The title of “Best of Show” at the Pebble Beach event was awarded to the Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster, a supercharged luxury vehicle renowned for its exclusivity. Originating in 1937, this rare automobile featured unique coachwork tailored for the King of Afghanistan. Through a meticulous restoration in close collaboration with Mercedes-Benz Heritage in Stuttgart, the car triumphed over a distinguished selection of classic automobiles during the 2023 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance held from August 17 to 20.
This achievement marked the tenth instance of a Mercedes-Benz vehicle securing the “Best of Show” accolade since the inauguration of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 1950. Consequently, Mercedes-Benz established itself as the most successful brand in the history of this esteemed event within the classic car realm.
Originally commissioned by King Mohammed Zahir Shah of Afghanistan in May 1937, the 540 K Special Roadster was delivered to him in September of the same year. The King’s preference for this remarkable Mercedes-Benz creation, characterized by its elegant Sindelfingen bodywork, showcased a fusion of performance and speed. Its design featured distinctive elements like high door side lines, gracefully curved body contours, a recessed radiator, and a flowing rear end with a concealed spare wheel. After changing hands only five times over seven decades, the current owner acquired the vehicle for $9.9 million at an auction during the 2022 Pebble Beach Automotive Week.
Marcus Breitschwerdt, the Head of Mercedes-Benz Heritage, expressed his pride in contributing to this achievement by collaborating closely with RM Auto Restoration and leveraging the expertise of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center and archives.
Following the auction, the 540 K Special Roadster underwent a meticulous restoration adhering to strict authenticity standards, conducted by RM Auto Restoration in collaboration with the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center. This restoration process also involved the dedicated support of Mercedes-Benz Heritage experts and detailed documentation from the Mercedes-Benz Classic archives in Fellbach.
The expertise amassed by Mercedes-Benz Classic experts also extended to producing highly regarded expert reports, especially for rare and high-quality historic vehicles of the brand. These reports, based on extensive archival research and vehicle analyses, contribute to a comprehensive understanding of each classic’s history and authenticity.
The vehicle’s historical journey began with its order by the Afghan royal court in 1937, followed by various international transfers. Despite its extensive history, the 540 K Special Roadster remained remarkably preserved in its authentic condition and has seen minimal mileage.
Owned by Jim Patterson, the car joins other gems from his collection that have previously secured “Best of Show” titles at Pebble Beach, such as the Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A Worblaufen Cabriolet (1924) and Delage D8 S de Villars Roadster (1933).
Mercedes-Benz’s Untertürkheim plant produced a total of 760 chassis for the W 29 series’ 500 K and 540 K models between 1934 and 1939, with various body variants crafted at the Sindelfingen plant’s special vehicle workshop, including around 60 units with roadster bodywork.
