Colour: Black Cylinders: 8; 5,018cc Gears: 4 + reverse Power: 100/160bhp Produced: 1934-1936 (500K) Sensation of the 1934 Berlin Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz’s legendary pre-war 500K supercar cost a small fortune when new and today commands a king’s ransom, such is its rarity.

The 1930s decade was a period of unprecedented fertility in motor car styling, of which the sublime 500K represented the very pinnacle of excellence.

Its timeless appeal endures to this day.

The 500K, which boasted an ingenious swing-axle independent rear suspension layout, was created by Hans Nibel, who having started with Benz in the early years of the 20th Century, succeeded Marius Barbarou as chief engineer in 1904 and designed (and raced) the huge Benz cars of the period, culminating in the 200hp ‘Blitzen’ Benz.

After the merger with Mercedes, he replaced Ferdinand Porsche and created the most sophisticated chassis of their day for road and track, including the first of the ‘Silver Arrow’ racers.

The superc...