A last-of-its-kind 1938 Mercedes-Benz takes Pebble Beach's top trophy

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A 1938 Mercedes-Benz that is the only survivor of its model won Best in Show at the 70 ^th edition of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California in mid-August. It was a triumph for the car’s owners, who have now snagged that top trophy for the third time; and for the show itself, which was cancelled due to the pandemic in 2020.

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This Mercedes-Benz 540K was one of six “Autobahn-Kuriers” made. They were named for their ability to cruise quickly and effortlessly on Germany’s highways, thanks to their engineering and aerodynamics. The automaker produced four copies as 500K models, and two 540K versions with a supercharged 5.4L eight-cylinder engine.

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A last-of-its-kind 1938 Mercedes-Benz takes Pebble Beach's top trophy Back to video

This one was the second of the two built, and the only one of the six known to survive. It’s owned by Arturo and Deborah Keller, and housed in their Keller Collection at The Pyramids in California.

The car first won its class and then faced off against the winners of the 27 other classes — cars ranging from a 1910 Winton, to a 1930 Duesenberg, through to a 1957 Cadillac and 1981 Lamborghini Countach — to capture the top title.

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The Mercedes-Benz was initially bought in 1938 by Dr. Ignacio Barraquer, a Spanish ophthalmologist who invented many of the surgical instruments and procedures still used today, including for cataract surgery. He drove the wheels off it over the years, taking it on extended trips through North Africa, Austria, and Switzerland right into the 1950s. It remained in his family until the Kellers bought it in 2003.

Following its restoration in 2006, it took its class in that year’s Pebble Beach event and was a finalist for the top prize. It took Best in Show at three other events between 2008 and 2011 before this year’s trophy.

The Kellers previously won Pebble Beach’s Best in Show in 1986 with a 1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K Special Roadster; and in 2001 with a 1930 Mercedes-Benz SS Erdmann & Rossi Roadster. This year’s win was the ninth time a Benz has taken the trophy, finally tying with Bugatti for the honour.

The Concours d’Elegance wraps up a week-long event that also included vintage auto tours, vintage racing, and an auction. The 71^st edition of the show is planned for Sunday, August 21, 2022.