Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster Claims
August 08 2023,
In a stunning display of automotive elegance, the Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster (W 29) clinched the esteemed "Best of Show" accolade at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on Sunday, August 20, 2023. This marks the tenth victory for a Mercedes-Benz automobile since the inception of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 1950, rendering the brand the most triumphant in the history of this paramount classic car event.
Historical Significance
A closer look into the history of this illustrious vehicle reveals a royal connection. The 540 K Special Roadster was commissioned in May 1937 by Mohammed Zahir Shah, the then King of Afghanistan. Exhibiting an air of regality, the vehicle boasts of a Sindelfingen body, high side lines of the doors, a receded radiator, and a gracefully streamlined rear with a concealed spare wheel.
The automobile has seen a limited number of ownerships throughout its existence. Its most recent acquisition took place at the 2022 Pebble Beach Automotive Week auction, where it fetched a price of $9.9 million.
Restoration Journey
Post the auction, the 540 K Special Roadster underwent a meticulous restoration process, guided by the combined expertise of RM Auto Restoration and Mercedes-Benz Heritage. The car's refurbishment strictly adhered to standards of authenticity, with significant insights from the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center. The Mercedes-Benz Classic archives in Fellbach provided a detailed chronicle of the regal car's storied past.
These restorative endeavors are supported by the revered expert reports from Mercedes-Benz Classic. Founded on exhaustive archive research and thorough vehicle analysis, these reports capture the comprehensive biography of the vehicle, further attesting to its authenticity.
A Tale of Royal Wheels
Archival documentation delineates the Special Roadster's early journey. Initially a royal possession in Afghanistan, it found its way to the Afghan embassy in Paris during the mid-1940s. Subsequent years saw it being gifted to the King's son-in-law in Britain before it was sold to a US collector in 1953. Despite its travels, the vehicle remains in impeccable condition, having been driven very little over the years.
Jim Patterson, the current owner of the 540 K Special Roadster, is no stranger to the Pebble Beach accolade. His collection also boasts the "Best of Show" winners from 2015 and 2010. The last two Mercedes-Benz vehicles to clinch this award were in 2021 and 2017.
The Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster is a testimony to the brand's unparalleled engineering and design prowess. Between 1934 and 1939, the Untertürkheim plant produced a total of 760 chassis for the W 29 series, with nine body variants crafted at the Sindelfingen plant’s special vehicle workshop.
With its rich heritage and pristine restoration, the 540 K Special Roadster truly embodies the epitome of classic automobile elegance, making its victory at Pebble Beach a fitting tribute.
