1935 Mercedes-benz 500k “Special Roadster”: A Masterpiece of Prewar Automotive Design and Luxury

Designed for Germany’s Autobahn, the Mercedes-Benz 500K Special Roadster showcased some of the most elegant automotive styling of the 1930s.

With only 29 units produced, it stood out as the most coveted variant in the 500K series, featuring sweeping fenders and exposed exhaust pipes crafted by Hermann Ahrens at the Sindelfingen plant. Its long-tail version remains especially prized among collectors today, and its original price of 28,000 Reichsmark reflected its exclusivity. Beneath the hood, a 5,018cc straight-eight engine paired with a supercharger delivered 160 horsepower and a thrilling full-throttle howl. Of the mere 342 500K chassis built between 1934 and 1936, surviving examples embody the car’s enduring legacy of speed, luxury, and masterful design.

h/t: vintag.es