Description
The Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet A Mulliner was one of the rarest and most exclusive interpretations of the already prestigious 500 K, combining German supercharged engineering with bespoke British coachbuilding. Built during the mid-1930s, this variant paired Mercedes-Benz’s formidable 5.0-litre Kompressor chassis with a hand-crafted two-seat cabriolet body by H J Mulliner of London. The result was a uniquely Anglo-German grand tourer that blended immense performance, restrained elegance and individual craftsmanship, standing apart even within the elite world of pre-war luxury automobiles.
Mechanically, the car retained the formidable foundations of the standard 500 K. Power came from the 5.0-litre inline-eight engine fitted with a Roots-type supercharger. In normal driving the engine ran unboosted, delivering smooth and dignified progress, but when the throttle was fully opened the supercharger engaged, raising output to around 160 horsepower. This gave the Mulliner-bodied Cabriolet A immense flexibility, with effortless cruising combined with dramatic acceleration when required. Power was delivered through a four-speed manual gearbox, and the engine’s immense torque made the car feel powerful and composed regardless of speed or load.
The chassis was the low-frame design that defined the 500 K, allowing the body to sit deep between the axles and dramatically lowering the centre of gravity. This not only improved handling and stability but also gave the car its long, low and imposing stance. Suspension used semi-elliptic leaf springs front and rear, carefully tuned to support the heavy engine and luxury bodywork while maintaining ride comfort. Hydraulic brakes on all four wheels provided strong and reliable stopping power, essential given the car’s performance potential. The overall driving character was one of authority and composure rather than agility, perfectly suited to a supercharged luxury tourer.
What set this version apart was the Mulliner body. Unlike the more dramatic and sculptural Sindelfingen designs, Mulliner favoured a more understated, British sense of elegance. The Cabriolet A configuration was a two-seat open car with a long, flowing bonnet, restrained wing lines and a subtly proportioned passenger compartment. Chrome detailing was used sparingly, and the overall silhouette was clean, balanced and dignified. The folding fabric roof was beautifully integrated and sat low when lowered, preserving the car’s graceful profile. Mulliner’s craftsmanship was evident in the precision of the panel work, the refinement of the proportions and the subtle individuality of the design.
Inside, the Mulliner-built Cabriolet A offered an atmosphere of bespoke luxury. The two-seat cabin was typically upholstered in fine leather, with carefully selected hides and impeccable stitching. Wood trim, polished metal fittings and bespoke interior details reflected Mulliner’s tradition of tailored craftsmanship. The dashboard retained Mercedes-Benz instrumentation but was often finished to a higher degree of customisation, blending German functional clarity with British coachbuilt elegance. The interior felt intimate and exclusive, reinforcing the car’s role as a personal grand tourer rather than a formal conveyance.
On the road, the 500 K Cabriolet A Mulliner delivered an experience that combined refinement with formidable performance. In relaxed touring it behaved as a quiet, smooth and authoritative luxury car. When the supercharger engaged, the transformation was immediate, with powerful acceleration delivered effortlessly and without drama. The low-slung chassis provided stability at speed, and the car excelled on long-distance journeys where its combination of torque, comfort and presence could be fully appreciated. It was not a car for narrow roads or hurried driving, but one that rewarded smooth, confident progress.
The Mulliner-bodied 500 K Cabriolet A was produced in extremely small numbers, likely only as special commissions for British or internationally minded clients who desired something distinct from the factory-bodied Mercedes models. Its rarity today is compounded by the already limited production of the 500 K itself. As a result, surviving examples are among the most sought-after and valuable of all pre-war Mercedes-Benz automobiles.
Today, the Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet A Mulliner is regarded as a pinnacle of bespoke pre-war luxury. It represents a unique collaboration between German engineering excellence and British coachbuilding tradition, resulting in a car of exceptional presence, restraint and mechanical authority. For collectors, it stands not only as a masterpiece of craftsmanship but also as a symbol of an era when the world’s finest automobiles were built to individual taste, with no compromise in performance, elegance or exclusivity.