Mercedes-Benz 540 K Streamliner (W 29), 1938
The 540 K Streamliner was developed in 1937/38 in the special car construction department of the Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen. From today’s perspective, the vehicle would be described as a coupé in the style of a Gran Turismo. But in keeping with the conventions of the 1930s, stylists call the body shape a streamlined saloon or simply the Streamliner. Based on the chassis of the 540 K production car, the vehicle was built to reach very high speeds quickly and maintain them over longer distances with its powerful supercharged engine. Thanks to the lightweight aluminium body developed in the wind tunnel, this one-off was a model of efficiency in its performance class. In addition to lightweight construction and sophisticated aerodynamics, it was also the outstanding exterior and interior design, the dignified finish and the generous interior comfort that made the 540 K Streamliner an absolutely singular vehicle. At the time it was created with the potential of taking part in the long-distance Berlin-Rome tour planned for autumn 1938, which was initially postponed until 1939 and finally cancelled altogether owing to the start of the Second World War. From mid-1938, the Streamliner was used by the German subsidiary of tyre manufacturer Dunlop to subject high-speed tyres for fast vehicles to punishing everyday testing. After the war, it was put into storage. In 2014, Mercedes-Benz Classic meticulously rebuilt the vehicle to its original state as part of a highly demanding and elaborate restoration project. The subsequently measured drag coefficient was Cd = 0.36. This is an excellent value for a 1930s car.
Technical data of the Mercedes-Benz 540 K Streamliner (W 29)
Production year: 1938
Cylinders: 8/in-line
Displacement: 5,401 cc
Output: 85 kW (115 hp), with supercharger 132 kW (180 hp)
Top speed: 185 km/h
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