A 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Particular Roadster was topped Better of Present on Sunday on the Pebble Seashore Concours d’Class. The occasion capped off 2023 Monterey Automobile Week.

It is the tenth time a Mercedes has taken residence the highest honors, which is a document.

The 1937 540K is one among solely three Lengthy-Tail Particular Roadsters with a lined spare tire identified to be in existence, and it simply accomplished a full restoration dealt with by Canada’s RM Auto Restoration in shut collaboration with Mercedes’ traditional automobile division.

Due to Mercedes’ archives, detailed data on the automobile was used for its restoration, proper all the way down to the precise supplies used.

1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Particular Roadster at 2023 Pebble Seashore Concours d’Class

The automobile’s present proprietor is Jim Patterson. He bought it at an public sale throughout 2022 Monterey Automobile Week and retains it in a group in Louisville, Kentucky, which has two earlier Better of Present winners: a 1924 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A (2015) and a 1933 Delage D8 S de Villars Roadster (2010).

Patterson paid $9.9 million for the Mercedes, which has solely modified palms 5 instances in its seven a long time.

1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Particular Roadster at 2023 Pebble Seashore Concours d’Class

Its unique proprietor was Mohammed Zahir Shah, the King of Afghanistan, who ordered it in Could of 1937 and obtained it the next September. It was ordered with a physique made in Sindelfingen, Germany; the design is notable for the excessive facet line of the doorways, curved physique contours with a recessed radiator, and the lengthy tail that homes the spare wheel.

Throughout the Second World Struggle, the automobile was saved on the Afghan embassy in Paris and in 1950 it made its option to the U.Ok. after the Afghan king gave it to his son-in-law. It then made its option to the U.S. in 1953 after being bought to an area collector.

Mercedes-Benz 540K chassis

Manufacturing of the 540K and associated 500K had been dealt with by Mercedes at its Untertürkheim plant close to Stuttgart between 1934 and 1939. A complete of 760 chasses had been constructed, with 406 of those being the 540K powered by the supercharged 5.4-liter inline-8. The engine delivers an estimated 180 hp and is mated to a 4-speed guide transmission. A complete of 9 physique kinds had been provided by Mercedes, and simply 60 vehicles had been constructed with the roadster physique.

One other 1937 540K Particular Roadster went beneath the hammer at a Mecum public sale that happened final week in Monterey. It did not promote after reaching a high bid of $2.6 million.