Mercedes-Benz 500K
From Mercedes Wiki
| Automotive industry | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|
| Also called | W29 |
| Production | 1934–36 |
| Assembly | Untertürkheim factory, Sindelfingen |
| Predecessor | Mercedes-Benz 380 |
| Successor | Mercedes-Benz 540K |
| Automobile layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout |
| Internal combustion engine | 5,018 Cubic centimetre Straight-8 |
| Transmission (mechanics) | 4-speed or optional 5-speed Manual transmission |
| Wheelbase | 2,980 mm (117.3 in) (SWB) 3,290 mm (129.5 in) (LWB) |
| Curb weight | Up to 2,700 kg (6,000 lb) |
| Fuel capacity | 110 Litre (24.2 Imperial unit Gallon; 29.1 United States customary units Gallon) |
| Automotive design | Friedrich Geiger |
The Mercedes 500K is a Sports car built by Mercedes-Benz between 1934 and 1936, and first exhibited at the 1934 Berlin Motor Show.[1] Distinguished from the 500 Sedan (car) by the "K" in its name which denoted the kompressor (Supercharger) only fitted to the sports cars, it succeeded the Mercedes-Benz 380 which had been introduced only the previous year, using a larger, more powerful engine and more opulent Coachwork to meet customers' demands for greater luxury and performance.[2][3]
The 500K used the same Independent suspension setup as had been introduced on the 380, with a Double wishbone Front axle, double-joint Swing axle at the rear, and separate wheel location, Coil spring and damping, a world first.[1][2] Consequently it was a more comfortable and better handling car than Mercedes' previous S/SS/SSK generation of Roadster from the 1920s, and offered greater appeal to buyers, particularly the growing number of well-heeled female drivers of the time.[1]
Using a separate foot-operated pedal alongside the accelerator to engage the Roots supercharger,[1] the five Litre Straight-8 engine produced 160 Horsepower (120 Kilowatt) and was capable of over 160 Kilometres per hour (100 Miles per hour), consuming fuel at the rate of up to 30 l/100 km (9.4 mpg-imp; 7.8 mpg-US) as it did so.[1][3]
Three different Chassis and eight Coachbuilder were available for customers;[1][3] the two longer "B" and "C" four seat Cabriolet (automobile) versions rode on a Wheelbase of 3,290 mm (129.5 in), and would later be used on other Sedan (car) and Touring car models.[1] The short "A" chassis, with a 2,980 mm (117.3 in) wheelbase, underpinned the two-seater models: the Motorway Courier, and the 1936 Special Roadster which offered the highest performance.[1][4] All models featured such advanced equipment as safety glass, Hydraulic brake, and a 12-Volt electrical system sufficient to bear the load of the electric Windscreen wiper, Power door lock, and Blinker.[3]
342 500Ks were built during its two years in production, including 29 Special Roadsters, before being replaced by the even more powerful Mercedes-Benz 540K in 1936.[1] Today, they remain highly prized for their heritage and scarcity; when the car collection of Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone was auctioned in October 2007 it included five pre-war Mercedes, and his 500K Special Cabriolet fetched almost Pound sterling700,000 (United States dollar1.45 million).[5]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 "1934 - The Mercedes 500K is born". Classicdriver.com. http://www.classicdriver.com/uk/magazine/3200.asp?id=11919.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K Special Roadster". Sportscarmarket.com. August 2001. http://www.sportscarmarket.com/Profiles/2001/August/German/.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Frank, Michael (February 5, 2003). "Special K". Forbes. http://www.forbes.com/2003/02/25/cx_mf_0225vow.html.
- ↑ "The 25 Most Beautiful Cars Ever". Automobile Magazine. http://www.automobilemag.com/features/news/25_most_beautiful_cars/0609_mercedes_benz_500k_special_roadster/index.html.
- ↑ "Gallery: Ecclestone Merc goes for £4m". MSN. October 31, 2007. http://cars.uk.msn.com/news/car_news_article.aspx?cp-documentid=6543355.
