Yet another limited edition car for the readers of Auto Insider Malaysia; now this model above is the Mercedes-Benz 500K (type W29) which is built between 1934 and 1936. The designated of “K” in its name is denotes to compressor (supercharger) only fitted to the sports car which this model succeeded the Mercedes-Benz 380 which was produced a year earlier.
This model is fitted with independent suspension setup with a double wishbone front axle, double joint swing axle at the rear and a separate wheel location, coil springs and damping which at that particular of time a world first. When you floor the pedal to the metal, the Roots supercharger will works it charms for the 5 litres straight eight engine to produce 160bhp thus making the car capable of reaching 160km/h.
There are 3 different chassis and 8 bodies available for customers during the production days, where there are 2 longer “B” and “C” four seat cabriolet version sat on a wheel base of 3,290mm which is also derived other sedan and touring car models. The models shown in this blog post is the short “A” chassis, with a 2,980mm wheelbase which essentially a two seater 1936 Special Roadster which offered the highest performance.
All models featured an advanced equipment level at that particular of time with a safety glass, a 12 volt electrical system, electric windscreen wipers, door locks, indicators and also hydraulic brakes. There were only 29 Special Roadsters during the 2 year production with the only one here available in Malaysia.
Today, the cars remain a highly prized diamond for its heritage and scarcity. There is 1 recorded auctioned for this car which has been auctioned off in October 2007 from the owner of none other than Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone with the price fetching up to almost £700,000 (US$1.45 million).
As for the car you have seen here, it is owned by a Portugese descendent Tan Sri Datuk Eugenio Antonio Da Luz Campos, DMSM, JSM and the listed price for his car is RM 24 Million. I am honored to witness this piece of jewel and I’m sure all readers here would feel the same. Do contact me at autoinsidermalaysia [at] gmail [dot] com if you want to know further details about this car in Malaysia
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