During the late 1930s, with the possible exception of the American Duesenberg, no automobile compared with the Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster when it came to sheer beauty combined with outstanding performance.

Engineered by Hans Nibel, the 540 K boasted a pushrod overhead-valve inline eight-cylinder engine, displacing 5,401 cubic centimeters and equipped with a double-vane Roots-type supercharger which, when engaged at full throttle, boosted horsepower to 180, enabling most any style to reach 100 mph.

On this chassis, the most beautiful body was the Special Roadster, drawn like the other factory styles by the talented pen of Hermann Ahrens and featuring exceptional proportions created by a radiator located 185 millimeters further back on the chassis.

Several versions were made, the most desirable of which were the so-called long-tail, high-door models, which featured almost a continuous curve from the V-shaped windshield back through the doors to a flowing tail that carried a ...