discerning collector of outstanding pre-war automobiles.