1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Coupe s_n 154143 |
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BLENHEIM, Ontario, 15 December, 2019
RM Sotheby’s has announced additional featured entries for the auction house’s 21st annual Arizona sale, set for 16-17 January at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix. The latest list of cars is led by a fascinating 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Coupe, chassis no. 154143, which has remained in the same family’s care since 1969.
Ordered new in 1937 by Brabender GmbH in Duisburg, Germany – a company that still exists today – the 540 K was delivered as a Cabriolet A with the striking coupe roof added in period by coachbuilder Hebmüller. It is believed to be the only such 540 K converted by the German coachbuilder. Evident from a first look at the car, it wears desirable and unique coachwork, with a set-back radiator that adds to its sleek design. The 540 K remained in Europe for several decades, eventually appearing at auction in Denver in 1969, from which the current owner’s father purchased the Mercedes-Benz and drove it home to Nebraska, where it has remained ever since.
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The car’s long-term owner enjoyed taking it out for dinner and to the local lake in the summertime over the next few years. It last left the garage in the early 1970s to compete in a local car show, where it shockingly lost Best of Show to a freshly restored John Deere tractor. Distraught by the upset, the owner vowed never to show the car again and parked it in his two-car garage for the next forty-some years. With its whereabouts having been largely unknown, the 540 K is now available for the first time since 1969 and is offered in Arizona retaining its original chassis and drivetrain, complete with covered rear spare, and chrome wire wheels.
The car has been recommissioned by RM Auto Restoration and is in running and driving order. One of the most exciting and interesting garage-finds in recent memory, the 540 K is the ideal candidate for a full restoration and modern concours debut (Est. $1,000,000 - $1,500,000).
“It’s always exciting when we can bring a car with such a great story and family ownership fresh to the market,” comments Gord Duff, Global Head of Auctions, RM Sotheby’s. “We’ve had the opportunity to sell several significant examples of the 540 K at auction over the years, including at Arizona, but this car must be the most interesting. The 540 K Coupe is amazing to look at, and the fact that it is a highly significant model that has been hiding in a family garage for the last 50 years makes it that much more intriguing. Given it hasn’t been shown in decades, it presents a vast amount of collector car event opportunities for its new owner.”
Additional significant Mercedes-Benz icons set for RM Sotheby’s Arizona stage include a pair of 300 SLs:
· A 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing, chassis no. 198.040.5500594, a spectacular example in Silver Grey over deep blue leather, beautifully restored by marque specialists in 2013 and retaining its original matching-numbers engine. The car is equipped with highly desirable Rudge wheels and belly pans, and is offered with both leather and plaid cloth interiors, alongside fitted luggage (Est. $1,150,000 - $1,300,000);
· A highly original 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, chassis no. 198.042.7500555, offered from just private two owners from new, including an incredible 50 years with the original family. Presented in its gorgeous original Strawberry Red Metallic color over a tan leather interior, the roadster is complete with its original hard top, books, tool kit, jack, and shows just 25,600 original miles (Est. $950,000 - $1,150,000).
Consolidated Scottsdale Auction Lots ... sorted by Estimate
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Lot List Lot | Description | S/N | Estimate ($) | Result | 104 | 1949 Harley-Davidson Police Servi-Car | 49G2497 | $30,000 - 40,000 | | 105 | 1938 Cadillac Series 75 | 3271507 | $50,000 - 70,000 | | 106 | 1941 Lincoln Continental | H 119081 | $35,000 - 45,000 | | 107 | 1925 Duesenberg Model A | 1078 | $125,000 - 175,000 | | 108 | 1973 Citroën SM | 00SD0822 | $50,000 - 70,000 | | 109 | 1980 Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser Soft-Top | FJ40-313213 | $60,000 - 80,000 | | 110 | 1947 Ford Super DeLuxe Station Wagon | 799A-2002745 | $70,000 - 90,000 | | 111 | 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air | VC55A064756 | $70,000 - 80,000 | | 112 | 1960 Mercedes-Benz 220 SE Cabriolet | 128.030.10. 003553 | $120,000 - 140,000 | | 113 | 1967 Sunbeam Tiger Mk II | B382100269 LRXFE | $100,000 - 150,000 | | 114 | 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray 427/450 Convertible | 194676S 102228 | $125,000 - 175,000 | | 115 | 1972 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS | 04268 | $325,000 - 375,000 | | 116 | 2019 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet Exclusive Series | WP0CD2A94KS 144636 | $300,000 - 350,000 | | 117 | 1953 Jaguar XK 120 Roadster | 674160 | $100,000 - 125,000 | | 119 | 1931 Cadillac V-16 Seven-Passenger Imperial | 703108 | $100,000 - 150,000 | | 120 | 1933 Cadillac V-16 All-Weather Phaeton | 5000082 | $300,000 - 350,000 | | 121 | 1936 Cadillac V-16 Town Sedan | 51-221 | $250,000 - 300,000 | | 122 | 1935 Cadillac V-16 Imperial Convertible Sedan | 51-143 | $600,000 - 750,000 | | 123 | 1932 Cadillac V-16 Five-Passenger Sedan | 1400238 | $175,000 - 225,000 | | 124 | 1930 Cadillac V-16 Sport Phaeton | 7-2597 | $900,000 - 1,200,000 | | 125 | 1939 Cadillac V-16 Convertible Coupe | 5290069 | $225,000 - 275,000 | | 126 | 1935 Cadillac V-12 Two-Passenger Coupe | 4100743 | $175,000 - 225,000 | | 127 | 1983 Lamborghini Countach LP500 | ZA9C00500CLA 12548 | $250,000 - 300,000 | | 128 | 1987 Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe | WP0JB0935HS 051263 | $180,000 - 220,000 | | 129 | 1931 Cadillac V-12 Convertible Coupe | 1003102 | $225,000 - 275,000 | | 130 | 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL “Pagoda” | 113.044.12. 014788 | $70,000 - 90,000 | | 131 | 1914 Chalmers Model 24 Touring | 24A762P | $80,000 - 110,000 | | 132 | 1956 Jaguar D-Type Replica | 1D 50661 BW | $200,000 - 240,000 | | 133 | 2019 McLaren Senna | SBM15ACA5KW 800087 | $1,100,000 - 1,250,000 | | 134 | 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray Z06 'Big Tank' Split-Window Coupe | 30837S114083 | $500,000 - 600,000 | | 135 | 1961 Sunbeam Harrington Alpine NART Coupe | B9106097 | $130,000 - 160,000 | | 136 | 1984 Ferrari 512 BBi | 49803 | $325,000 - 375,000 | | 137 | 1961 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8-Litre Roadster | 875274 | $225,000 - 275,000 | | 138 | 1925 Hispano-Suiza H6B Transformable | 11093 | $375,000 - 425,000 | | 139 | 1987 Ferrari Testarossa | 68663 | $95,000 - 115,000 | | 140 | 1954 Ferrari 250 Europa GT | 0377GT | $1,500,000 - 1,700,000 | | 141 | 1962 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk II BT7 | H-BT7-L/19072 | $60,000 - 75,000 | | 142 | 1941 Lincoln Zephyr | H 126488 | $60,000 - 80,000 | | 143 | 1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Phaeton | 812 31851 H | $225,000 - 275,000 | | 144 | 1989 Porsche 911 Turbo 'Flat Nose' Cabriolet | WP0EB0934KS 070508 | $275,000 - 325,000 | | 145 | 2014 Ferrari 458 Italia | 3238 | $200,000 - 250,000 | | 146 | 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 | 14239 | $475,000 - 575,000 | | 147 | 2018 Pagani Huayra Roadster | ZA9H12UA7JSF 76049 | $2,500,000 - 2,700,000 | | 148 | 1993 Ferrari 512 TR | 95077 | $200,000 - 250,000 | | 149 | 1941 Packard Custom 8 | 1429-2016 | $325,000 - 375,000 | | 150 | 2000 Bentley Continental R Mulliner | SCBZB25E6YCX 63316 | $150,000 - 200,000 | | 151 | 1962 Ferrari 250 GTE 2 2 Series II | 3547GT | $400,000 - 500,000 | | 152 | 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB 6C | 07241 | $1,800,000 - 2,200,000 | | 153 | 2017 Ferrari 488 Spider 70th Anniversary | 226129 | $350,000 - 400,000 | | 154 | 1969 Plymouth Road Runner | RM23H9G285668 | $150,000 - 180,000 | | 155 | 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing | 198.040.55 00594 | $1,150,000 - 1,300,000 | | 156 | 1927 Locomobile Model 90 Sportif | 33464 | $75,000 - 100,000 | | 157 | 1947 Chrysler Town and Country Sedan | 71000774 | $90,000 - 110,000 | | 158 | 1953 Buick Roadmaster | 16826421 | $90,000 - 120,000 | | 159 | 1954 Buick Skylark | 7A1061285 | $100,000 - 130,000 | | 160 | 1956 Buick Roadmaster Riviera | 7C4054384 | $40,000 - 60,000 | | 161 | 1959 Buick Electra 225 | 8F2007249 | $70,000 - 90,000 | | 162 | 1970 Buick GS 455 Stage 1 Sport Coupe | 446370H264513 | $40,000 - 50,000 | | 163 | 1956 Continental Mark II | C56F3054 | $90,000 - 110,000 | | 164 | 2005 Porsche Carrera GT | WP0CA29805L 001301 | $750,000 - 850,000 | | 165 | 1972 Porsche 911 T Coupe | 9112102356 | $100,000 - 125,000 | | 166 | 1937 MG SA Saloon | SA 2248 | $80,000 - 100,000 | | 167 | 1935 Packard Twelve | 827-218 | $150,000 - 180,000 | | 168 | 1970 Jaguar E-Type Series 2 4.2-Litre Roadster | 1R 13792 | $110,000 - 140,000 | | 169 | 1929 Auburn 120 Eight Cabriolet | 2951507 | $110,000 - 140,000 | | 170 | 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air | VC57J174887 | $80,000 - 100,000 | | 171 | 2017 Ferrari F12berlinetta | 226891 | $400,000 - 450,000 | | 172 | 1974 BMW 3.0 CS | 4310004 | $80,000 - 100,000 | | 173 | 1991 Alfa Romeo SZ | ZAR16200003 000440 | $80,000 - 100,000 | | 174 | 1929 Packard Custom 8 | 169785 | $75,000 - 110,000 | | 175 | 2007 Ford Shelby GT500 | 1ZVHT8955344226 | $75,000 - 100,000 | | 176 | 1965 Buick Riviera | 494475H926481 | $40,000 - 60,000 | | 177 | 1956 Ford Thunderbird | P6FH352869 | $35,000 - 45,000 | | | | | | | 203 | 1963 Chevrolet Impala | 31839J126334 | $30,000 - 40,000 | | 204 | 1986 Bertone X1/9 | ZBBBS00A6G 7157651 | $15,000 - 20,000 | | 205 | 1949 Kaiser Vagabond | K-492-038169 | $20,000 - 30,000 | | 206 | 1986 Zimmer Quicksilver | 1G2PF3790GP 242215 | $40,000 - 50,000 | | 207 | 2010 Chevrolet Callaway Corvette SC606 | 1G1YX3DW2A 5106882 | $40,000 - 60,000 | | 208 | 1991 Lotus Elan | SCCGA36B1MHF 28127 | $30,000 - 40,000 | | 209 | 1982 DeLorean DMC-12 | SCEDT26T5CD 010905 | $40,000 - 50,000 | | 210 | 2002 Dodge Viper GTS | 1B3ER69EX2V 102961 | $60,000 - 80,000 | | 211 | 1968 Fiat Dino Spider | 135AS 0001100 | $100,000 - 150,000 | | 212 | 1996 Chevrolet Corvette | 1G1YY2251T 5600364 | $40,000 - 60,000 | | 213 | 1991 Vector W8 Twin Turbo | 1V9VW2629MW 048009 | $300,000 - 450,000 | | 214 | 1990 GT Developments GTD40 | GTD40 07290 | $120,000 - 150,000 | | 215 | 1999 Panoz AIV Roadster | 1P9PA1829XB 213024 | $60,000 - 80,000 | | 216 | 1988 Chevrolet Callaway Corvette Twin Turbo Convertible | 1G1YY318XJ 5102534 | $75,000 - 100,000 | | 217 | 1972 Alfa Romeo Montreal | AR 1425442 | $100,000 - 130,000 | | 218 | 1967 Maserati Mistral Spyder | AM109/SA1 665 | $450,000 - 550,000 | | 219 | 1973 Maserati Bora | AM117/49 500 | $160,000 - 200,000 | | 220 | 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV | 4974 / 683 | $1,400,000 - 1,600,000 | | 221 | 1979 Porsche 911 Turbo | 9309801187 | $350,000 - 400,000 | | 222 | 1992 Lancia Delta HF Integrale | ZLA831AB 000576058 | $150,000 - 180,000 | | 223 | 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera S Endurance Racing Edition | WP0AB2A98HS 123312 | $150,000 - 175,000 | | 224 | 1966 Sunbeam Tiger Mk IA | B382002093 LRXFE | $80,000 - 100,000 | | 225 | 1963 Chevrolet Corvette | 30837S106704 | $140,000 - 180,000 | | 226 | 1953 Porsche 356 Coupe | 50790 | $125,000 - 150,000 | | 227 | 1936 Ford Roadster Custom | AZ347961 | $125,000 - 175,000 | | 228 | 1931 Rolls-Royce Phantom IV | S449MR | $150,000 - 200,000 | | 229 | 1963 Shelby 260 Cobra | CSX 2047 | $650,000 - 750,000 | | 230 | 1966 Lamborghini 400 GT 'Interim | 0463 | $575,000 - 650,000 | | 231 | 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk II | AM300/1114 | $180,000 - 220,000 | | 232 | 1962 Porsche 356 B 1600 'Twin Grille' Roadster | 89621 | $275,000 - 325,000 | | 233 | 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 Sc 'Sunroof' Coupe | 188.014.65. 00070 | $275,000 - 325,000 | | 234 | 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Coupe | 154143 | $1,000,000 - 1,500,000 | | 235 | 1967 Shelby GT500 | Z67400F5A 03114 | $150,000 - 200,000 | | 236 | 1976 Porsche 914 2.0 | 4762903888 | $60,000 - 70,000 | | 237 | 2008 Bugatti Veyron | VF9SA25C78M 795066 | $950,000 - 1,100,000 | | 238 | 2005 Morgan Aero | SA9AR281550J 00345 | $125,000 - 150,000 | | 239 | 1999 Shelby Series 1 Prototype | CSX 50X4 | $120,000 - 150,000 | | 240 | 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale A | 209707 | $550,000 - 650,000 | | 241 | 1968 Intermeccanica Italia Spyder | 50031 | $150,000 - 180,000 | | 242 | 1967 Ferrari 330 GTS | 9781 | $1,800,000 - 2,200,000 | | 243 | 1961 Porsche 356 B 1600S Super | 154048 | $125,000 - 160,000 | | 244 | 2008 Bentley Azure | SCBDC47L28CX 12801 | $75,000 - 100,000 | | 245 | 2018 Ferrari GTC4Lusso 70th Anniversary | 229194 | $375,000 - 475,000 | | 246 | 2017 Ford GT | 2FAGP9CW8HH 200040 | $750,000 - 1,000,000 | | 247 | 1948 Ford Marmon-Herrington Super Deluxe Station Wagon | 2341564 | $200,000 - $265,000 | | 248 | 1966 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 4.2-Litre Roadster | 1E 13321 | $225,000 - 275,000 | | 249 | 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC | 9449 | $500,000 - 600,000 | | 250 | 1960 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider | 1495F 07553 | $100,000 - 125,000 | | 251 | 1956 Continental Mark II | C56C2305 | $60,000 - 100,000 | | 252 | 1946 Hudson Series 58 Carrier Six ¾-Ton Pickup | 3850185 | $40,000 - 50,000 | | 253 | 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet PF Series I | 0913GT | $6,000,000 - 7,000,000 | | 254 | 1966 Shelby GT350 | SFM 6S1518 | $150,000 - 180,000 | | 255 | 1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS | 07898 | $300,000 - 350,000 | | 256 | 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster | 198.042.75 00555 | $950,000 - 1,150,000 | | 257 | 1979 Ferrari 512 BB Custom | 28981 | $225,000 - 275,000 | | 258 | 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren | WDDAK76F09M 001924 | $300,000 - 350,000 | | 259 | 1958 Porsche 356 A 1600 S Cabriolet | 150730 | $175,000 - 200,000 | | 260 | 1972 Maserati Ghibli SS 4.9 Coupe | AM115/49 2372 | $275,000 - 325,000 | | 261 | 1971 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 | 109.018.12. 004819 | $75,000 - 125,000 | | 262 | 2003 Ferrari 575M Maranello | 133408 | $100,000 - 120,000 | | 263 | 1960 Facel Vega HK500 | HK1 BS2X | $225,000 - 275,000 | | 264 | 1987 Porsche 911 Turbo 'Flat Nose' Cabriolet | WP0EB0937HS 070141 | $150,000 - 200,000 | | 265 | 1971 Ford Bronco Custom | U14FLK28162 | $70,000 - 90,000 | | 266 | 1953 Spartan Spartanette Tandem 131 | 31-53-A208 | $75,000 - 125,000 | | 267 | 2005 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti | 138987 | $100,000 - 125,000 | | 268 | 1967 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk III (BJ8) | H-BJ8-L/36920 | $70,000 - 90,000 | | 269 | 1966 Maserati Mexico 4.7 Coupe | AM112/1 026 | $125,000 - 175,000 | | 270 | 1970 Jaguar E-Type Series 2 4.2-Litre Fixed Head Coupe | P1R 28035 | $75,000 - 100,000 | | 271 | 1956 Austin-Healey 100/4 (BN2) | BN2-L/232735 | $75,000 - 100,000 | | 272 | 1978 Lotus Esprit SE | 78010621H | $50,000 - 70,000 | | 273 | 1941 Ford V-8 Super DeLuxe Station Wagon | 18-6325382 | $65,000 - 85,000 | |
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