1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster

Coachwork by Sindelfingen

This is the most exciting Mercedes 540K Special Roadster to be offered to the public in years. Purchased new at a cost of $16,000 by the 23-year-old King of Afghanistan, Mohammad Zahir Shah, this magnificent 540K was one of his most treasured possessions. At the outbreak of World War II, the King sent the car to France where it was hidden at the Afghanistan embassy in Paris. In 1948 the King gave it to the Prince of Afghanistan who then brought it to England, driving it occasionally around London. The Prince subsequently sold the 540K in 1953 to Chipstead Motors Limited in London. Mr. A.W. Giles of Old Catton, Norwich, England purchased the car on behalf of noted car collector Mr. Vernon D. Jarvis of Jacksonville, Florida in December of that same year. Mr. Jarvis had the car shipped to Florida with only 11,700 Original miles and restored the car to original colors and specifications and placed it in his “Carriage Cavalcade” motor and carriage museum at a Florida tourist-attraction in Silver Springs.  Later it was owned by another well-known collector, Bob Bahre, before disappearing from public view for the last 30 years.

Today, having only covered 880 miles since the restoration nearly 70 years ago, this is one of the top 540K Special Roadsters in the world which shows a remarkable state of preservation, still wearing the same paint and supple leather interior that was installed when it was restored, creating an elegant old-world patina rarely seen on a car of such significance and pedigree.