mb 540k

[mmenc]

Hello all,
I am trying to buy a 540K. Any tips on finding them and how to buy them. Also what the prices are.
I am looking for something that is fully restored.

Regards..

[Cephallus]

I read an article on the 540k a few months ago back. The 4 seater cab was estimated as being worth only (!!!) around $350k, and the Spezial was like $5 million. If you could find one of the 5 owners (or however many there are now) willing to sell it to you. Estimated full restoration of one in bad shape was in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Very good modern replicas can be had for around $25k.

[cth350]

visit www.slmarket.com and ask John Olson. -cth

[300SDog]

This is your lucky day....... 1936 MB 540K Spezial Cabriolet is being auctioned right now in Arizona:

http://www.prewarcar.com/show_prewar_car.asp?car_id=30951 ......And it's estimated to fetch a piddling $1.5 million.... http://www.rmauctions.com/CarDetails.cfm?SaleCode=AZ07&CarID=r143
......So you better act fast and contact them immediately - looks like the auction ends Friday Jan 19th.

The 2nd link above provides specs that include 4-spd gearbox w/synchro 3rd, four wheel independent suspension, wishbones front & swingarms in the rear, hydraulic brakes, gear driven supercharger controled by the driver in the cockpit, 180hp 5401cc straight 8 - billed as the fastest production vehicle of its time.

The 540K looks like an hellacious fun car to drive, probly capable of 100mph. Does anybody know what a "dog clutch" is? According to the article that's what operates 4th gear - possibly 4th is a separate set of reduction gears with the "dog clutch" being a splitter that activates an independent overdrive gearbox, i dunno. Straight cut 1st and 2nd mean double-clutching or possibly you can float 2nd after you get used to it. And 1st you can probly only engage from a standing start.

Have never driven a pre-war car though a friend has a 1927 Buick, said to be formerly owned by the guy who raced 'seabiscuit' at nearby Churchill Downs, himself being a Buick dealer. My pal says it drives like a truck with really stiff brakes, clutch, non-synchro gears etc. And really cool feature is ignition advance lever operated from the steering column.

[vox_incognita]

http://www.mirbach.de/main.asp?main=angebotsliste&marke=1&nav=1

[Cephallus]

"A dog clutch is a type of clutch. It couples two rotating shafts or other rotating components not by friction but by interference. The two parts of the clutch are designed such that one will push the other, causing both to rotate at the same speed.

Dog clutches are used where slip is undesirable and/or the clutch is not used to control torque. Because the clutch never slips, dog clutches are not affected by wear in the same way that friction clutches are."

(wikipedia)

[Dbglobal]

If you are really serious about acquiring a 540k, contact Don Williams at -
http://www.blackhawkcollection.com/. Don Williams is the premere dealer in highend cars.