Bojan Vrbnjak
Old Lady in the Spotlight: Specials roadster 500 K is a star in Mercedes-Benz Museum. Why is this one 500 K so fascinating? Because of course colors. But the manufacturer himself says: “It's a remarkable car sculpture whose elegance effortlessly oozes from the 30s to the present day. It combines the best technology, extremely elegant style and luxurious equipment.” There is some truth in this.
Mercedes-Benz 500K was premiered at the International Automobile and Motorcycle Show (IAMA) in Berlin from 8 to 18 March 1934, i.e. before 90 years. There, the luxury car presented itself as a spectacular "highway courier” with a closed, aerodynamically optimized body. A special roadster with a built-in radiator is the eighth and most expensive version of the body, which was added to the range in October 1934: it cost 28.000 of the then Reichsmark.
An exorbitant amount for which they could easily buy at the time independent house in the best location. This naturally narrows the circle of buyers: Famous names from around the world culture, show business, economy and politics they buy 500 K – and at the same time decorate with this vehicle. The great effort that went into making a special roadster, us yet today it impresses. It starts with design. Bodywork with large, elegant curved fenders and the meter-long bonnet was designed by a stylist Friedrich Geiger. Today we would call him a designer. After the war, he also designed a model 300SL Gullwing and as his last project a model W 116, first class S.
Interior reminds of elegant salon. Leather caresses the driver and front passenger and is used for seat and door upholstery with superior craftsmanship. Everything is color coordinated. The driver's hands are holding the steering wheel in ivory color. The driver's gaze rests on the dashboard with instruments as from a watchmaker's workshop. Even then they had many customers individual preferences, so the vehicles are under guidance Hermann Ahrens produced as one-off examples in the department for the production of special vehicles at the factory in Sindelfingen – the then title for the best bodywork. Sign "Sindelfingen bodywork” on the side of the special roadster was a mark of quality. So to speak "sacred metal".
A lot of effort has also been put into the bodywork. Engine M 29 with the charger is legendary in the 500 K model. It can 74 kW (100 HP) and 118 kW (160 HP) with the charger switched on. Double-leaf Roots blower, located in front of the carburetor, is activated by moving the accelerator pedal beyond the full throttle position through the pressure point (kickdown effect). This is followed by the characteristic rumble of the charger and an immediately noticeable increase in power. Consumption? If you can afford it 500 K, you won't think about it. By the standards of the time, a modern 500 K model chassis taken from the model Mercedes-Benz 380 (W 22), engine power was taken into account. Daimler Benz the patent protected design with trapezoidal linkage front axle and swing rear axle was not only advanced but quickly became a common feature automotive techniques, which is still valid today and is used worldwide. The design of the rear axle enables high speeds with exceptional driving safety.
500 K invites you to indulge in the details. What can the step on the rear fender be for? Surprise – the special roadster is not a two-seater. A hatch inside opens up another bench seat commonly known as “mother-in-law seat". The staircase makes it easier to enter. Model 500 K was already rare in the 1930s. Between the years 1934 in 1936 was only produced 342 copies in all body versions. He immediately followed suit model 540 K with a larger displacement engine. Today, both versions of the series W 29 at auctions guaranteed for the highest prices. Occasionally even exceeds the 10 million mark.
Especially special ones roadster is so sought after that body shops from 50s of the last century they further convert sedans or convertibles into special roadsters in the hope of increasing their value. Of course, they only reach the highest prices original vehicles from Sindelfingen. Experts at Mercedes Benz Classic they can establish the authenticity beyond doubt.
