TheMercedes-Benz 500K(W29) is agrand touring carbuilt byMercedes-Benzbetween 1934 and 1936. First exhibited at the 1934Berlin Motor Show.[1]It is distinguished from the500 sedanby the "K" forKompressor(German forsupercharger). it succeeded theMercedes-Benz 380introduced the previous year, It offered both a larger, more powerful engine and more opulentcoachworkto meet customers' demands for greater luxury and performance.[2][3]
| Mercedes-Benz 500K | |
|---|---|
 Mercedes-Benz 500K Cabriolet A | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz |
| Production | 1934–1936 |
| Assembly | Sindelfingen,Germany |
| Designer | Friedrich Geiger |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-doorconvertible |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 5,018 cc (5.018 L)I8 |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual optional 5-speedmanual[1] |
| Dimensions | |
| 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) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Mercedes-Benz 380SSK |
| Successor | Mercedes-Benz 540K |
Specifications
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The 500K used the sameindependent suspensionas had been introduced on the 380, with adouble wishbonefront axle,double-jointswing axleat the rear, and separate wheel location,coil springsand damping, a world first.[1][2]Consequently, it was a more comfortable and better handling car than Mercedes' previousS/SS/SSKgeneration ofroadstersfrom the 1920s, and offered greater appeal to buyers, particularly the growing number of well-heeled female drivers of the time.[1]
Pressing thethrottlepedal fully engaged theRoots supercharger,[1]inducing the fivelitrestraight-eight engineto produce up to 160horsepower(120 kW) and making the car capable of over 160kilometres per hour(100mph), while 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 differentchassisand eightbodieswere available for customers;[1][3]the two longer "B" and "C" four-seatcabrioletversions rode on awheelbaseof 3,290 mm (129.5 in), and would later be used on othersedanandtouring carmodels.[1]The short "A" chassis, with a 2,980 mm (117.3 in) wheelbase, underpinned the two-seater models: theMotorway Courier,and the 1936Special Roadsterwhich offered the highest performance.[1][4]All models featured such advanced equipment as safety glass,hydraulic brakes,and a 12-voltelectrical system sufficient to bear the load of the electricwindscreen wipers,door locks,andindicators.[3]
Production figures
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Of the combined production of the 500K (342 cars), including 29 "Special Roadsters" during its two years in production, and the later 540K (419 cars) from Sindelfingen, the deliveries were:[1]
- 70 chassis without body
- 28 open cars (offener Tourenwagen)
- 23 sedans with 4 doors (mainly 500K)
- 29 sedans with 2 doors (mainly 540K)
- 12 Coupés
- 6 Autobahn cruisers (Autobahn-kurier)
- 58 Roadsters
- 116 Cabriolets A
- 296 Cabriolets B
- 122 Cabriolets C
Popular culture
editCruella de Vil,the fictional character inOne Hundred and One Dalmatians,drives a red and black automobile which strongly resembles a Mercedes-Benz 500K Cabriolet, an Alvis Speed 20 and a Bugatti Royale.
Gallery
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1934 Mercedes-Benz 500K, atRétromobile2017 -
Mercedes-Benz 500K from the rear -
Mercedes-Benz 500K cockpit -
Mercedes-Benz 500K Autobahn cruiser atNational Car Museum of Iranthat belonged toReza Pahlavi,former Shah of Iran -
References
editNotes
edit- ^abcdefghij"1934 - The Mercedes 500K is born".Classicdriver.com. Archived fromthe originalon 2012-02-10.
- ^ab"1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K Special Roadster".Sportscarmarket.com. August 2001. Archived fromthe originalon 2008-10-28.
- ^abcdFrank, Michael (February 5, 2003)."Special K".Forbes.
- ^"The 25 Most Beautiful Cars Ever".Automobile Magazine.
Bibliography
edit- Melin, Jan (1985).Mercedes-Benz: The Supercharged 8-Cylinder Cars of the 1930s.Vol. 1. Gothenburg, Sweden: Nordbok International.ISBN9187036002.
- —————; Hernström, Sven (2003).Mercedes-Benz: The Supercharged 8-Cylinder Cars of the 1930s.Vol. 2. Sparreholm, Sweden: Gamla Bilsalongen.ISBN9163144352.
- Oswald, Werner[in German](2001).Deutsche Autos[German Cars] (in German). Vol. Band [Volume] 2: 1920–1945. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag.ISBN3613021706.
- ——————— (2018).Mercedes-Benz Personenwagen 1886-1986[Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars 1886-1986] (in German). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag.ISBN9783613041288.
External links
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- [1]Mercedes-Benz Classic Center USApresents the 500K Cabriolet atAmelia Island Concours d'Elegance
- [2]Klassik-Oldtimer-Klatt presents the 500K Cabriolet