The latest car to join the Museum collection, albeit on a temporary basis, is a stunning 1935 Mercedes Cabriolet. The car can be found in the Museum foyer and is already drawing the crowds.

Museum Trustee, Mike Penn was told about the car when he visited the Royal Automobile Museum in Amman, Jordan as part of a fact finding tour for the World Forum of Motor Museums. After discussions with Raja Gargour, the Curator of the The Royal Automobile Museum, it was agreed that they would loan us the car to put on display at the Haynes International Motor Museum.

The Mercedes is a product of the Untertürkheim factory in Sindelfingen, Germany. This impressive two seater Cabriolet was one of only one hundred and sixteen built in the five year period from 1935 to 1940 and became very popular with the rich and famous in Europe at that time.

Designed by Friedrich Geiger this car was a development of the 500K, itself a development of the SSK. Available as a two seater cabriolet, four seater coupé or seven seater limousine with armoured sides and armoured glass, it was one of the largest cars of the time. The 540K had the same chassis layout as its predecessor the 500K but was significantly lightened by replacing heavy girder frame with lightweight tubes, an influence of the Mercedes Silver Arrows racing campaign.

Its straight-8 cylinder engine of 5401 cc and two pressurised updraft carburettors developed a natural 115 hp. However, there was an attached Roots supercharger which could either be engaged manually for short periods, or automatically when the accelerator was pushed fully to the floor. This increased power to 180 hp creating a top speed 110 miles per hour, a speed almost unprecedented in a road car at that time.

This car was owned by His Majesty King Hussein of Jordan and stabled at his residence in the UK. We are indebted to His Majesty’s family for allowing us to exhibit this fine example of automotive art and engineering.