1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster Sets New Record At Pebble Beach

Since the inception of the Pebble Beach Best of Show, 49 of the 72 winners came from the 1930s, and this year's edition is no exception. A pre-war 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster won the Best of Show award, besting 216 cars from 18 countries and 30 states.

The last five award recipients were from the 30s, including the 2022 winner, the 1932 Duesenberg J Figoni Sports Torpedo. The '37 540K also put Mercedes-Benz ahead of Bugatti with the most Best of Show wins at Pebble Beach, securing the award for Mercedes cars for a 10th time.

One of the judges - nine-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen - was impressed by the Mercedes 540K's authenticity and the way it was presented at the manicured lawns of the Pebble Beach Golf Links.

"For a car to take home the honors at Pebble Beach, it must be the ultimate," said Kristensen who is also a Rolex Testimonee.

Owner Jim Patterson acquired the 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster for $9.9 million at the 2022 Monterey Car Week. It was originally delivered to the King of Afghanistan in September 1937 after he commissioned it with a Sindelfingen body before making its way to the US in 1953 after being sold to a collector.

Today, only three original examples with a covered spare tire are believed to survive. With only 13,000 miles on the odometer, the 2023 Best of Show award winner uses a 5.4-liter inline-eight engine with an estimated 180 horsepower.

"This 540K balances strength with sweeping lines and style, and its history is unique," said Concours Chairman Sandra Button. "In talking with Jim about this car, I was impressed by the time and thought invested in this restoration. Every piece of this beautiful Mercedes-Benz was researched so carefully to honor its history."

"In Kentucky, you know, we talk about winning the Derby. Well, there's such a thing as winning the Triple Crown," said Jim Patterson. "And so I've won this Concours twice before today. This is a Triple Crown for me."

The Mercedes 540K's win at the 72nd Pebble Beach Concourse d'Elegance wrapped up the Monterey Car Week. The week-long car event in California was also graced by other Silver Arrows-branded cars including the 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT and a lineup of EQS models.

The win is not only a testament to the timeless beauty of classic Mercedes, but also the lengths to which the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center will go to restore cars entrusted to it. Mercedes and RM Auto Restoration were tasked with restoring the car since its purchase last year, and clearly, it paid off.

"The 540 K Special Roadster winning the 'Best of Show' title at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance crowns the immense commitment of RM Auto Restoration and Mercedes-Benz Heritage to the restoration of this outstanding vehicle, "says Marcus Breitschwerdt, Head of Mercedes-Benz Heritage. "We are proud to have contributed to this success story with the unique expertise of our Classic Centre and the archives. The intensive and good cooperation with RM Auto Restoration during the past months has made this success possible."