The stunning 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster that you’re looking at right now was put under the hammer at an RM Sotheby’s auction for $9.9 million, but surely you’re not surprised by this price tag. Just one quick look at this car is enough to realize how much it’s actually worth, especially since it represents one of the earliest examples of the 540 K. Moreover, this is a pre-production unit that was delivered early to the United States, which makes it even more exclusive and sought-after.
Its odometer indicates just 10,227 miles, which means that it barely ran on the road at all. The drivetrain is entirely original, and it is based on a 5.4-liter eight-cylinder engine complemented by a driver-activated Roots-type supercharger that guarantees a total output of 180 horsepower. Without the supercharger, the engine delivers 115 horsepower, which is still respectable for a car from 1937. Other details include servo-assisted hydraulic drum brakes, an independent swing-arm rear suspension and an independent wishbone coil front suspension.
