August 17, 2012. Copyright 2012, Graphic News. All rights reserved

1936 Mercedes 540K threatens classic car world record price

By Neil Winton

LONDON, August 17, Graphic News: This 1930s Mercedes-Benz roadster, sold for $11.77 million at an auction in Pebble Beach, California, is one of those old cars that makes you wonder what happened to automotive styling between then and now.

Today's supercars like the latest Bugattis, Lamborghinis and even the electric Tesla, look like variations on a theme developed in the same wind tunnel. Sleek, low and fast for sure, but none of them has the visual knock-out appeal of a Bugatti Royale say, or this 1936 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Spezial Roadster.

Only 26 of these Spezial-Roadsters were made, after being introduced at the Paris Motor Show in 1936. The 540K became a flagship Mercedes-Benz, built to order only. This one was bought by Prussian Baroness Gisela Josephine von Krieger, and according to T Magazine, accompanied her when she lived in London and France and, stayed with her when she fled the Nazis to Monaco and Switzerland. The car followed the Baroness across the Atlantic on the Queen Mary after she moved to New York following World War II. In 1992, the Mercedes was discovered in a Connecticut warehouse.

The 540K has a 5.4 litre, inline eight cylinder engine which was capable of just over 100mph (160km/h). A supercharger, or Kompressor, raised power to 180hp from its normal 115hp for high-speed cruising. 100mph might not sound like much today, but at the time, most regular road cars could barely hit 60mph.

Other high technology developments included four-wheel independent suspension and synchromesh, standard for three of four gears. Top gear was designed to take advantage of Germany's high-speed autobahns, just being developed by Adolph HitlerŐs Nazi regime.

Auction experts say the market for classic cars has never been stronger, but major collectors, seeing prices rise, are seeking to cash in.

To break the record for a car sold at auction, the 540K must beat the 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, which sold last year for $16,390,000. The auction takes place at Pebble Beach, California, on Aug 17-18, and includes a 1957 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder, a 1931 Bentley 4.5 Litre SC "Blower" Sports 2/3 Seater Boat Tail racer, and a 1966 Ford GT40.

In 2011 the rise in value of classic cars outperformed gold, giving a return of 13.89%, according to Historic Automobile Group International. Gold returned growth of just 9.93%.
/ENDS