***1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K "Spezial Roadster" Cabriolet B***

[GTA45E]

It was Hermann Ahrens donau
I saw this 1931 770K for sale a couple of years ago - it was built by the Italian coachbuilder Castagna, I think it is absolutely beautiful - it's the only Grosser Mercedes ever built by Castagna.

That is Absolutly stunning!! incredible quality.. it`s amazing how MB is still
using the those horizontal slats in the grill designs. Even the basic grill shape has changed little. Thanks for the shots!


All these cars are truly awesome. MB has an incredible history to be proud of!!

 

[donau]

.....All these cars are truly awesome. MB has an incredible history to be proud of!!

I agree. It is a history without a match in the automotive industry. Quite something for a car company to be able to claim to be the first mass-producer of cars - and keep producing products ranking at the top throughout their whole history. And on top of that, have a car that can claim to be the archetype of the modern automobile.

 

[SDNR]

This one is for sale at Mirbach ...it has been restored by Kienle.

 

[LaArtist]

its beautiful to the point where it isnt even fun anymore

 

[SDNR]

What is interesting Artist is that is doesn't need a forest of wood like a Rolls-Royce or any flashy design gimmicks like some of it's other rivals, to be so impressive -- it is a purely functional machine ...and yet it absolutely emanates superiority and prestige.

Even though this is a very old car and primitive by today's standards, it still is easy to see what makes Mercedes-Benz the most universally revered marque in automotive history -- Here we are in the 21st century ..and we still can appreciate what made this car the Pagani Zonda of it's time.

 

[LaArtist]

yep for sure..in order to become a large company all brands loose some of their good sides.. its really sad..cause all is about cash these days..

i swear if the cash wasent a factor in this industry(impossible).. there would have been some wonderfull cars rolling on the roads..

 

[Imhotep Evil]

What is interesting Artist is that is doesn't need a forest of wood like a Rolls-Royce or any flashy design gimmicks like some of it's other rivals, to be so impressive -- it is a purely functional machine ...and yet it absolutely emanates superiority and prestige.

Actually If I'm not mistakeing, RR didn't used a forest of wood, but wool.
Also it the Merc that was flashy and bling-bling, more like Bugatti, rather that the understated RR.

These Mercs. were the german bling-bling machines of their time.

It its purely functional, the front doesn't make much sense.
The big grille front doesn't make sense compared to the Jaray aerodynamical back of the car.

I don't think the front is a Rumpler aerodynamics thing, it's just for presence.

A more functional/true functional car would have been the SSKL.

I think the MBs are closer to the Figoni & Falaschi (and french) philosophy rather that Carozzeria Touring.

The main diference was that while Figoni & Falaschi (and french) no doubt used some aerodynamical functionality, show-ing off was the main thing, wereas Carozzeria Touring used a strictly form follows function aproach.

So don't be fouled, while this Merc. might show to some its just functional, it's not actually following this school/philosophy.

Just think of the political/historical context.

 

[donau]

Interesting, there was a full page article in my old hometown's newspaper about the Mirbach Mercedes that looked just like this one. My family sent the page to me. Incredible presence, superiority and prestige.

 

[SDNR]

Actually If I'm not mistakeing, RR didn't used a forest of wood, but wool.
Also it the Merc that was flashy and bling-bling, more like Bugatti, rather that the understated RR.

These Mercs. were the german bling-bling machines of their time.

It its purely functional, the front doesn't make much sense.
The big grille front doesn't make sense compared to the Jaray aerodynamical back of the car.

I don't think the front is a Rumpler aerodynamics thing, it's just for presence.

A more functional/true functional car would have been the SSKL.

I think the MBs are closer to the Figoni & Falaschi (and french) philosophy rather that Carozzeria Touring.

The main diference was that while Figoni & Falaschi (and french) no doubt used some aerodynamical functionality, show-ing off was the main thing, wereas Carozzeria Touring used a strictly form follows function aproach.

So don't be fouled, while this Merc. might show to some its just functional, it's not actually following this school/philosophy.

Just think of the political/historical context.

You are right about things here Imhotep Evil, the Mercedes-Benzes of this time were flashy and bombastic ...which is totally in keeping with the right-wing nationalist arrogance of Germany at that time - these cars are aggressive and proud -- they are built to almost impossibly high standards; Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and certainly Bugatti were not built as well as these machines -- they truly are awesome.

They are magnificent but also quite cold.

Just look at this aristocratic old English lady below, she is not as immediately impressive as the Mercedes, but somehow more noble and dignified.

Rolls-Royce Phantom II

 

[SDNR]

 

[Mr. M]

This one is for sale at Mirbach ...it has been restored by Kienle.

Oh my... Just look at the quality of the gauges! This is far more than what we have on modern cars now.