Most Expensive Classic Mercedes-Benz Vehicle

Most Expensive Car Arizona Auction

A new record has just been broken during Arizona auction week! It is nowhere near the world record, but it is significant to us because it is a Mercedes-Benz vehicle and it was sold right in our backyard! Officially, the most expensive car sold at Arizona auction was a 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster. Do you want to know how much it sold for?
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Most Money Spent on a Car at Arizona Auction

It actually comes as no surprise because the record is broken almost every year. Last year, a Ferrari sold for $9.6 million, breaking the record from the year before. This particular 1937 Mercedes-Benz sold at auction for $9.9 million. It was projected to sell for more than $10 million, but was still enough to break the record.

1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster

When new, this car was only made by special order. It was one of the most luxurious cars of the era, comparable to the S-Class or Mercedes-Benz GT S of today. It looks like it could fit 100 cylinders under the hood, but actually it features a 5.0L supercharged inline 8-cylinder engine. This 180-horsepower engine, paired with a 4-speed manual transmission, could get the 540K to 60 in around 16 seconds and to a top speed of 100 miles per hour. Not bad for a $10 million car!

*Alternative 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Streamliner

Car History

Part of the reason for the high price tag lies in the history of the car itself. It’s hard to imagine everything the car has seen since it was delivered in 1937, but original paperwork and historical records are proof of its authenticity. When it was new, it was sold to Reginald Sinclair. Reginald was a pilot in WWI when he shot down at least five bogies, earning him the title of flying ace. He was also the heir to the Corning glass fortune, which is a company that is still in business today. The 540K is said to only have some 10,000 miles on it, so we can be sure the owner won’t be parting it out any time soon! If you have any questions about the car or the auction, let us know!