Mercedes: Luxe
1938 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Autobahnkurier Coupe
Giving new meaning to the term, rare, this classic 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Autobahnkurier Coupe is the sole surviving example of only two of its kind ever built. The Autobahnkurier was a fast touring car, incorporating the most advanced automotive engineering of the time.
There’s good reason why the Autobahnkurier caused a sensation. It’s long hood, sweeping lines and refined elegance were little matched. And when combined with one of the best pre-war chassis, it was also hard to ignore. To maintain brand recognition Mercedes-Benz insisted that this fastback retain the standard front radiator. It also featured the first Mercedes-Benz curved rear-quarter windows. Some production cars have become iconic, but it takes a higher level of distinction to have a single car create equal impact. The word recherche comes to mind.
I was day dreaming about a car or two this morning during my commute back from dropping the children at school. The only new cars I could think of ever buying were an Audi A8 or the that sleek new Mercedes (“S”?) Since I’ll never be able to buy a new car, I immediately drift into “wouldn’t it be wonderful to own a vintage….” Jag, Mercedes, Bentley … why don’t they make things this beautiful these days?
I so agree E. A good friend of mine used to be the curator of the Peterson Automotive Museum in LA.
There was a select groups of guys there with a great deal of money who would buy these old vintage
cars and have them restored. They would literally fly these mechanics and restoration people across
the country to do nothing but work on these magnificent automobiles. Very rarely, if ever, would I
see anything that could even approximate the style and beauty of the old classics.
This is such a great car! Mercedes made so beautiful cars these days!!!