1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster

Coachwork by Mayfair

One-Off Coachwork

Chassis no. 154080

Motor No. 154080

Kommission No. 227800

• Prominently featured in Jan Melin’s “The Supercharged 8-Cylinder Cars”

Stunningly presented, the Mayfair bodied 540K offered here is a beautiful example of the English coachbuilding firm’s masterwork. With a long known history and an award winning frame-off restoration, this is one of the most unique and handsome examples of an open 540K Mercedes.

Specifications:
180bhp 5,401cc overhead valve inline eight cylinder engine with driver activated and gear driven Rootes type supercharger, twin updraft pressurized carburetors, four-speed transmission with synchromesh on third and a dog clutch on fourth, independent wishbone coil front suspension, independent swing arm rear suspension, and four-wheel servo-assisted hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 128″

Clearly, there was more money to be made in catering to the carriage trade, and that probably triggered the desire for a more refined chassis – albeit one that would preserve Mercedes-Benz’s reputation for engineering excellence.
The first result, introduced in 1933, was the 380, a supercharged overhead valve inline eight-cylinder engine. Power output was modest, at 90bhp naturally aspirated or 120bhp with blower engaged, but its refinement and smoothness made the potential clear. With its attractive Sindelfingen coachwork, 157 chassis were built. Performance, while acceptable, was not outstanding, particularly with the heavier coachwork resulting from customer demand for even more luxurious bodies.

Recognizing the need for more power, in 1934 Mercedes-Benz introduced the 500K (“K” for Kompressor, German for supercharger). With power increased to 100bhp or 160bhp with the supercharger engaged, the cars were finally among the fastest grand touring cars of the time. Even though the 380 had been supercharged, the K designation and new external exhaust left no doubt about the car’s very special chassis.

342 cars had been built before the introduction of the 5.4-liter 540K in 1936. Although similar in many respects to the 500K, the new model offered even more power: 115bhp naturally aspirated, or an impressive 180bhp with the blower engaged. A 12″ increase in wheelbase to 128″ improved ride quality, and gave the master coachbuilders at Sindelfingen more room to create even longer and more elegant lines.

According to Jan Melin in his book Supercharged Mercedes-Benz 8, just 419 of the 540K chassis were built before production ended in 1940. A total of eleven standard body styles were created by Sindelfingen for the 540K, each one a masterpiece of the coachbuilder’s art. Less than ten carried custom coachwork by a U.K. coachbuilder, including this One-Off built by the Mayfair Carriage Co. Their designs managed to combine an air of lightness with elegance and a little flash – not unlike this lovely 540K Special Roadster offered here.

Chassis No. 154080
We are proud to offer this 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster with a One-Off body by the Mayfair Carriage Co.

It is at once sleek and pretty, sporting and elegant. With its folding windshield and extensive use of louvers, it is undeniably sporting – while the flowing lines and skirted rear fenders lend an air of elegance to the design. The coachwork is much lighter than the more traditional closed bodies traditionally fitted to these chassis, yielding sparkling performance – particularly when the blower is engaged.

Ordered with set-back radiator, meant for open cars and factory roadsters in particular. The factory referred to this variation as “Fahrgestell mit zurűckgesetztem Motor” (chassis with setback motor).  Although externally identifiable by the relative position of the radiator over the front axle, in fact, the radiator and entire drivetrain were set back 185 mm.  This gave the car a completely different air, with an opportunity for a more aggressive front end and an overall longer, lower appearance.

Mercedes-Benz chassis records indicate that this car was shipped on October 7th, 1936 to the factory store in Paris France – an unusual destination for a RHD chassis, particularly one that would later receive an English body. It is an anomaly that may never be explained, but adds to the exotic aura that surrounds the car.

It interesting to note also that Michael Frostick, in his book “The Mighty Mercedes”, lists the car among the other UK chassis – but does not provide any further details (as he does for most of the other cars). Historians have speculated that the car’s origins in Paris may account for this, as it may have been ordered by a British expatriate living in Paris, then later shipped to London for the body to be constructed. According to another source, the original commission was for an Indian Majarajah, which would also explain the RHD chassis. In either case, Frositck would not have had access to the details available for more conventional orders.

This 540K was in London during the early 1950s before being purchased by a Peter Hessler of Quebec City, Canada who only had the Mercedes for a short period of time. It then made its way in the hands of an enthusiast named Paul Suckling who lived in Toronto. In 1968, the car was purchased by publisher Richard C. Mertz, a Detroit area collector, who imported it to America and began to restore this 540K with his son Steve Mertz.

During the restoration the Panel work was undertaken by Alcraft, a Detroit area prototype shop. The balance of the work was handled by the owner and his son, along with Harry Flynn, Harry Kennedy, and John Graham. Bud Cohn of California supplied many of the small parts. In 1984, during the restoration process, Richard Mertz passed away, leaving the car to his son, Stephen Mertz, of Royal Oak, MI.

In 1994, this 540K was offer for sale, joining the world-class collection of casino owner Ralph Englestad of Las Vegas, Nevada. Englestad, commissioned a second restoration to upgrade the car to concours condition, changing the car from black over silver to red which restoration photos are available. Shortly after Englestad’s death in 2002, the Mayfair 540K joined a well-known Southern California collection, where it was displayed in the company of other stellar examples of the marque.

In 2007, we purchased this beautiful 540K where it has been surrounded by some of the world’s finest cars and always has been a show stopper. If you are looking for a car that no-one else has and want to take part in the top events around the world, this would be an excellent choice.