Vehicle Description
As a crippling economic depression loomed over much of the global
economy, the world's premier automakers faced an uncertain future.
Yet, firms including Packard, Cadillac, Rolls-Royce, Hispano, and
many others continued rolling out increasingly glamorous,
sophisticated, and exclusive motorcars. 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 as the 180-horsepower,
5.4-liter 540 K. The 500 K and 540 K are among the most coveted of
all 30's classics, with breathtaking performance, exquisite
quality, and abundant style. The 500 K was the German answer to
cars like the Duesenberg Model J or Rolls-Royce Phantom II
Continental - a powerful, high-performance machine built to take
full advantage of Germany's all-new high-speedautobahnsystem.
Customer demand for Mercedes' flagship was sufficient 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. Of the 342 500 K chassis
produced, the vast majority, 301, were clothed at Sindelfingen,
reinforcing the integrity of the factory designs. Just 90 of these
featured the four-passenger Cabriolet C body, a blind-quarter
four-passenger convertible, which American manufacturers often
called a Convertible Victoria. Marque historian Jonathan
Sierakowski estimates that only 20 of these 90 cars still exist, of
which 16 are original left-hand-drive examples. The example offered
here, car number 113715, is one of those surviving Cabriolet Cs.
Recorded by Mercedes-Benz underKommissionnumber 209800, the factory
archive indicates it was delivered on 12 October 1935 to a customer
in Hamburg. While little of the car's pre-war history is known, it
resurfaced around 1980 when it was discovered in the ownership of
the late collector Izzy Dupont of Columbus, Ohio. Marque experts
have recalled that the car was still in fine condition at the time.
It was then acquired from Mr. Dupont's estate by collector Richard
Wesselink of Thousand Oaks, California. Mr. Wesselink recalled
purchasing the car and commissioning its restoration by the
renowned Hill & Vaughn between 1984 and 1985, noting that at this
time, partner Phil Hill was still actively involved and personally
participated in completing the work. Finished in a striking
two-tone scarlet livery with a beige interior piped in maroon, the
500 K participated in the 1985 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance,
winning its class. Mr. Wesselink recounted that Mercedes-Benz was
sufficiently impressed with the 500 K that they asked to use it in
their 100th-anniversary celebrations, and Wesselink subsequently
loaned it to the factory for display and to use in their
advertisements. The most recent collection acquired the 500 K in
the mid-1980s and maintained it in their private collection until
2022. There is little doubt why Hill & Vaughn is regarded as one of
the finest restoration shops of all time, as the 1980s restoration
has aged remarkably well, and the car still presents in superb
condition, even after more than 35 years. Appropriate to the
quality of their work, the cosmetics are still highly appealing,
with the paintwork and chrome largely holding up very well. The
handsome coachwork featured dual side-mount spares in skirted
fenders, correct Bosch headlamps, a central fog lamp, and a neatly
integrated trunk. It rides on chrome wire wheels with signature
large-diameter center hubs and black wall Dunlop Sport tires. The
beige upholstery remains highly attractive and in good order, with
just some light age and stretching apparent in the leather. The
woodwork remains gorgeous, and the mother-of-pearl instrument
cluster inlay is a work of art. Under the hood remains clean and
attractive, with extensive engine-turned finishes adding an
appropriately flamboyant touch, and the car retains its original
chassis and motor stampings corresponding with factory records.
Following a long period of static display, additional sorting is
recommended to return it to its full capabilities. Sindelfingen's
handsome Cabriolet C is a beautiful match for the 500 K chassis,
offering the practicality of a family-friendly four-place interior
with the beauty of a blind-quarter top and all the performance and
excitement of a supercharged pre-war Mercedes-Benz. This lovely
example is sure to impress, however, and wherever it is enjoyed.
Offers welcome and trades considered For additional details please
view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7376-1937-mercedes-benz-500-k-cabriolet-c/
