Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster At Dubai Motor Show

Posted by www.eMercedesBenz.com on December 16, 2005 at 1:50 PM CST

After reading our last story about the CLS 55 Ingenieur, there's  
probably a few of you that thought "The Ingenieur is nice, but I want  
something a little more... classic."

If you're looking for the ultimate in classic, and exlusivity for  
that matter, look no further than the Dubai Motor Show.

E.Thiesen Automobile Raritaten, a company that specializes in  
collecting and restoring genuine classic cars, has brought one of the  
rarest and most expensive Mercedes-Benz in the world to showcase at  
the Middle-Eastern auto show - a 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special  
Roadster.

So how rare is it?  Between 1936 and 1939, only 419 540K's were built  
by Mercedes-Benz in a variety of 10 different body styles. Of the  
Special Roadster version, only 25 examples were built, and today only  
10 models remain in the world.

According to Dr. Rainer Herst of E. Thiesen: "It took a team of  
sophisticated mechanics and very knowledgeable engineers eight years  
to rebuild and restore the car to its perfect condition.”  He added:  
"Thousands of visitors to the show are intrigued by this outstanding  
automobile from a different era and ask me if this is a replica of an  
old car. That's when I explain to them that this is an original, a  
collector's item. More like a piece of art.”

Although it's difficult to put a price on art, that hasn't stopped E.  
Thiesen from trying. How much is it?  A mere EUR 1.9 million, or  
approximately $2.28 million.

Although the price may be shocking, it's a steal when compared to  
another Mercedes 540K Special Roadster originally owned by Warner  
Brother's Jack Warner.  The selling price of his 540K? $3.63 million.

To view more Mercedes-Benz news and information, visit eMercedesBenz  
at www.eMercedesBenz.com