Rare Car Archive

Makes › Mercedes-Benz Germany › 500 › 500 K Autobahn-Kurier · Coachbuilt · 1934–1936 Ultra Rare

Mercedes-Benz
500 K Autobahn-Kurier

Streamlined fastback Sindelfingen body for autobahn touring

IDENTIFICATION CARD · MERCEDES-BENZ 500 K AUTOBAHN-KURIER 1934–1936
No licensed photograph yet. Photographs are published only when their licence permits it.
6BuiltFactory reported
0Chassis documentedin this archive
?SurvivingNot yet verified
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
6 Built
Years
1934–1936
Engine
Supercharged eight-cylinder, pushrod OHV · 5,018 cc / 5.0 LFactory: 5,018 cc
Power
119 kW / 162 PSFactory: 160 hp · converted
Top speed
160 km/hFactory: 160 km/h
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Not yet verified
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
Not yet verified

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The Autobahn-Kurier was the streamlined closed body for the supercharged Mercedes-Benz 500 K, intended for fast touring on Germany's new autobahns. Only four of the 342 500 Ks received it, and it was the first car with curved side windows.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityUltra Rare 6 · Built1,2
Specification rarityNot yet assessed
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

What is countedFigureBasisStatus
Total model productionAutobahn-Kurier bodies among the 761 W 29 (500 K and 540 K) chassis, as the archive overview states 61,2 Factory production Factory reported

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

The 500 K (W29) was unveiled at the Berlin Motor Show in March 1934 and built until 1936, when the 540 K replaced it; 342 were made. The Sindelfingen body works offered many styles, among them the Autobahn-Kurier, which Daimler-Benz classified as a sports saloon. It used the same chassis layout as the Roadster and Cabriolet A, with radiator and cockpit set 185 mm back from the front axle.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard 500 K Autobahn-Kurier.

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyNot yet verified
Engine codeM 24 I3Base 500 K (W 29) chassis figure from the factory archive, not specific to this body.
LayoutSupercharged eight-cylinder, pushrod OHV4 Independently researched
Cylinders83Base 500 K (W 29) chassis figure from the factory archive, not specific to this body.
Displacement 5,018 cc / 5.0 LFactory: 5,018 cc3Tax classification figure: 4982 cc. Base 500 K (W 29) chassis figure from the factory archive, not specific to this body.
Bore 86 mmFactory: 86 mm3Base 500 K (W 29) chassis figure from the factory archive, not specific to this body.
Stroke 108 mmFactory: 108 mm3Base 500 K (W 29) chassis figure from the factory archive, not specific to this body.
Compression ratio5.5:1 (depending on fuel, up to 6.5:1)3Base 500 K (W 29) chassis figure from the factory archive, not specific to this body.
Valvetrain1 intake and 1 exhaust valve per cylinder, overhead; 1 lateral camshaft driven via spur gears3Base 500 K (W 29) chassis figure from the factory archive, not specific to this body.
Fuel system1 Mercedes-Benz twin updraught carburettor3Base 500 K (W 29) chassis figure from the factory archive, not specific to this body.
InductionEngageable Roots supercharger3Base 500 K (W 29) chassis figure from the factory archive, not specific to this body.
Power 119 kW / 162 PSFactory: 160 hp · converted4 Independently researched
Power at 3,400 rpm4 Independently researched
TorqueNot yet verified

Transmission & drivetrain

GearboxFour-speed manual, synchromesh second to fourth4 Independently researched
Gears43The page also lists a 5-speed manual transmission (ratios I. 4.12; II. 2.21; III. 1.49; IV. 1.0; V. 0.71; final drive 5.77). Base 500 K (W 29) chassis figure from the factory archive, not specific to this body.
Gear ratiosI: 3.42; II: 1.62; III: 1.0; IV: 0.623Base 500 K (W 29) chassis figure from the factory archive, not specific to this body.
Final drive4.88 (also 5.11; 4.46; 4.18)3Base 500 K (W 29) chassis figure from the factory archive, not specific to this body.
Driven wheelsRear wheels3Base 500 K (W 29) chassis figure from the factory archive, not specific to this body.

Chassis, body & dimensions

ChassisBox-section pressed-steel low-bed frame3Base 500 K (W 29) chassis figure from the factory archive, not specific to this body.
Front suspensionDouble wishbone with coil springs3Base 500 K (W 29) chassis figure from the factory archive, not specific to this body.
Rear suspensionSwing axle with additional compensating springs; double coil springs3Base 500 K (W 29) chassis figure from the factory archive, not specific to this body.
BrakesHydraulic with Bosch-Dewandre vacuum booster on front and rear wheels; mechanical parking brake on rear wheels3Base 500 K (W 29) chassis figure from the factory archive, not specific to this body.
SteeringWorm-and-nut steering3Base 500 K (W 29) chassis figure from the factory archive, not specific to this body.
Body constructionNot yet verified
Wheelbase 3,290 mmFactory: 3,290 mm3The overview page adds that a shorter 2980 mm wheelbase chassis was available to order. Base 500 K (W 29) chassis figure from the factory archive, not specific to this body.
LengthNot yet verified
WidthNot yet verified
HeightNot yet verified
Front trackNot yet verified
Rear trackNot yet verified
Kerb weightNot yet verified
Dry weightNot yet verified

Performance

Maximum speed 160 km/hFactory: 160 km/h3Base 500 K (W 29) chassis figure from the factory archive, not specific to this body.
0–100 km/hNot yet verified
Fuel tank 110 LFactory: 110 L3Base 500 K (W 29) chassis figure from the factory archive, not specific to this body.
Fuel consumption 27 L/100kmFactory: 27 L/100km3Mercedes-Benz archive figure in litres per 100 km: 27 l

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

Being verified against factory or registry sources before it is published. Have a source? Contribute it.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    500 K / 540 K (W 29), 1934 - 1939 Level A Mercedes-Benz Public Archive (Classic M@RS)
    • as few as just six buyers being found for the Autobahn-Kourier
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  2. 2
    Mercedes 500K W29: the car that stunned the world – benz-books.com Level C
    • 4 Autobahnkurier bodies in 500K sales breakdown
    Accessed 2026-11-11
  3. 3
    500 K / W 29, 1934 - 1936 Level A Mercedes-Benz Public Archive (Classic M@RS)
    • Engine type : M 24 I (Specifications)
    • Number of cylinders / arrangement : 8 / in line (Specifications)
    • Total displacement : 5018 cc (tax classification: 4982 cc) (Specifications)
    • Bore x Stroke : 86 x 108 mm (Specifications)
    • Compression ratio : 5.5; depending on fuel, up to 6.5 (Specifications)
    • Valve operation : 1 lateral camshaft; Camshaft drive : via spur gears (Specifications)
    • Fuel system : 1 twin updraught carburettor Mercedes-Benz (Specifications)
    • carburettor engine with engageable Roots supercharger (Specifications)
    • Gearing : 4-speed manual transmission (Specifications)
    • Gear ratios : I. 3.42; II. 1.62; III. 1.0; IV. 0.62 (Specifications)
    • Final drive ratio : 4.88 (also 5.11; 4.46; 4.18) (Specifications)
    • Driven wheels : rear wheels (Specifications)
    • Frame design : box-section pressed-steel low-bed frame (Specifications)
    • Front-wheel suspension : double wishbone; Front springs : coil springs (Specifications)
    • Rear-wheel suspension : swing axle with additional compensating springs (Specifications)
    • Brake system (foot brake) : hydraulic, with Bosch-Dewandre vacuum booster (Specifications)
    • Steering : worm-and-nut steering (Specifications)
    • Wheelbase : 3290 mm (Specifications)
    • Maximum speed : 160 km/h (Specifications)
    • Fuel tank: position / capacity : in the rear / 110 l (Specifications)
    • Fuel consumption : 27 l (Specifications)
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  4. 4
    Mercedes 500K (W29) Level C Benz-Books
    • eight cylinders, supercharged, pushrods and rocker arms
    • 160 hp with supercharger, 100 hp without, at 3,400 rpm
    • at 3,400 rpm
    • synchronized from second to fourth gear
    Accessed 2026-11-12

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