A magnificent 1928 Mercedes-Benz with superb Saoutchik transformable coachwork, it is estimated to fetch up to $1.3 million at an upcoming Bonhams sale in Germany.

The Model K 6,240cc Supercharged Torpedo Transformable will be part of Bonhams’ annual Mercedes-Benz sale in on March 19, and is estimated to fetch between €800,000-1,200,000 ($868,000-1.3 million).

With the merger of Daimler and Benz in 1926, two of the motoring world’s most significant motor manufacturing dynasties pooled skills and resources to produce a mighty force in the relatively infant motor industry.

The technical genius of Dr. Ferdinand Porsche, who had joined Daimler in 1923, brought significant influence to the mighty supercharged cars catering for the driver who demanded outstanding touring luxury, combined with top performance. 

Mercedes-Benz advertising boasted of ‘the fastest sports car in the world’ and referred unashamedly to ‘the Mighty Mercedes’.

Mercedes had unveiled two supercharged production models at the 1921 Berlin Show, and had campaigned a supercharged racing car in the 1922 Targa Florio Race in Sicily, all of them designed by the studio of chief designer Paul Daimler. The arrival of Ferdinand Porsche at Mercedes was heralded by significant enhancements to the supercharged six-cylinder models which were to be introduced in late 1924. 

The Model K was a true masterpiece, claiming to be the fastest touring car in existence. With so much power on tap, the Model K was not for the faint-hearted, but for the committed driver to experience the thrill of his racing heroes at the wheel of the 6 ¼ litre engine.

Writing of the model, motoring correspondent Edgar Duffield reported: “Forget the supercharger, and you have a beautiful touring car. Remember it, use it …. keep at least one eye well ahead – for the glint of sunshine on white-metal buttons!”

Philip Kantor, Bonhams European Motoring Director, said: “Bonhams’ record-breaking motoring department returns to Stuttgart for the annual Mercedes-Benz sale. The single-marque auction is a natural partnership for Bonhams, as the world record holders for the most valuable Mercedes-Benz ever sold at auction (the 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R Formula 1 Racing Single-Seater sold by Bonhams for £19,601,500 in 2013).

“With some incredible motor cars in the sale, including this glorious green-bodied 1928 Mercedes-Benz Model K with its stunning Saoutchik transformable coachwork, we anticipate another exciting auction at the Mercedes-Benz Museum.”

Saoutchik was a deluxe coachbuilder, founded in France in 1906. The company was renowned throughout the 1920s and 1930s for its extravagant and high quality designs, as demonstrated with the vibrant green coachwork featured on the Model K offered.

Bonhams Mercedes-Benz Sale will take place on March 19 in the Mercedes-Benz Museum, Stuttgart, Germany. 

The Mercedes-Benz Museum charts the entire history of the world’s oldest car manufacturer, with a total of 1,500 exhibits featured in the museum.