1937 Mercedes Benz 540K Special Roadster

Chassis №154140; Engine №154140; Body №200325; Commission №230716 115/180 hp 5,401 cc. supercharged overhead valve in-line 8-cylinder engine, 4-speed manual transmission, 4-wheel hydraulic drum brakes, independent front and rear suspension. Wheelbase 3290 mm (129.5″). The Mercedes-Benz 540K was the most powerful automobile of its period. Not in sheer engine power, to be sure, but in its total mastery of the road and everything on it. And of the 406 examples built during the 540K’s production life from 1936-1939 the most dominant were the Special Roadsters designed and executed to the highest standards in Mercedes-Benz’s own karosserie in Sindelfingen. Only twenty-five 540K Special Roadsters were built. Only six of these were the long tail, covered spare version such as the example on offer. This spectacular Spezial Roadster was ordered new by the factory branch in Buenos Aires for S. Mastro & Cia Aguirre of Buenos Aires, Argentina, owners of a prestigious clothing store, on January 5th, 1937. Prior to its delivery to Argentina on June 29th, however, the car was first sent to Zurich and then Vienna by rail. According to Mercedes-Benz Classic Germany, it is likely that these cars were on display in Switzerland and Austria’s Mercedes-Benz agencies or perhaps even the cities’ respective car shows. According to noted expert Rolf Wagner, a subsequent owner in Argentina was Jose M. Ahumada. The car remained in Argentina for many years, into the 1960s, until it was discovered by...