Dive into the captivating world of automotive heritage with “Close-up,” the latest offering from the Mercedes-Benz Museum that promises to unravel the mysteries and marvels of iconic vehicles. In this edition, the spotlight shines on the timeless elegance of the Mercedes-Benz 500 K Special Roadster (W 29) nestled within the hallowed halls of Legend Room 3: Times of Change – Diesel and Supercharger, 1914 to 1945. Renowned as a superstar of automotive sculpture, this extraordinary machine effortlessly bridges the gap between the glamour of the 1930s and the present day, captivating all who encounter its resplendent charm.

Step back in time to the grandeur of the International Motor Show (IAMA) in Berlin, March 1934, where the Mercedes-Benz 500 K made its illustrious debut as the epitome of luxury and sophistication. Boasting an exorbitant price tag equivalent to a prime real estate purchase of its era, this coveted “autobahn courier” swiftly garnered the attention of celebrities from every sphere, solidifying its status as a symbol of opulence and prestige. From red carpets to opulent salons, the 500 K effortlessly transcended mere transportation, becoming a coveted accessory for the elite.

Beneath its sleek exterior lies a testament to craftsmanship and innovation, from the meticulous handcrafted upholstery to the legendary M 29 supercharged engine that delivers unparalleled performance. Designed with an eye for detail and engineered for excellence, the 500 K remains a rarity even today, with only a select few fortunate enough to experience its unparalleled luxury and timeless appeal. As Mercedes-Benz Classic experts meticulously preserve its heritage, the legacy of the 500 K Special Roadster continues to inspire awe and admiration for generations to come.

PRESS RELEASE
Stuttgart, March 12, 2024

Close-up” – the name of this series from the Mercedes-Benz Museum says it all. Each instalment tells a surprising, exciting or behind-the-scenes story, shining a spotlight on details of a vehicle, an exhibit or an architectural or design feature. In the spotlight this time: the Mercedes-Benz 500 K Special Roadster (W 29) in Legend Room 3: Times of Change – Diesel and Supercharger, 1914 to 1945.

No. 2/2024: Mercedes-Benz 500 K Special Roadster (W 29)

Spotlight: The 500 K Special Roadster is a superstar at the Mercedes-Benz Museum. What makes it so fascinating? It is an extraordinary automotive sculpture, whose elegance radiates effortlessly from the 1930s to the present day. This is where the best technology, highly elegant styling and a luxurious interior come together. Anyone approaching this bright red vehicle is mesmerised by its grandeur.

Highly exclusive: The Mercedes-Benz 500 K made its debut at the International Motor Show (IAMA) in Berlin from 8 to 18 March 1934 – 90 years ago. The luxury car was on display as a spectacular “autobahn courier”. The Special Roadster with recessed radiator was added to the model range in October 1934, as the eighth and most expensive body variant: its price was 28,000 reichsmarks. An exorbitant amount, for which you could easily buy a detached house in a prime location at the time.

Illustrious clientele: Celebrities from the worlds of culture, entertainment, business and politics purchased the 500 K – and at the same time enhanced their reputation with this vehicle. Presenting itself on the red carpet? One of the luxury car’s favourite pastimes.

The best of the best: The great effort that went into building the Special Roadster still amazes us today. Starting with the design. The bodywork with the large, elegantly curved wings and long bonnet was designed by stylist Friedrich Geiger. Today he would be called a designer. It gave the car the flair of the “Roaring Twenties”, which are still famous for their exuberance.

Cosseted: The interior is reminiscent of an elegant salon. The leather on the finely handcrafted seat upholstery and door panels almost “caresses” the driver and front passenger. Everything is colour-coordinated. The driver’s hands grip an ivory-coloured steering wheel. The eye is attracted to a dashboard with instruments that might have come from a watchmaker’s workshop.

Prestigious address: Many customers had individual wishes so the vehicles were produced as one-off examples under the direction of Hermann Ahrens in the special vehicle construction department at the Sindelfingen plant – the place to go for the best coachbuilding of the time. The “Sindelfingen bodywork” badge on the side of the Special Roadster is a testament of quality.

Top performer: Maximum effort was also expended beneath the bodywork. The M 29 supercharged engine of the 500 K is legendary. It delivers 74 kW (100 hp) and 118 kW (160 hp) with activated supercharger. The two-bladed Roots blower located upstream of the carburettor is activated by moving the accelerator pedal beyond a pressure point reached at the full throttle position (kickdown effect). This elicits the distinctive roar of the supercharger and the immediately noticeable increase in performance.

Innovation: The modern suspension of the 500 K, adopted from the Mercedes-Benz 380 (W 22), does full justice to the engine power. With its trapezoidal-link front axle and rear swing axle, the patented Daimler-Benz design was not only extremely progressive at the time, but quickly became a common feature of automotive engineering that is still valid today and used worldwide. The rear axle design allowed high speeds with excellent driving safety.

Additional space: The 500 K invites you to savour the details. What might the step on the rear mudguard be used for? Surprise – the Special Roadster is not a two-seater. The flap behind the interior opens up another bench seat, commonly known as the “mother-in-law’s seat”. The step makes entry easier.

Rarity: The 500 K was already rare in the 1930s. Only 342 examples of all body variants were produced between 1934 and 1936. It was immediately followed by the 540 K, whose engine had a larger displacement. Today both versions of the W 29 series are guaranteed top prices at auctions.

Manufacturer’s expert assessment: The Special Roadster in particular was so desirable that body shops from the 1950s onwards converted saloons or convertibles into “Special Roadsters” in the hope of increasing their value. Though of course, only original vehicles from Sindelfingen command the highest prices. The experts at Mercedes-Benz Classic can establish authenticity beyond any doubt.

Few people know that one of the greatest cars Mercedes-Benz has produced in its 125-year history sits on flat tires, covered by 30 years of grime, in an unmarked building in South Central Los Angeles. The 1935 Rudolf Caracciola Mercedes-Benz 500K “Roadster Limousine,” one of the most beautifully struck and elegant prewar cars ever built, was commissioned as a gift for one of the most legendary race car drivers ever to turn the wheel. Based on recent auction figures, the 500K—one of the holy grails of car collecting—could be worth upward of $10 million if it ever came to auction. But it sits nose to tail with scores of other exceedingly rare classic European cars as part of the mind-bogglingly vast inventory of the nondescript Porche (sic) Foreign Auto, an “auto dismantling” operation (junkyard is the more common term), which was founded in 1967 by a guy named Rudi Klein.

Klein, I discovered, was a former butcher from Germany who died in 2001, leaving two sons and a widow. People who knew him told me he was eccentric and gruff in equal parts. He would sic his dog on uninvited visitors—like me—inquiring after his cars. For the most part the business deals in parts, providing ultrarare doors, hardware, and just about anything to highend auto collectors and restorers. (A cease-and-desist letter from Porsche necessitated the unusual spelling.) Porche Foreign Auto is the place you call when you need pristine stock parts for your 1970 Mercedes 280SL, or an impossible-to-find piece of trim for your 1966 911S, or a 1937 Chrysler Airflow C17 fairly intact but needing a tow—just another vehicle to complete your collection.

Today the largely secret automotive hoard is looked after, in a manner, by Klein’s two sons, who seem to regard it as a private collection as much as a family business. Many of the Kleins’ cars have been thought by auto historians and collectors to be lost to time. “They’ve got old cars that people have been looking for for years and have no idea they still exist,” Tom Hanson, the parts manager at the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Irvine, California, told me. “I’m not at liberty to reveal what they are. I promised I’d just kinda keep hush about that.”

Via: Car and Driver

Mercedes-Benz Classic will be on hand with its finest collection of classic vehicles at this year’s Schloss Dyck Classic Days from August 3 to 5, 2012. On exhibit will be a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR, a Mercedes-Benz 500 SL Rallye, a Mercedes-Benz 500 K as well as a Mercedes-Benz C 111. In addition, a 300 SL racing car from 1952 and an SL 63 AMG Safety Car from 2008 will provide some excitement on the track. In addition, the Mercedes-Benz Düsseldorf plant will exhibit classic light-duty commercial vehicles on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. And as always visitors to the festival will have the opportunity to meet famous Mercedes-Benz racing drivers from various motor sport eras on site.

This will be already the seventh edition of the Schloss Dyck Classic Days. For the first time the event will last three whole days. As far back as 60 years ago, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL racing car (W 194) laid the foundation for the successful motor sport activities of the Stuttgart-based brand after Second World War. Classic racing cars still exude a very special fascination today when their historic engines are started and they subsequently begin to drive. Racing driver legend Hans Herrmann will climb behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL (W 194) from 1952 to drive some demonstration laps on the track outside the Dyck Castle gates. On all three days Dieter Glemser will pilot the pace car of the individual special races, the original Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG Safety Car (R 230) that saw action during the 2008/2009 Formula 1 season.

Sir Stirling Moss will travel to the Rhineland this year as a guest of honour of the festival organiser and will also be available to Mercedes-Benz Classic on all three days. The former Silver Arrow pilot can expect his own paddock with a selection of his legendary winning cars. The racing driver legend will fulfill requests for autographs in the paddock – in the immediate vicinity of his winning Mille Miglia car, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR from 1955 with the famous starting number 722.

A special feature at this year’s Classic Days Schloss Dyck will be the light-duty commercial vehicles from the Mercedes-Benz Düsseldorf plant, which celebrates its golden jubilee. Since April 1952, some 3.5 million vans sporting the Mercedes star have been produced there. This includes a number of model series such as the L/O 319, L 406 D/L 408/O 309, T1, T2, and Sprinter that have shaped and enriched the daily lives of many. These days the Düsseldorf plant produces the latest Sprinter NCV3 model as a panel van and as a crew bus.

The program of the Classic Days, to which enthusiasts and collectors travel from all over Europe, focuses on several themes. “Racing Legends” presents track races for historic competition vehicles up to model year 1961. Solo and sidecar motorcycles manufactured in 1940 and before also race against the clock on the 2.8-kilometre track near the moated castle.

Sports and racing cars will start in the categories “Classic” (1910 through 1925), “Historic” (1926 through 1949) and “Modern” (1950 through 1961). There will also be the special races “Milestones of the Compressor Era” for supercharged racing cars manufactured between 1920 and 1960, “Formula Monoposto” for one-seater Formula racing cars which date from the years between 1930 and 1965 as well as “Historic Grand Prix Cars” for Grand Prix cars built between 1920 and 1965.

“Jewels in the Park” is the name of the second dazzling highlight of the festival at Schloss Dyck. The exclusive vehicle presentation is once again rated as a top event in category A by the FIVA (Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens), the worldwide association for historic vehicles – on par with the Villa d’Este and Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Just 40 rare vehicles qualify for the contest on the meadows directly next to the castle.

Various special exhibitions and themed presentations will round out the program of events at the Schloss Dyck Classic Days. One such special item on the agenda will be the presentation of classic vehicles on the Miscanthus Field – named after the decorative Chinese reed grass which grows there. For two days it will be transformed into a one-of-a-kind vast open-air museum presenting the cultural history of the automobile with many hundreds of vehicles on show. Another reason behind the strong presence of the Stuttgart-based brand is the close relationship with the official Mercedes-Benz marque clubs: Some 400 members and their vehicles from all over Europe are expected to attend.

The vehicles from Mercedes-Benz Classic at the Schloss Dyck Classic Days 2012

Mercedes-Benz 500 K “Barn Find”, 1934

Mercedes-Benz entered the market segment of the international luxury class in the 1930s with its eight-cylinder supercharged car. The “Typ 500 mit Kompressor”, or 500 K (model series W 29) for short, emerges in 1934 in eight different body styles: as a streamlined saloon with the melodic name “Motorway Courier Car”, as a 4-door saloon, back then still referred to as a “Sedan”, as a cabriolet in three variants, as a 2-door open touring car, and as a roadster. The ultimate variant was the particularly elegant and luxurious Special Roadster, only 29 of which were ever built. The 500 K and its successor, the 540 K, acquired legendary status not only on account of their superlative power and performance, but also by virtue of their beguilingly attractive and high-quality bodies. With its tailor-made form and elegant flowing lines, the “Sindelfingen Body” rose to benchmark status in the 1930s.

Mercedes-Benz 300 SL racing car (W 194), 1952

In 1952, Mercedes-Benz got involved in international motor sport again with the 300 SL racing car of the W 194 series. The basis of the vehicle was an extremely lightweight yet highly rigid tubular frame, clad in an elegantly curved light-alloy body made from aluminium-magnesium sheet metal. Because for reasons of rigidity the tubular frame builds comparatively high on the sides, the W 194 could not be fitted with conventional doors; thus the racing car ended up with its iconic gullwing doors that attach to the roof. This detail was adopted in 1954 by the production sports car 300 SL (W 198) and quickly earned it the moniker “Gullwing” in the English-speaking world.

The W 194 was powered by the six-cylinder in-line M 194 engine that was rated at 170 hp (125 kW) and had a cubic capacity of 2,996 cc. The 300 SL was presented in March 1952 and had its racing debut in the Mille Miglia in May 1952. Among the greatest achievements of the W 194 in its first and only racing season was the triple victory in the Grand Prix of Bern, the spectacular double victories in the 24-hour race at Le Mans and in the 3rd Carrera Panamericana in Mexico as well as the win in the ” Great Jubilee Prize at the Nürburgring “.

Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR (W 196 S), 1955

Mercedes-Benz won the 1955 World Sports Car Championship with the 300 SLR. This sports car was effectively a W 196 Formula 1 racing car equipped with a two-seater sports car body and a three-litre, eight-cylinder in-line engine made of light alloy in place of the 2.5-litre Formula 1 engine with its steel cylinders.

Developing 310 hp (221 kW), the 300 SLR was far superior to its competitors of 1955, as reflected by its one-two wins in the Mille Miglia, the Eifel race at the Nürburgring, the Swedish Grand Prix and the Targa Florio. The 1955 Mille Miglia was won by Stirling Moss assisted by navigator Denis Jenkinson (starting number 722) at an unsurpassed average speed of 157.65 km/h; the “prayer book” proved invaluable in achieving this victory: These pace notes, an innovation at the time, allowed Jenkinson to direct the driver Moss across Italy very effectively. Juan Manuel Fangio (starting number 658) came in second driving solo.

Mercedes-Benz 500 SL Rallye (R 107), 1981

As part of the rally activities in 1979 and 1980 with the SLC Coupés of model series 107 Mercedes-Benz also seriously contemplated using the shorter and more agile roadster. For the 1981 season four vehicles were prepared. Walter Röhrl, the top driver at the time, was hired for rally racing. Röhrl conducted extensive test drives with a Mercedes-Benz 500 SL that was equivalent to this vehicle.

For rally racing the vehicle was fitted with a shorter final-drive ratio, designed for fast acceleration at a correspondingly lower top speed. To transfer the 320 hp (235 kW) of the performance-tuned V8 engine to the road, the driven axle was fitted with a limited-slip differential with a locking rate of 80 per cent, resulting in spectacular – and in the hands of a master – at the same time safe drift angles. A special distinguishing feature of the M 117 engine was its reliability and longevity.

Also impressive was the weight reduction from 1586 to 1350 kilograms, obligatory for motor sport use. And that despite added features such an aluminium roll cage, auxiliary headlamps and all the other rally equipment. Also noteworthy was the parking brake operated by an upright lever that facilitated “setting the approach angle” of the vehicle before bends. However, the vehicle never saw any action because Mercedes-Benz ceased its rally activities before the start of the season.

Mercedes-Benz C 111, 1969

At the Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA) in September 1969, Mercedes-Benz presented an unusual car: the C 111. The world queued up to see this “test lab on wheels” with its wedge-shaped body and upward-opening gullwing doors. The colour, an orange metallic, originally designated “rosé wine”, also helped to rivet attention. Less conspicuous, but no less unusual, were the technical innovations. The body consisted of fibreglass-reinforced plastic and was riveted and bonded to the steel-frame floor system.

The C 111 served to test the rotary engine. A three-rotor unit developing 280 hp (206 kW) provided the power and permitted a top speed of 260 km/h – quite remarkable for the time. Just a few months later a thoroughly revised version of the C 111 was shown at the Geneva Motor Show. It featured a four-rotor Wankel engine with an output of 350 hp (257 kW). The car accelerated from rest to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds and reached a top speed of 300 km/h.

Little more was heard about the Wankel engine; diesel technology now became the focus of research. And record-breaking versions of the C 111 again captured public interest: in June 1976, April 1978, and May 1979 the C 111 completed runs on the high-speed test track in Nardo in southern Italy, which produced several absolute world records over various distances.

Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG Safety Car (R 230), 2008

Since 1996 Mercedes-Benz has provided the Official F1™ Safety Cars for the races of the Formula 1 world championship. The SL 63 AMG (model series R 230) provided the basis for the 2008 season. The vehicle was developed by the AMG Performance Studio and was powered by a 6.2-litre V8 engine developing 525 hp (386 kW). The Official F1™ Safety Car is always called upon when accidents, bad weather or other dangerous situations jeopardise a safe race. Fast lap times are a must for the Safety Car because otherwise the engines of the Formula 1 cars would overheat while at the same time their tyres and brakes would cool off too much. Numerous modifications to the production vehicle are required to deliver the kind of performance demanded on the racetrack.

One important aspect of this Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG was strategic lightweight design. Bonnet, front and rear fascia, front fenders and the boot lid are all manufactured from extremely lightweight yet strong carbon-fibre composites (CFC). Since the Safety Car is always driven with the roof closed, the Vario roof and its mechanical and hydraulic systems were eliminated as well. The Safety Car pilots also must do without insulation materials for noise control and heat reduction. The results: despite the additional weight for auxiliary equipment, such as for example the custom roof-mounted signal light bar, the extensive communications system, larger and additional coolers for engine and transmission oil, coolant and power steering, the Safety Car with full fuel and without occupants weighs 220 kilograms less than a comparable SL 63 AMG production car.

The drivers for Mercedes-Benz Classic at the Schloss Dyck Classic Days 2012

Dieter Glemser, Born in Kirchheim/Teck on 28 June 1938

Dieter Glemser’s career in the fast lane began with the Schorndorf Hill Climb race in 1960. Many class victories followed in various mountain and circuit races on the Nürburgring.

Glemser began racing for Daimler-Benz AG in 1963, winning overall in a Mercedes 220 SE at the Poland Rally and taking second place in both the Germany Rally (including a class win) and the Grand Prix of Argentina. In the following year Glemser was also part of the triple victory of the Böhringer/Kaiser, Glemser/Braungart, and Rosqvist/Falk teams at the Grand Prix of Argentina.

Glemser celebrated victory once again in 1971 with a European Champion title for Ford in the touring car championships and a win at the 24-hour Spa-Francorchamps event. He also held the title of German Motor Sport Champion in 1973 and 1974. However, following a severe accident caused by tyre damage at the touring car race in Macau, Southeast China in November 1974, he ended his active motor sport career.

In 1990, Dieter Glemser became a member of the Mercedes-Benz Motor sport team. His tenure lasted for ten years and as department manager Glemser was responsible for all organisational aspects of the Mercedes-Benz Motor sport team. Between 2001 and 2008 he worked on a freelance basis for Mercedes-AMG and Daimler AG for sport and driver safety training as well as at Classic events. He continues to drive at Mercedes-Benz Classic events to this day.

Hans Herrmann, Born in Stuttgart on 23 February 1928

After his motor sport debut Mercedes-Benz racing manager Alfred Neubauer brought 25-year-old Hans Herrmann to the works team of Daimler-Benz AG at the start of the 1954 season. Herrmann finished in third place in the Swiss Grand Prix on 22 August 1954. Driving three W 196 Streamline racing cars, the Mercedes drivers finished the Avus race on 19 September 1954 with a triple victory in the order Karl Kling, Juan Manuel Fangio, Hans Herrmann.

During the 1955 racing season, Herrmann started a total of eight sports car races and ten Formula 1 races. In the Monaco Grand Prix he sat in for Kling and suffered serious injuries in an accident. Despite a full recovery he did not race for Mercedes-Benz again because the company withdrew from motor sport in October 1955. This marked the end of Herrmann’s engagement for Mercedes-Benz.

In the following years he returned to racing car and sports car competitions. After racing in Formula 2 and Formula 1 he retired from racing in 1970 with a victory in the 24-hour race of Le Mans driving a Porsche. Herrmann continues to start for Mercedes-Benz in events with historical character to the present day.

Did you know?

Mercedes-Benz Classic will be at the Goodwood Revival (14 to 16 September 2012) with five original Silver Arrows of the 1930s – and will compete in a demonstration run with racing cars of Auto Union. It will be the biggest assembly of Silver Arrows since decades.

Mercedes-Benz Classic will be featuring several highlights at this year’s Retro Classics 2011. Being that 2011 marks the 125th birthday of the motor car, the German manufacturer will display four fascinating milestone vehicles from its collection. All four of these models are representative of automobile mobility: a Benz Patent Motor Car, the world’s first automobile dating from 1886; a Mercedes-Benz 500 K special Roadster (model series W 29) dating from 1934; a Mercedes-Benz 220 SE Coupé (W 111), model year 1961; and finally the latest research vehicle, the F 800 Style, which premiered in 2010.

As a trade show for classic cars and automotive culture, Retro Classics is one of the most important events of its kind. The Retro Classic event will take place for the eleventh time in southern Germany in the city of Stuttgart. Between March 11 and 13, 2011 (the preview will take place on March 10th), 1,300 exhibitors will display more than 3,000 vehicles for the public. The heart of this historic automotive exhibition arena is the 540-square-metre exhibition area used by Mercedes-Benz Classic in Hall 1, where both collection and sale cars will rub shoulders with each other.

“For Mercedes-Benz Classic it is important here in particular – in the home of the company – to have a strong presence”, explains Michael Bock, Head of Mercedes-Benz Classic. At the same time it is all about making the fascination surrounding the brand come alive.

In addition, the latest vehicle offerings will also boast a further highlight: in spring the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupé (model series C 204) is celebrating its world premiere and is all set to enhance the product portfolio comprising these elegant vehicles – as a result, when it comes to the sale cars at Retro Classics, Mercedes-Benz Classic is placing the focus squarely on coupés. Three classics will therefore be on display: the Mercedes-Benz 280 SLC (model series C 107, model year 1981), the 230 CE (C 123, 1982) and the E 220 Coupé (C 124, 1993). The Mercedes-Benz Museum Shop will also be represented with a large sales stand, this year featuring the “125! years of innovation selection”.

Yet another highlight of Retro Classics will be the stand design, for which the Mercedes-Benz design division has opened up its archives to lend the vehicles on display an additional historic touch courtesy of some bonus historical items. These will include product drawings dating from the 1930’s, as well as some interpretations from the 1950’s and also images from the present day. To highlight the various eras visually, the drawings are being displayed in contemporary frames. The different types of drawings also afford a feeling of how the developers and designers viewed the vehicles of the near future at different periods in time. A monitor showing films will also provide insights into the world of Mercedes-Benz design today, while the F 800 Style show car points the way forward towards the direction in which the brand’s future design may be heading.

As an appropriate link between the present day and the birthday of the motor car, a brochure on the Benz Patent Motor Car will also be available. Forming part of the “125! years of the motor car” anniversary campaign, it shows the Patent Motor Car in a modern context and underscores the timeless design created by Carl Benz. With its fascinating text, photos and important technical details, at the same time the brochure represents a special means of communication reflecting the leadership aspirations of Mercedes-Benz.

The exhibition displays will be rounded off in a 1740-square-metre space in Hall 7, where numerous brand clubs will be exhibiting, enabling fans to indulge in their shared passion for products from the brand’s 125-year automotive history – which stretches from the inventions of Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler through to the innovations of the present day. The same also applies in particular to the 300-square-metre stand belonging to HISTORIA Mobilis, the classic car interest group founded by employees of Daimler AG in 2005.

The members’ vehicle fleet includes six Mercedes-Benz cars, among them the 190 SL (W 121), 300 SL Roadster (W 198 II), 250 SL (W 113), 450 SEL (W 116), 190 (W 201) and 190 E 2.3-16 (W 201). The company is particularly looking forward to their attendance, given that employee involvement is one of the focal points of this 125th anniversary year of the birthday of the motor car.