Restored 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet B with period-correct supercharged engine set for global concours appearances.
One of the rarest and most revered pre-war grand tourers, a 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet B, has resurfaced in concours-ready condition following a meticulous restoration and a $23,000 mechanical overhaul by marque expert Rolf Wagner.
Chassis number 169367, originally completed at Mercedes-Benz’s storied Sindelfingen facility, represents one of only 419 examples produced between 1936 and 1939. Featuring a supercharged 5.4-liter straight-eight engine, the 540K was the ultimate luxury-performance expression of its era — designed to ferry Europe’s elite across long distances with authority and grace.
This particular Cabriolet B, denoting a second-series body with a formal rear seat, was first assigned to the Kores Company AG in February 1938. That order was canceled, and by April it was sold to the Märkische Baugesellschaft in Berlin. The vehicle has since passed through a series of collectors, including Portuguese enthusiast José Miguel Rodrigues, and eventually made its way to the U.S., where it remained in private hands until 2023.
Expertly restored by Mercedes specialist Rolf Bunte, the car retains its original chassis number and data plate, though its engine is believed to be a period-correct replacement lacking the factory-serialized stamping — a common occurrence among pre-war survivors. A documented engine tune-up and carburetor rebuild completed in 2022 by Wagner ensure that the car is as mechanically sound as it is visually striking.
Finished in a stately black and grey exterior over dark green leather and burled walnut trim, the 540K pairs Art Deco elegance with the brutish charm of external supercharger pipes and chromed wire wheels. The mother-of-pearl dash inlay adds a touch of opulence to an already regal interior.
Included with the vehicle are original-style documents, restoration photos, and a convertible top boot. As a concours-ready pre-war icon, this 540K represents an extraordinary opportunity for collectors seeking the pinnacle of German automotive craftsmanship and heritage. See it here.
