When it comes to classic cars, few generate as much admiration as the Mercedes-Benz 500K Special Roadster (W 29). Both a symbol of status and a feat of engineering, this car was designed to be revered as much as it was made to be driven.

Built in Sindelfingen in a highly customised production process, the great efforts that went into creating the 500 K Special Roadster are still amazing today. The large, elegantly curved wings and long bonnet were designed by Friedrich Geiger and give the car all the flair of the ‘roaring twenties’. The interior is equally elegant, with finely handcrafted upholstery and a dashboard reminiscent of a watchmaker’s workshop.

Eight different variants of the 500 K Special Roadster were made. A total of 761 chassis were built between 1934 and 1939 for the two models in the series: 342 of the 500 K and 419 of the 540 K.

A crowd favourite

After the other seven body variants were presented in June 1934, the superstar of the legendary model series made its debut at the Paris Motor Show in October of the same year: the 500 K Special Roadster.

Just one year later, it wowed the public in an even more breathtaking version: a sculpture in bright red. This version is currently on display at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, often picked as the firm favourite of many international visitors – and probably one of the most photographed. Time and again, amazed and awestruck faces surround the cult classic inside the museum.

It was also the most expensive version of the W 29 when it was launched, but nevertheless achieved impressive sales of around 50 units. The 500 K Special Roadster was a car for the out-and-about bohemian to whom luxury, performance and design were everything.

Special place in history

But the 500 K Special Roadster, which holds a prominent place in the history of the greatest Mercedes-Benz models, is not just a four-wheeled beauty with its chrome-rimmed round clocks, artificial mother-of-pearl in the dashboard area, fantastic radiator grille, charismatic round lights and the elegant curves of its side profile. Its five-litre, eight-cylinder engine, and top speed of 160km/h, made it one of the sports supercars of its time. Hardly any other production vehicle was faster.

We don't know how many Special Roadsters are still around today. But their rarity and prestige make them highly coveted: whenever a 500 K Special Roadster comes up for sale or auction, the bidding very rarely stays in the single-digit million range.

Love classic cars? Take a look inside our vintage car collection.