RARE 1938 MERCEDES-BENZ 540 K CABRIOLET HEADS FOR BONHAMS STUTTGART SALE

 

 

 

RARE 1938 MERCEDES-BENZ 540 K CABRIOLET

HEADS FOR BONHAMS STUTTGART SALE

• Bonhams returns to Stuttgart for the single-marque Mercedes-Benz sale on 28 March 2015, coinciding with Retro Classics Stuttgart week
• A 1938 540 Kompressor Cabriolet A heads the sale. Fresh to the market, the 540 K is estimated at €2,000,000-2,500,000 (£1,500,000-1,900,000)
• A 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster is offered at an estimated  €900,000-1,200,000 (£700,000-940,000)

 

Bonhams single-marque Mercedes-Benz sale will return to Stuttgart on 28 March, coinciding with Retro Classics Stuttgart week, the largest annual exhibition of classic cars in Southern Germany.

 

A spectacular 1938 540 K Cabriolet (complete with covered spare wheel) heads the sale. The Mercedes-Benz auction is the first time the 540 K has been publicly offered, available at an estimated €2,000,000-2,500,000 (£1,500,000-1,900,000).

 

Restored to Concours condition, the two-seater 540 K is a significantly lighter variant of the original 500 K design. Developed in the mid-1930s, it was one of the most impressive cars available at the time, and today remains distinctly rare.

 

A 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster is an additional early consignment, estimated at €900,000-1,200,000 (£700,000-940,000). An extremely original example, the roadster has been in current ownership since 1980, and at its peak was the fastest production Mercedes around.

 

1960 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster

 

The 300SL was previously owned by German industrialist, Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach (1907-1967), of the Krupp dynasty.

 

Philip Kantor, Head of European Motorcars, said: “Bonhams is the pioneer for single-marque sales, and is delighted to continue this newly established sale with Mercedes-Benz. Last year’s sale attracted many bidders from around the world, achieving a total £9.4 million (€12 million) - a wonderful result for a sale only in its first year. We look forward to similar success at this years’ auction.”

 

Held in the Mercedes-Benz Museum, Bonhams auction will showcase a variety of some 40 classic motor cars from across the German marque’s century long history.

 

“Unique and authentic vehicles – that is the idea we share, both Mercedes-Benz and Bonhams. Originality plays an important role in our philosophy,” explains Michael Bock, Head of Mercedes-Benz Classic and Customer Centre. “After the successful auction last year we will once more offer an appropriate stage for Bonhams. Classic car collectors and visitors of the museum will once again be given a taste of exciting auctions.”

 

The Mercedes-Benz Museum charts the entire history of the world’s oldest car manufacturer. A total of 1,500 unique exhibits are featured in the museum, including 160 vehicles.