Together with the Duesenberg Model J in the United States,
the Talbot-Lago Teardrop in France, the Mercedes-Benz 54oK Spezial-Roadster
brings, over the time, the beauty of the automotive design in its purest shape!
The car was first time viewed at the 1934 Berlin Motor Show
and, soon, it became a flagship of the Mercedes-Benz fleet. The Special Roadster
was built only by special order.
During the two years of production of 500K (between 1934
till 1936), 342 units were made including 29 Spezial-Roadster.
Maisto, one of the cheapest die-cast makers, reproduces one
of this special demands builds at the 1/18th scale. The model they
reproduces it must be the 500 K Special Roadster Maharaja which in reality was
an 540K. Here I cannot say exactly what Maisto did or wanted to do…
Unfortunately there are more 'inaccuracies' with this model.
Unhappily I cannot make a list of the differences because I was not able to
find many historical information about this car. And what I found is divergent also.
It is sure that Maisto combined another version of their existing 540K Special Roadster without too much consideration for historical accuracy. To make the model correct, would have required a complete new body tool.
It is sure that Maisto combined another version of their existing 540K Special Roadster without too much consideration for historical accuracy. To make the model correct, would have required a complete new body tool.
Those being said, I tried to detail my own version for this
superb roadster. The improvements I made are :
corrected the under-body
detailed and corrected the engine
covered the interior in real leather
carpeting the interior
building the lateral doors windows
wood trims for interior
bare metal foil chromed trims
And many others little details you can see (and identify if
you own an Maisto MB 500K)
