1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K 'Special Roadster'

1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K 'Special Roadster' Coachwork in the Style of Sindelfingen

Chassis 169317 received a one-off body by The Lancefield Coachworks Limited, a well-known English builder of stylish coachwork, designed to clothe the very best chassis. More than 150 bodies for Rolls-Royce chassis were constructed prior to the outbreak of World War II, but other important chassis included Bentley, Stutz, Isotta Fraschini and Daimler. Most displayed a sporty yet elegant flair that was very different from the somber coachwork such chassis were often laden down with. Chassis 169317 carries one of these charismatic and attractive bodies, with the added attraction of a fully disappearing top, making it one of those rare cars that look even more elegant when in the open configuration.

According to the Mercedes-Benz Classic Archives, 169317 was delivered as a bare RHD chassis to Mercedes-Benz London on 14 February 1938. Like other ultra-luxury models of the era, the 540 K chassis was offered to the carriage trade. Nevertheless most customers opted for one of the many in-house body styles by Sindelfingen. This makes chassis 169317 is one of the very rare 540 K chassis bodied by an outside coachbuilder. By that token, it is not just a graceful and handsome sporting automobile mounted on one of the most coveted and powerful pre-war chassis. 169317 represents a unique one-off effort by a highly regarded British coachbuilder, in a refined red over black livery that presents here.

Descriptions & pictures by bonhams