You can imagine that the kind of money needed to purchase this classic automotive jewel don’t just fall out of the sky. Considering that bidding started at $5 million, this exquisite 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster was recently sold at an auction organized by RM Sotheby’s for a cool $9.9 million.
Chassis number 130894 is considered to be one of the earliest examples of the 540 K and to have it survive for as long as it did, and look the way it does, is simply a miracle, courtesy of the gods of speed and luxury. Even more interesting, this particular example is actually a pre-production unit, which was originally delivered to the United States.
It has just 10,227 miles (16,458 km) on the odometer, coming with a full history and benefiting from all its original drivetrain components, including the engine number. Strangely enough, that incredible price-tag doesn’t seem all that big any more for a piece of automotive history that’s almost brand new.
This classic Mercedes is powered by a 5.4-liter eight-cylinder engine, featuring a driver-activated Roots-type supercharger, meaning that 115 hp instantly become 180 hp of stylish fun.
The engine was mated to a four-speed manual gearbox, with four-wheel servo-assisted hydraulic drum brakes, an independent wishbone coil front suspension combined and an independent swing-arm rear suspension also part of the the 540 K Special Roadster’s offering. But the timeless look and glamour of this vehicle is truly priceless.
