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.