The 1930s witnessed the rise of the Autobahn in Germany, a network of high-speed motorways that demanded a new breed of automobile. The Mercedes-Benz 500K emerged as the answer, representing the zenith of automotive engineering and luxury of its era. This vehicle wasn’t merely transportation; it was a statement, a fusion of groundbreaking technology and opulent design, perfectly embodied in the 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K Special Roadster.
Technically sophisticated for its time, the 500K boasted all-independent suspension using swing axles, ensuring a remarkably smooth ride even at speed. Adding to its advanced nature was a semi-automatic engagement for direct drive top gear, simplifying high-speed cruising. However, the true marvel lay under the hood: the supercharged straight-eight engine. Drawing on Mercedes-Benz’s expertise in aero-engine design, the supercharger was an “at will” system, a precursor to modern turbo boost. It was designed to provide a surge of power when needed most – for overtaking or conquering steep inclines.
The supercharger engaged with a distinctive roar when the accelerator pedal was pressed fully, unleashing up to 50% additional horsepower. This wasn’t a subtle boost; it was a visceral experience. As H.S. Linfield of The Autocar eloquently described in 1936, “One’s foot goes hard down, and an almost demoniacal howl comes in…the rev counter and speedometer needles leap round their dials: there is perhaps no other car noise in the world so distinctive as that produced by the Mercedes supercharger.” Linfield concluded, “This is a master car for the very few. The sheer insolence of its power affords an experience on its own.”
The heart of the 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K was its 5,018 cc straight-eight engine, a direct descendant of the supercharged Kompressor lineage initiated with the 380K in 1932. This was an automobile designed for exclusivity, both in performance and clientele. Developed under the guidance of Dr. Hans Nibel, Mercedes-Benz’s chief engineer and a former racing driver, the 500K debuted in 1934. Production was intentionally limited, with only 354 chassis of all body styles produced before the 540K succeeded it: 105 in 1934, 190 in 1935, and 59 in 1936.
While the 500K chassis played host to a variety of stunning coachwork, the Spezial Roadster body, crafted in-house by Mercedes-Benz’s Karrosserie Sindelfingen under the artistry of Hermann Ahrens, was undeniably the most breathtaking. The Special Roadster commanded a premium price – 28,000 Reichsmark (USD 11,200) compared to the standard Roadster’s 22,000 Reichsmark (USD 8,800). This elevated price point allowed for bespoke customization, resulting in variations within the Special Roadster lineage. The “long tail” variant, characterized by its extended rear deck, became particularly sought after, its elongated silhouette enhancing the car’s inherent elegance.
The esteemed automotive historian Griffith Borgeson captured the essence of Ahrens’ roadster designs, writing, “There is a harmony and balance of line and mass…which very simply defies any conceivable improvement. They are sculptural perfection… For many people of taste, more beautiful cars will never be designed and built.” This sentiment resonated with influential figures of 1930s Germany. Reichsmarschall Hermann Goering famously owned an eggshell-blue Special Roadster, later nicknamed “The Blue Goose” by US paratroops who seized it. Another notable owner was Adolf Hühnlein, head of Nazi motorsport, whose influence supported Mercedes-Benz’s racing dominance in the 1930s.
The production of the Special Roadster was exceptionally exclusive, with only 29 of the 58 roadsters built on both 500K and 540K chassis earning the Spezial designation. The car discussed here, originally a Cabriolet C, underwent a transformation into a Special Roadster through the meticulous craftsmanship of the late Franz Prahl, a renowned German restorer. Prahl’s workshop gained prominence in the 1990s for his world-class restorations of Iso Grifo and Bizzarrini automobiles.
Prahl’s recreations of the Special Roadster on original Mercedes 500K and 540K chassis, beginning in the early 2000s, were characterized by an almost obsessive attention to detail. Exhibited in stages at the Technoclassica Essen car show, each year revealed a new layer of progress, culminating in completed cars that were indistinguishable from original Sindelfingen creations of the 1930s. Chassis 113688 is a testament to Prahl’s artistry, re-bodied between 2008 and 2011. Acquired by Prahl in a partially restored state with its matching engine in 2008, it was later serviced by Reifen-Wagner, who added electric power steering in 2011 before Henrik Frederiksen acquired it.
Finished in a deep, lustrous black paint, complemented by saddle leather upholstery and a striking mother-of-pearl dashboard, this 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K Special Roadster is undeniably a showstopper. It embodies the legend of the 1930s Mercedes-Benz, its sweeping fenders and external exhausts reflecting the era’s technological ambition, while its elegant lines represent enduring beauty amidst a tumultuous period in history. This exceptional automobile offers a rare opportunity to own a piece of automotive legend.
EU Taxes paid
With Danish Registreringsattest
