The 500K Special Roadster is regarded as the most sought after prewar Mercedes Benz. A total of only 354 of the top of the line W29 500K's were built between 1934 and 1936. Only 25 of these 500K's  were produced with the voluptuous Special Roadster coachwork shown here. These extremely rare, expensive and exclusive models were typically sold to notable customers in Europe and the United States. Needless to say, the wood framed bodies were very labor-intensive to build.

The M24i inline 8 cylinder engine was based on the 3820cc overhead-valve engine produced in 1933 but, bored and stroked to 5018cc and supercharged to produce 160hp. A four speed transmission with synchromesh on second through fourth gears was fitted.

It was photographed at the 1999 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance by Bill Wood.

 

1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K Special Roadster

 

The Special Roadster seen here was supplied to British Mercedes-Benz Ltd. in London from where it was dispatched to H. T. Nelson Ltd. for delivery to its first owner, Mr. W. L. Quartermaine in April of 1936. Mr. Quartermaine was a successful insurance broker who had seen the Special Roadster at the 1935 Olympia Motor Show. In 1938, the Special Roadster was traded in on a new V12 Lagonda Drophead Coupe. The car was later owned by a Mr. Farquharson and, shortly thereafter, by a Mr. George Finn who sold the car to Mr. Arthur Lane in 1950. Four or five years later, Mr. Lane sold the car to his nephew, Mr. Arthur Dawson, who was a butcher and used the car on a regular basis. In 1956, Mr. Dawson stored the car in a garage behind his butcher shop. It was discovered there in 1988 and sold at a Christie's Auction at Bealieu in unrestored condition to the Thulin Group, who immediately consigned the car to Wagner and Landshut in Germany for a total restoration. In 1991, the Special Roadster was sold to Mr. Ishikawa and a few years later to Mr. William Connor of Hong Kong.

 

Cylinders 8
Bore 86 mm
Stroke 108 mm
Displacement 5018 cc
Output @ 3,400 rpm 160 hp
Top speed 160 km/h

   

 

 

 

 

 

This car has been shown at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where it won its class in 1994, and at Bagatelle in 1995 where it won Best of Show. Cosmetically and mechanically restored to impeccable standards, this rare 500K Special Roadster is considered one of the most beautiful Mercedes Benz in the world.

Chassis # 123700,  Engine # 123700,  Regn. # CXT 20

Estimated value:  $4,000,000 - $4,250,000

 

 

MercedesShop would like to thank RM Classic Cars of Blenheim, Ontario, for making this car available for viewing and for providing the brief history of the vehicle. RM Classic Cars presented this car along with 59 other carefully selected automobiles at the First Annual Amelia Island Classic & Sports Car Auction held during the 1999 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.