Makes › Mercedes-Benz › 500 › 500 K Spezial-Roadster · Coachbuilt · 1934–1936 Ultra Rare

Mercedes-Benz
500 K Spezial-Roadster

Sindelfingen-built Spezial-Roadster on 500 K (540 K version already listed)

25BuiltIndependently researched

0Chassis documentedin this archive

7SurvivingIndependently researched

Contents

01Overview
02Production & history
03Specifications
- Technical specifications
04Colours & options
- Factory colours & interiors
- Factory options & codes
05Individual cars
06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built: 25 Built
Years: 1934–1936
Engine: Supercharged 5.0-litre eight-cylinder · 5,000 cc / 5 LFactory: 5 L
Power: 119 kW / 162 PSFactory: 160 hp · converted
Top speed: 175 km/hFactory: 175 km/h
Body: Not yet verified
Designer: Mercedes-Benz Sindelfingen coachbuilding works
In this archive: Not yet verified
Surviving: 7 (independently researched)

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The Spezial-Roadster was the most expensive and most glamorous factory body on the 500 K, and is regarded as one of Mercedes-Benz's styling and engineering masterpieces. Only 25 of about 350 500 Ks were built as Spezial-Roadsters.

How rare is it?

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

Model rarityUltra Rare 25 · Built¹

Specification rarityNot yet assessed

Colour rarityNot yet assessed

Individual rarityNot yet assessed

Historical rarityNot yet assessed

Survival rarityNot yet assessed 7 · Surviving²

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

Mercedes-Benz 500 K Spezial-Roadster (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Thomas Vogt from Paderborn, Deutschland · CC BY 2.0
Mercedes-Benz 500 K Spezial-Roadster (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Thomas Vogt from Paderborn, Deutschland · CC BY 2.0
Mercedes-Benz 500 K Spezial-Roadster (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Thomas Vogt from Paderborn, Deutschland · CC BY 2.0

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

What is counted	Figure	Basis	Status
Total model productionoriginal short-tail, low-door Special Roadsters on the 500 K chassis, per RM Sotheby's (2025); not a count of all 500 K Special Roadsters	7²	Surviving examples	Independently researched
Total model productionSpezial Roadsters out of 350 type 500K	25¹	Factory production	Independently researched

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

History

Built by Mercedes-Benz's Sindelfingen body works, the Spezial-Roadster cost 28,000 Reichsmark, around 6,000 more than other 500 K versions. The Louwman Museum's 1936 example was delivered new to a London shipping insurer, spent some 30 years stored in a barn after 1956, and after restoration won its class at Pebble Beach in 1994.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard 500 K Spezial-Roadster.

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

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine family	Not yet verified
Engine code	M 24 I³Base 500 K (W 29) chassis figure from the factory archive, not specific to this body.
Layout	Supercharged 5.0-litre eight-cylinder⁴ Independently researched
Cylinders	8³Base 500 K (W 29) chassis figure from the factory archive, not specific to this body.
Displacement	5,000 cc / 5 LFactory: 5 L⁴ Independently researched
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 ratio	5.5:1 (depending on fuel, up to 6.5:1)³Base 500 K (W 29) chassis figure from the factory archive, not specific to this body.
Valvetrain	1 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 system	1 Mercedes-Benz twin updraught carburettor³Base 500 K (W 29) chassis figure from the factory archive, not specific to this body.
Induction	Engageable 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 rpm³Base 500 K (W 29) chassis figure from the factory archive, not specific to this body.
Torque	Not yet verified

Transmission & drivetrain

Gearbox	Four-speed manual, rear-wheel drive⁴ Independently researched
Gears	4³The 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 ratios	I: 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 drive	4.88 (also 5.11; 4.46; 4.18)³Base 500 K (W 29) chassis figure from the factory archive, not specific to this body.
Driven wheels	Rear wheels³Base 500 K (W 29) chassis figure from the factory archive, not specific to this body.

Chassis, body & dimensions

Chassis	Box-section pressed-steel low-bed frame³Base 500 K (W 29) chassis figure from the factory archive, not specific to this body.
Front suspension	Double wishbone with coil springs³Base 500 K (W 29) chassis figure from the factory archive, not specific to this body.
Rear suspension	Swing axle with additional compensating springs; double coil springs³Base 500 K (W 29) chassis figure from the factory archive, not specific to this body.
Brakes	Hydraulic 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.
Steering	Worm-and-nut steering³Base 500 K (W 29) chassis figure from the factory archive, not specific to this body.
Body construction	Not 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.
Length	Not yet verified
Width	Not yet verified
Height	Not yet verified
Front track	Not yet verified
Rear track	Not yet verified
Kerb weight	Not yet verified
Dry weight	Not yet verified

Performance

Maximum speed	175 km/hFactory: 175 km/h⁴ Independently researched
0–100 km/h	Not 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.

V-shaped split windscreen, long sloping tail with the single spare wheel recessed under a cover in the rear deck, high doors, shell-shaped wings and a mother-of-pearl dashboard.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1
Mercedes-Benz 500k Special Roadster – Louwman Museum Level B
- 25 Spezial Roadsters out of 350 type 500K
Accessed 2026-11-11
2
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Special Roadster by Sindelfingen, Monterey 2025 Level C RM Sotheby's
- One of seven extant original short-tail, low-door Special Roadsters
Accessed 2026-11-12
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)
- 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)
- with supercharger 160 hp at 3400 rpm (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)
- Fuel tank: position / capacity : in the rear / 110 l (Specifications)
- Fuel consumption : 27 l (Specifications)
Accessed 2026-11-12
4
Mercedes-Benz 500K Spezial Roadster Level B Louwman Museum
- five-litre, supercharged eight-cylinder engine
- five-litre
- 160 hp with supercharger, about 100 without
- rear-wheel drive with 4 gears
- top speed 175 km/h
Accessed 2026-11-12

Research coverage

Production figures2 recorded

Technical data26 verified values

Factory coloursNot yet researched

Option codesNot yet researched

Chassis documented0 of 25

Photographs3

Shows what this archive has recorded so far – not how much of the history is known.

Editorial status

Reviewed · 2026-11-11

Revision history (4)

2026-11-11 Basic profile published from discovery research; production figure re-checked against its source page.
2026-11-12 Research gaps filled from sources (8 values).
2026-11-12 Research gaps filled from sources (24 values).
2026-11-12 Research gaps filled from sources (1 values).

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Mercedes-Benz
500 K Spezial-Roadster

At a glance

Why it matters

How rare is it?

Photos

Production

History

Variants