A magnificent Mercedes-Benz 540 K, originally owned by Afghanistan’s King Zahir Shah, won the coveted title of “Best of Show” at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance motor show in California this week.
The 540 K Special Roadster was ordered in May 1937 by Mohammed Zahir Shah, the King of Afghanistan at the time. It was delivered in September 1937 and owned by the king until he gifted it to his son-in-law in the UK in 1950.
It was then sold to a U.S. collector in 1953. To date it has had five owners. The current owner bought the roadster for $9.9 million at an auction during last year’s Pebble Beach event.
The roadster has since been fully restored by RM Auto Restoration in cooperation with the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center.
“The 540 K Special Roadster winning the ‘Best of Showʼ title at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance crowns the immense commitment of RM Auto Restoration and Mercedes-Benz Heritage to the restoration of this outstanding vehicle,” Mercedes-Benz Heritage boss Marcus Breitschwerdt said after the win.
“We are proud to have contributed to this success story with the unique expertise of our Classic Center and the archives. The intensive and good cooperation with RM Auto Restoration during the past months has made this success possible.”
