Mercedes 540 K by Richardphotos
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the curator told me the car is worth now 2.8 million unrestored. restored it would be worth around 5 million dollars. only one like it that is known
it is in the Dallas Auto museum now as an exhibit. I am thinking that this car is the same one in the following text
1938 Mercedes-Benz 540k Cabriolet by Norrmalm
Chassis #169389
After many years of building six- and eight-cylinder supercharged automobiles, Mercedes-Benz introduced its ultimate chassis in 1936. Dubbed 540K, it replaced the already world respected 500K that debuted just two years earlier. Featuring a 5.4-liter overhead cam straight eight, the kompressor-boosted engine was coupled to a four-speed gearbox and mounted in a sturdy chassis that rode on four-wheel independent suspension. The supercharger was intended for only short bursts of extra power; it kicked in only when the accelerator was depressed fully, boosting power from roughly 125 to 195 horsepower. Top speed was listed as 170 kph.
Total 540K production was 406, with 95 chassis built in 1938. Unlike many luxury motorcars of the period, most 540Ks were custom bodied in-house at Sindelfingen, the factory's plant. Of the total number, just 29 were shipped as bare chassis to outside coachbuilders, with Germany's Erdmann & Rossi receiving 12. This leaves just 17 chassis to be cloaked in bodies built by other concerns. Pricing for a bare chassis was listed at 15,500 German Marks, or roughly $6,355.
Delivered to Sweden in September 30, 1937, chassis #169389 was the only bare-chassis 540K sent to that country. Ordered by the building contractor and two-time Olympic swimming medal-winner Max Gumpel of Stockholm, it was sent to the coachbuilding firm of Norrmalm in Stockholm. The chassis was completed by February 1938 and first registered on March 4th of that year. The finished cabriolet featured twin batteries, a huge 60-gallon fuel tank, and a weight of over 6300 pounds. Other custom features included Marchal lights, a siren, and a special split front bench seat, allegedly designed so neither of Gumpel's lady friends would be relegated to the back! Gumpel's signature radiator mascot, the Roman goddess of the hunt Diana replaced the typical Mercedes three-pointed star.
Norrmalm started in 1919 as Jacobson & Co., and in 1925 changed the name to the current guise. Bodies by Norrmalm were ruggedly built, incredibly sturdy, and, - in typical Swedish design- form was dictated by function, not fashion. Preferring steel over aluminum, they were known for exclusive and exotic cabriolets of very high quality. Johan Oscar Olhanger was the Chief Designer for the firm, and was influenced by the great designers of Germany, Italy, and France. His cabriolets were designed to stand up to the harsh roads and long winters of Sweden while keeping the occupants comfortable. Norrmalm's interior work was famous throughout Europe, thanks to the brothers Gunnar and Knut Espelund. Gunnar's work was so valued that he was given company stock back in 1927. Norrmalm's operations ceased in 1948 when a fire destroyed the factory. Only 3 Norrmalm-built cars are known to exist, a Volvo, a Packard, and Max Gumpel's 540K.
Comments (40)
Richardphotos
Max Gumpel was a flamboyant figure of a man, traveling in the high echelon of Swedish society and government in the 20s and 30s, and his license plate number bears this statement. A54 (A for Stockholm, the country's capital) is very, very high status, fitting in with numbers reserved for the royal family. This plate number earned Gumpel the equivalent of diplomatic immunity. Unlike other Swedish automobiles where the plates stay with the vehicle, Gumpel was allowed to keep his plate and transfer it to his other purchased vehicles. He also was a close personal friend and early admirer of Greta Garbo, and when she visited Stockholm she would often stay with him. It goes to say that it is quite possible that she enjoyed a ride in this car at some point. The car was put up during the war when little fuel was available. Mr. Gumpel was able to use his pull with the government to obtain a special "Non-Conscription" Order thereby allowing him to keep his car and not be confiscated by the military during World War II. Gumpel purchased a Lincoln Continental after the war, but kept the Mercedes until July 29th, 1955. It was sold at that point to Michael Savosnick for the sum of 5,000 Kroner. In 1962, Max Gumpel was played by the actor Ulf Palme in the William Holden film "The Counterfeit Traitor" for his friendship to spy Eric Erickson. After throwing a huge party on August 3rd, 1965, Gumpel allegedly went upstairs after his guests left and died by a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Savosnick sold the car to Carl Kristopherson in 1964, who later that year sold it to Howard Sluyter of Dallas, Texas. Mr. Sluyter owned the car until the early 1980s, selling it to John Ridings Lee of Dallas. Mr. Lee kept the Mercedes for some years before selling it to Jerry Moore in 1986 for the sum of $450,000. Mr. Moore repainted the car, possibly showing it at Pebble Beach in the late 1980s. In 1990 he then sold it to Jerome Sauls for $950,000. Mr. Sauls contracted the restoration firm of Hill & Vaughn to refresh the car and put it up for sale. The car was sold to an important Japanese collection in December of 1991 for a reputed $1.2 million. It was returned to the United States in January 2001 by purchaser Terena Shaw of Canada. In May 2001 Mr. John W. Rich Sr. of Pennsylvania acquired this magnificent automobile for the collection. http://www.jwrautomuseum.com/vehicles/1938mb.html
zaigodou
Beautiful Red colour!!!
dakotabluemoon
I love the design of this one on the top very cool piece here.
jayfar
A beautiful clip of a beautiful car.
miztere
nice shot and information
magnus073
Great photo of this truly rare Mercedes Richard, thank you for providing all of the cool details about this car and how much it's worth.
bazza
Super Photo and info Richard did you get a shot of the front of this beauty... I'll take three at that price lol..
JohnDelaquiox
Thats a very classic and gorgeous car, another example of how they just don't make cars like they use to
KnightWolverine
I bet the insurance on this baby alone is through the roof and probably reaches the Ionosphere.....lol..
greyone
Great capture and awesome info you included with it. I have a hard time believing anyone would pay that kind of money for a car no matter how nice it is or how rare it is.
Faemike55
Very beautiful car
eekdog
very expensive car, looks super.
ontar1
Cool, outstanding capture!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Flint_Hawk
WOW!
crunch01
another beut!
stolta
Wonderful color, very beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!
evielouise
I will take two !beauty
flavia49
wonderful detail and info
kbrog
Excellent composition and capture! :)
twingo
Great looking shot, thanks for the info.
brycek
Beautiful..nice shot!!
MarciaGomes
ESPETACULAR FOTO RICHARD,INCRÍVEL CARRO A COR É MAGNÍFICA.++++++++++5 FANTÁSTICA INFORMAÇÃO!!OBRIGADO
emmecielle
Interesting info and winderful details! Excellent capture! :)
rocdan
GREAT SHOT BEAUTIFUL POV
claude19
beautiful Mercedes coupe!beautiful Mercedes coupe!
alKhall
An interesting piece of auto history Richard sir, nice work! :0)
Radar_rad-dude
This sounds like such an amazing vehicle with such an illustrious history. I think Revel made a plastic model of it back in the 60's. I recall having purchased one and had a lot of fun assembling it as a kid. A very beautiful car and a wonderful photo, Richard! Tip of the hat!
sandra46
GREAT SHOT
Minda
Super duper car Richard.
bobrgallegos
Great car very beautifully captured and very interesting information!!!