Vehicle Description
1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet A Conversion This 1939
Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet was converted from its original
Cabriolet B coachwork to sportier Cabriolet A-style coachwork by
Swiss coachbuilder and restorer Walter Kng of Basel, Switzerland.
This new coachwork had no quarter windows or rear seat and featured
a lower front windshield, allowing for a lower-cut roofline, giving
the Mercedes-Benz a slim appearance. Kng was a second-generation
coachbuilder and was later entrusted with the restoration of the
Mercedes-Benz Museum?s cars when his business shifted its focus
towards restoration. Resplendent in maroon with a cream-colored
leather interior, this striking, supercharged Mercedes-Benz would
be a welcome entry at multiple concours events worldwide. With its
beautifully maintained older restoration, the car is sure to
attract further accolades under the next owner?s continued care.
Built in extremely limited numbers 419 chassis in all most of the
Mercedes-Benz 540 Ks were clothed in elegant bodies designed by
Sindelfingen, the official carrosserie of Daimler-Benz. The 540 K
utilized an overhead valve, eight-cylinder engine and, with the
supercharger engaged, delivered massive torque and a
locomotive-like 180 bhp. According to a report by Jonathan
Sierakowski on file, this 540 K, chassis 408420, was ordered new by
German air force field marshal Erhard Milch as a
Sindelfingen-bodied Cabriolet B in June 1939. While little is known
of Milch?s ownership of the open-bodied 540 K, the car?s next known
ownership dates to the mid-1980s, when Swiss coachbuilder and
restorer Walter Kng of Basel, Switzerland, converted the
Mercedes-Benz from its original Cabriolet B coachwork to sportier
Cabriolet A-style coachwork.By 1988, the 540 K made its way to
England, and by 1991 the car was acquired by American car collector
Fred M. Kemp Sr. of Missouri. Mr. Kemp founded the Kemp Auto
Museum, a Mercedes-Benz museum in Chesterfield, Missouri, that
contained multiple 540 Ks, where this Cabriolet was displayed in
pride of place. Kemp, together with his family, exhibited the 540 K
at numerous concours events throughout the US, often being awarded
significant Mercedes-Benz and First in Class honors. These venues
included the Meadow Brook Concours d?Elegance, Amelia Island
Concours d?Elegance, and Cincinnati Concours d?Elegance, among
others. Upon Mr. Kemp?s passing in 2015, the Mercedes-Benz was
acquired by noted enthusiast Donald Davis of Fort Worth, Texas. In
2016, the 540 K became a part of the Munday Auto Collection in
Austin, Texas. Bill Munday assembled a vast collection, which
included Duesenbergs, V-16 Cadillacs, custom coachwork Rolls-Royce,
and other notable classics. The previous owner acquired the 540 K
from the Munday Auto Collection and had diligently cared for the
car while only using it sparingly during his ownership.Considered
the pre-eminent Mercedes-Benz model of the Classic Era, no prewar
collection is complete without a 540 K adorned with open
coachwork.Chassis 408420Engine 408420 The Pre-eminent Mercedes-Benz
Model of the 1930s Beautifully Appointed in Maroon over
Cream-Colored Leather Interior Multiple Concours Award Winner
Beautifully Maintained Older Restoration A Classic Era
Mercedes-Benz of Exquisite Design and ProportionPrice: $825,000
