Lot 147 - 1936 Mercedes-Benz 544K Replica
| Lot Number | 147 |
| Registration | 381 YUB |
| Chassis Number | AX166668 |
| Engine Number | N/A |
| Odometer reading | 6,833 miles |
| Estimate | £24,000 - £32,000 |
The Mercedes-Benz 500K (W29) is a grand touring car built by Mercedes-Benz between 1934 and 1936. First exhibited at the 1934 Berlin Motor Show it carried the factory designation W29. Distinguished from the 500 saloon by the ‘K’ for Kompressor (German for supercharger), only fitted to these performance cars, it succeeded the Mercedes-Benz 380 introduced just the previous year. It offered both a larger, more powerful engine and more opulent coachwork to meet customers' demands for greater luxury and performance.
With genuine examples of the 500K Roadsters changing hands for well over $5million, it is not everyone that can afford such a slice of automotive perfection that is a supercharged W29 Mercedes 500K. The car on offer here however is a bit easier on the pocket, and although not built in the Sindelfingen factory, certainly looks like it could have been. It is a very rare replica of the even rarer 1936 544K Mercedes Benz convertible built by Thoroughbred Motorcars Inc. in the USA. They are said to have made around 200 such replicas, and as a consequence they are highly sought-after in their own right.
Built in the late 1980s at a cost of over $100,000, this incredible machine is guaranteed to stop the traffic. It has a huge specification, including a Ford 302 5.0 litre V8, coupled to a C-4 automatic gearbox, power steering and brakes. Inside, the passengers will find proper wind-up windows, JVC CD player with power aerial, sumptuous grey leather upholstery, wooden dash, front and rear seatbelts, and air conditioning - all which make for a luxurious and safe ride. Externally the car sits on white wall tyres fitted to chrome rimmed ‘wire basket’ wheels, and has twin sidemounts, huge headlights, twin tone horns, suicide doors, landau bars, faux external exhausts and a thermometer radiator ornament. This rare four seat model has a removable padded hard top to protect the rear passengers and tonneau cover. If you are looking to attract a huge crowd of admirers wherever you go or save over $5million, this must be the perfect way to go about it!
Interested parties should note that contrary to the catalogue description, the odometer reading for this vehicle is 6,833.
Interested parties should satisfy themselves as to the description and condition of each Lot prior to the sale. Accordingly, buyers are on notice that each vehicle is offered ‘as is/as seen’ subject to the Terms and Conditions for the auction. All registration numbers, engine and chassis details are sourced from registration documents provided to Historics by the client or representative or HPI checks and buyers are to satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of these details. Buyers are advised to inspect the vehicle in person or use a professional to carry out this service. Historics will not entertain disputes over descriptions.