Lot details
Registration: EGP 103
Chassis: 95288
Odometer: 60,066 km
Transmission: Manual
- Believed to be one of 4 or 5 known remaining 380K Cabriolet Type A models remaining
- Comes with paperwork including a copy of the original selling and buying document
- Full restoration required
- In present ownership since the early 1960s
- Comes with old-style V5
Whilst the appearance may suggest otherwise, this is a very rare, desirable and potentially hugely valuable 1930s Mercedes.
It comes to us as part of a deceased estate. The now deceased owner bought the car in 1963 / 64 from a fellow enthusiast in the North West, although we are unaware of the condition when he purchased it. We are told that it was laid up at least 30 years ago at the deceased home under a car port. There is a picture in the file of the car looking largely complete when the car was first purchased by the deceased vendor.
By way of background, the 380 model (W22) was introduced to replace the former 500K and SSK models. Looking at the original build sheet of our example (photocopy supplied by Daimler Benz Aktiengesellschaft in 1982), it appears it was sold to a William Merck Darmstadt for DM4500 plus extras, coming to a total of DM5095 - a huge amount of money at the time (approx. £200,000 in today’s money) in 1933 - and registered as IA 93280 (D). We believe only 16 Type A cabriolets were built and as a consquence this is a very rare car.
The date registered on the V5 is 1936 - we believe this is the date when the car was imported into the UK.
Whilst there are parts missing, the fundamentals are still intact although given the condition, viewing is highly recommended. The all-important supercharger is still present, as is the iconic grille / radiator which appears in half decent condition.
The car appears to have the original M22 engine, which was a 3.8 litre in-line 8 cylinder with OHV and bolt on Roots style Kompressor/Supercharger and circa 120hp. The car was fitted with a 4-speed gearbox when new and hydraulic brakes all-round (with vacuum assist). It was very advanced for its day with independent front suspension (trapezoidal link style with coil springs) and a sturdy swing axle at the rear. It was a mid range car so to speak, to fit between the W18 Typ 290 and the flagship W07 770. It would be the basis for its later successor, the W29 500K of 1934.
Further details and photographs will be added in due course.
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