Carrosserie Saoutchik is renowned for the luxurious finish of its cars and for its reentrant mechanisms of roofs, doors and windows. Their business anticipates their competitor Figoni et Falaschi created in 1935.
The major automotive brands of the 1930s are increasingly interested in controlling the bodies while continuing to also sell bare chassis. For the model 380 introduced in 1933, Mercedes-Benz offers no less than six standard body types including three convertibles.
Two Americans visit the Paris Auto Show in October 1935 in search not of the best car but of the best chassis. One of them selects a Rolls-Royce while his friend purchases a superb 500K chassis prepared with a special care by Mercedes-Benz for this Salon.
The 500K was immediately entrusted to Saoutchik. The client demanded a masterpiece and Saoutchik did not disappoint him. In preparing his cabriolet, he stated that this handsome car will still be equally admired half a century later.
This cabriolet is also considered as a marvel by his next owners who take the highest care of it. Remaining complete at a high level of authenticity despite a few restorations, it is estimated € 6M for sale by Bonhams on March 19 in the premises of the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, lot 145.
unsold
A Decade of Style: Magnificent #Mercedes of the 1930S leads Bonhams Sale: https://t.co/gCO2DglStG pic.twitter.com/IN9UCiL6Ea
— BONHAMS (@bonhams1793) March 9, 2016