A Very Unique and Special 540K

This is one of only three cars known to exist with Norrmalm coachwork, and the only Mercedes Benz to wear such. The chief of design for Normmalm, Mr. Johan Oscar Olhager, was influenced by the German, French and Italian designers of the time and he had a different style than the other Swedish coachbuilders of the era. With the need to integrate the heavy top and its structure with clean lines, he used very innovative techniques for the time.

This Car's Past

This chassis was delivered to Mr. Max Gumpel of Sweden, on the 30th of September 1937. The coachwork was designed with function in mind, and built to cope with the harsh roads and long, snowy winters of Sweden. Also built with two batteries, and an oversized fuel tank for extended range of travel. The dashboard is also unique, and was designed by the brothers Gunnar and Knut Espeland. The coachwork was completed in February of 1938, and the car was originally registered to Mr. Gumpel on March 4 of that year with the registration number A54. The low registration number was reflective of his position in Stockholm at the time. Mr. Gumpel was known as a flamboyant individual, and he had the car equipped with Marchal headlights, spotlight and running lights. His most prominent personalization was the oversized mascot of the nude goddess Diana with her bow shooting an arrow into the sky. The front seats were designed to accommodate three passengers, two ladies and a gentleman, as legend has it. Mr. Gumpel was a close personal friend of Greta Garbo, and it is believed that she rode around with him in this very special car. It was put up during World War II, when there was very little gas available, and also received a special “non-conscription order”, thereby allowing the car to remain with Max and not be conscripted to the Swedish Army.

Past Owners

Max Gumpel (Sweden) 1938-1955 Sold 5,000KR
Michael Savosnick 1955-1964
Carl Kristofferson 1964-1964
Howard Sluyter (United States) 1964-Early 1980’s Sold $450,000
Jerry J. Moore (United States) 1986-1990 Repainted Sold $950,000
Jerome Sauls 1990-1991 Sold $1,200,000
Japanese Collector 1991-1994
Japanese Collector 1994-2001
Terena Shaw (Canada) 2001-2001
JWR Collection 2001-Present

History of the Model

The Mercedes Benz 540K was introduced at the 1936 Paris Motor Show, as a successor to the 500K and a descendent from the famed SSK. In total 406 540K’s were produced, 97 in 1936, 145 in 1937, 95 in 1938, and 69 in 1939. Of these, 83 are cab A’s, 190 are cab B’s, 32 are cab C’s, 4 are normal roadsters, 25 are special roadsters, 7 are coupes and 49 are miscellaneous types. Included in the total production are 29 chassis only. Of the 29 chassis shipped, Erdmann and Rossi received 12, meaning that European coachbuilders outside of Germany bodied 17 or less of them. This group of custom bodied cars is one of the smallest in the production total.

Market Trend / Comparative Analysis

With only a very small number of 540Ks available at any one time, demand is very strong and consistent. Especially for the custom coach built examples, such as this one. This special Cabriolet is a one off, and is without question one of the most important 540Ks built and one of the most significant Mercedes Benzes still in existence.

Summary

The 540K was created as a no compromise vehicle for the worlds elite, at a time when automobiles were built from passion. The uniqueness of this car, and the personalization from an eccentric and well regarded owner, make this something very special and a very rare opportunity to own a piece of history.