Vehicle Description
The 1930s were a tumultuous time for many of the world's premier
automakers; as a crippling economic depression loomed over much of
the global economy, Packard, Cadillac, Rolls-Royce, Hispano, and
many others continued rolling out increasingly glamorous,
sophisticated, and expensive automobiles. Mercedes-Benz carried the
pride of Germany with their magnificent eight-cylinder supercharged
models, starting with the 380 of 1933. Nearly as soon as the 380
hit the market, engineers in Stuttgart began developing its
replacement, the mighty 5-liter, 160-horsepower 500 K. The ultimate
evolution of the series arrived in late 1936 with the
180-horsepower, 5.4-liter 540 K. The 500 K and 540 K are among the
most coveted of all 30's motor cars, offering breathtaking
performance, exquisite quality, and impeccable style in abundance.
Customer demand for Mercedes' flagship was sufficient enough to see
the production of 342 500 K chassis and another 419 540 Ks. The
vast majority of these cars were bodied at the factory's own
Sindelfingen body works, a facility renowned for impeccable build
quality and excellence in design. Even after more than 85 years,
these cars remain among the most coveted collectible automobiles.
There was no definitive point when the 500 K ended, and the 540 K
began as one model gradually evolved into the next. The first
thirteen 5.4-liter cars (from chassis 130901) were technically
still 500 Ks, and many late 500s had visual and technical features
that were standard on the 540. According to comprehensive research
compiled by Sierakowski Classic Car Advisors, our featured example,
chassis 130885, is one such "transition model" 500 K with the
5.0-liter engine and 540-style details. Visual cues include hood
grilles in place of the earlier louvers, two-piece bumpers with
wide rubber strips, bright trim pieces fitted to the lower front
fender skirts, and painted metal spare tire covers. Aside from its
appealing interim specification, chassis number 130885 is
particularly intriguing as it is one of just a handful of these
cars delivered new to the United States. The overwhelming majority
of 500/540 Ks were sold new in Europe, especially with home-market
examples, many can possess clouded narratives during the war. In
the case of 130885, the history is exceptionally well-documented,
back to factory build records. The Mercedes-Benz Zertifikat and
works commission papers show this car left the factory in left-hand
drive, finished in black, and fitted with Sindelfingen's handsome
"Cabriolet C" body style - typically referred to as a "convertible
Victoria" in American parlance. The open four-seater design
features blind quarters in the soft top, exposed landau irons, and
a taut, close-coupled body that maintains the elegant, subtly
sporting proportions for which these cars are so widely adored. Of
the 301 Sindelfingen-bodied 500 Ks, about 90 wore the Cabriolet C
body, and it is estimated that approximately 20 survive today.
Chassis 130885 arrived in the USA in May 1936 via the official
distributor, Mitropa Motors, in New York, New York. A sales order
dated June 25, 1936, lists the buyer as Mr. V.H. Borsodi, an oilman
from Houston, Texas. The sales price is listed as $9,800, with a
trade-in allowance of $4,000 for a 12-cylinder Packard LeBaron
Speedster! Mr. Borsodi likely bought the car for his son, Victor H.
Borsodi, Jr., who resided in New York at the time. By 1939, Victor
Jr. married and moved to Houston to work at his father's oil
company, leaving the Mercedes-Benz behind in New York City. Copies
of period advertisements show the car was likely consigned with
high-end car dealers L.F. Jacod & Co., which described it as black
with a red interior and in "equal to new" condition. While the war
years typically cloud the histories of many similar Mercedes, we
know that 130885 was in California in 1944, where it (ironically)
made a brief cameo in the Hollywood propaganda filmEnemy of Women.A
still from that film shows the car's 540 K style hood grilles,
fender strips, and covered side mounts, and that someone added
American-style bumpers and fog lights. In the late 1940s, the 500 K
was advertised for rent by Joe Reindl, a well-known Mercedes-Benz
mechanic in Los Angeles who supplied cars to the movie studios.
Several photos from the late 1940s and into the early 1950s reveal
the 500 K was kept in excellent condition, with minimal alterations
to its original specification. By 1951, it was in the hands of an
enthusiast, who displayed the car in various concours d'elegance
events. Documents show that William and Frances Cockrane of San
Diego, California owned 130885 from the early 1960s through the
early 1980s and that by 1984 it was in the care of Jack Rowe of
Denver, Colorado. A photo dated 1984 shows it still in its black
over red livery and essentially unchanged since the 1960s. Between
1986 and 1988, Mr. Rowe undertook an exhaustive body-off
restoration, bringing the car to concours-quality standards. In
1992, Rowe sold the Mercedes to the Blackhawk Collection in
Danville, California, who, in turn, sold it to Mr. Alphonse
SanClemente of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, in 2001. The SanClemente
family were no strangers to caring for a supercharged
Mercedes-Benz, as Al's father owned a 540 K for more than 30 years,
putting 130885 in excellent company in Al's impressive collection
of significant automobiles. Alphonse expected the most from his
cars, and he continually improved the restoration of the 500 K to
ensure it performed at its peak - with service notes revealing how
he demanded it to be smooth and refined at 65+ mph. Photos on file
document much of SanClemente's work, including fitting a new top,
repainting the wings and running boards, and extensive mechanical
work totaling $300,000. Al showed the car extensively in Classic
Car Club of America events, earning 1st Place, Primary Division in
2004, with 98.5 points, and then earning 1st Place Senior Division
in 2008 with a 99.5 point score. The most recent owner acquired
this 500 K in 2019, adding it to his extensive collection of
pre-war automobiles and maintaining it in superb order. It remains
a splendid machine, with exquisite paintwork and detailing that
belies the age of the initial restoration. The aubergine paintwork
is in excellent order, accented with gorgeous brightwork and trim.
The chrome wire wheels are shod with appropriately sporty black
wall Michelin tires, and the side-mount spares wear the correct
body-color metal covers. The black canvas top was fitted during Al
SanClemente's ownership and is pristine. Tan leather upholstery has
taken on a slight character from use while remaining supple and
well-presented. Other cockpit details include exquisite woodwork,
fully restored VDO gauges - including the speedometer in miles -
and a breathtaking Mother of Pearl instrument panel. With desirable
attributes including left-hand drive, US history from new, and
unique factory specification, the availability of this outstanding
example represents an unrepeatable opportunity, even in the
rarified world ofKompressorMercedes-Benz. Offers welcome and trades
considered For additional details please view this listing directly
on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7303-1936-mercedes-benz-500k-cabriolet-c/
