• Log In
  • Become A Subscriber
  • News
  • Features
    • Special Features
    • Moss Special
    • Photography
    • Featured Editorials
    • Racecar Features
    • Roadcar Features
  • Race
    • Racecar Mag.
      • News
      • Features
      • Profile
      • Interview
      • Racecar Gallery
    • Columns
      • First Turn
      • Fast Lines
      • Fabulous Fifties
      • Heroes
      • Legends Speak
      • Stirling Speaks
      • Greatest Racecars
      • Last Lap
    • Profiles
      • Grand Prix History
      • Can-Am Racing
      • Grand Prix Cars
      • Mille Miglia
      • Race Profiles
      • Racecar Profiles
      • Driver Profiles
    • More
      • Art History
      • Fast Exposure
      • Hidden Treasure
      • Hot Laps
      • Time Capsule
      • Market Guide
      • The Golden Age
      • Hard Drive
  • Road
    • Roadcar Mag.
      • News
      • Features
      • Profile
      • Interview
    • Columns
      • From The Editor
      • By Design
      • Driven
      • Flashback
      • Roadcar Gallery
      • Roadcar Video
    • More
      • Roadcar Articles
      • Roadcar Features
      • Roadcar Interviews
      • Roadcar News
      • Roadcar Profiles
  • Brands
    • A to C
      • Alfa Romeo
      • Alpine
      • Auburn
      • Audi
      • Austin
      • Aston Martin
      • Bentley
      • BMW
      • Bugatti
      • Buick
      • Cadillac
      • Chevrolet
      • Chrysler
    • D to L
      • Dodge
      • Duesenberg
      • Ferrari
      • Fiat
      • Ford
      • Hispano Suiza
      • Honda
      • Koenigsegg
      • Jaguar
      • Lagonda
      • Lamborghini
      • Lancia
      • Lexus
      • Lincoln
      • Lola
      • Lotus
    • K to R
      • Maserati
      • Mazda
      • McLaren
      • Mercedes
      • MG
      • Mini
      • Mitsubishi
      • Morgan
      • Nissan
      • Packard
      • Pagani
      • Porsche
      • Renault
      • Rimac
      • Rolls-Royce
    • S to Z
      • SCG
      • Shelby
      • Spyker
      • Subaru
      • Sunbeam
      • Toyota
      • Triumph
      • Vauxhall
      • Volkswagen
      • Volvo
  • Events
  • Cars
    • Iconic Cars
    • SCD Car Profiles
    • VRR Car Profiles
    • Car Profiles
    • Garage & Collection Profiles
    • People Profiles
  • Market
    • Auctions Hub
    • Buyer Guides
    • Cars for Sale
  • For Sale
    • Cars for Sale
    • Dealer Showcase
  • Members
    • Become Member
    • Premium Content
    • Member Help
    • Free Newsletter
Reading
Mercedes-Benz 540K Leads Academy of Art Collection Sale
ShareTweet
Auctions

Mercedes-Benz 540K Leads Academy of Art Collection Sale

 VR Staff

Richard A. Stephens, former Academy of Art University president, always had a penchant for cars, a sentiment that has been passed down to his daughter and current president of the Academy, Dr. Elisa Stephens. Desiring to offer automotive design at the Academy, Mr. Stephens wanted to give students a design perspective that they would not be able to receive anywhere else. With access to a museum of rare and classic vehicles, students could study exquisite design and apply that sense of craftsmanship to their own artistic pursuits.

The school’s automobile museum preserves and pays homage to these classic fixtures of international automotive innovation and also provides inspiration and a sense of history to students that attend Academy of Art University. Special guests, student groups and the general public are now able to observe, admire and study this rare collection, in San Francisco, California.

Mecum Auctions has been selected to offer seven cars, from the museum, for sale at is August 23-25 sale, in Monterey. These seven vehicles include:

1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet B

The 540K took the baton from the 500K, which was an evolution of the earlier SSK, a true dual-purpose road/racecar. The 540K offered large levels of refinement over its predecessors not only in handling and power, but in build quality and refinement as well. Like so many high-end cars of the era, the 540K could be fit with a number of bodies ranging from a two-seat roadster to a fully armored limousine. Arguably the most elegant of the group was the 540K Cabriolet with its elongated wheelbase, slightly longer body, seating for four and carefully crafted exterior styling. The interiors were remarkably luxurious not just for their cradling seats, but also for the materials that were used to craft them. Each 540K was ordered to specification by the customer, so each 540K is essentially unique. Costing around 25,000 Reichsmark, roughly the cost of a nicely appointed home, they were absolutely for the pinnacle of the well-to-do.

Initially purchased through Mercedes-Benz Berlin, via Internal Order No. 257645, this 540K was first used as a demonstrator and registered on August 24, 1937. The subject of a comprehensive restoration, this car features its original engine, chassis and body, which were carefully refurbished to an astonishing level of fit and finish.

1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan

The newly organized Duesenberg company introduced the Model J in December of 1928, at the New York City Car Show and then in Paris in 1929. The original goal was to sell about 500 cars per year, but, thanks to the Great Depression, only 300 orders were initially taken. This 1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan—Chassis No. 2284 with Engine No. J-262—is one of 31 convertible sedans with Murphy coachwork. This exquisite motorcar’s known ownership history is quite impressive. This beautiful example was purchased new in 1929, and the car’s second owner in 1933 was Reverend J. A. Hawkins. Rev. Hawkins retained the car until May 16, 1939, when the car was sold to Ernest S. Hennessey. Hennessey owned the car until 1945, where it then went through a known of chain of owners until it was sold to real estate investor Paul Lapidus of Great Neck, New York, in 1981. In December of 1989, Lapidus decided to sell the car to well-known car collector, Sonny Abagnale of Cedar Grove, New Jersey. Mr. Abagnale finished the restoration, and in 1991, the car achieved AACA Senior honors. In January of 1996, noted collector John Groendyke of Enid, Oklahoma, purchased it. Two years later, the next owner purchased the car and retained ownership until 2006. It was acquired by another collector who maintained the car for four years. In 2010, the car was sold to its current owner.

1936 Packard Super Eight 1404 Dual Cowl Sport Phaeton

One of only two 1936 Packard Super Eight Dual Cowl Sport Phaetons known to exist, this one has been awarded both Best American Classic and Best in Class at the Meadowbrook Concours d’Elegance. Having undergone a comprehensive, five-year restoration, the body was lifted off the chassis and components were taken apart, cleaned, inspected and restored or replaced as needed. The car received a mechanical overhaul including the brakes and differential. The interior was restored with correct materials and patterns. The body was sprayed a rich red-burgundy color and detailed with a golden pinstripe which blends well with the tan top and interior. Rated at 150 HP, the inline 8-cylinder engine is No. 757663 and displaces 384 CI; 1936 marked the final year for this engine. A 3-speed manual transmission with a floor-mounted shifter feeds power to the rear wheels and 4-wheel drum brakes with vacuum assist help ease the 139-inch wheelbase car down from speed. Highly optioned, the car is equipped with dual side-mount spares with metal cases and accessory mirrors atop, chrome wire wheels, wide whitewall tires, the Goddess of Speed mascot, twin spotlights, a luggage rack and, of course, dual cowls. Formerly owned by collectors Dave Kane and Tom Crook, professional golfer Gene Littler was also once a caretaker of this Phaeton.

Other vehicles being offered include:

1940 Cadillac Series 75 Town Car
1932 Packard Eight 902
1940 Packard Super Eight Convertible Sedan
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Convertible

For more details on the Academy of Art Collection visit Mecum Auctions

Tags
Brand (Duesenberg)Brand (Mercedes-Benz)Brand (Packard)The Market (Auctions & Market)The Market (Auctions)Vendor (Mecum Auctions)

Get Our Free Weekly Newsletter

We bring you all the latest from the world of vintage and classic cars each week. News, auctions, events, vintage racing and more.

VR Staff
Casey M. Annis is the Founder and Editor of Vintage Road & Racecar magazine, as well as Editor of Alfa Owner, The Oily Rag and BMW Ultimate Classic magazines. He founded Parabolica Publishing in 1997 after a career in neurobiology. Along with his passion for automobiles, Casey is a long distance open-ocean paddleboard racer who’s competed over 10 times in the 32-mile Catalina to Manhattan Beach race and the 32-mile Molokai to Oahu race. Casey still contributes and writes about the world of vintage road and racecars and edits and curates the content for this website.
Related

KAMManufaktur to display latest 912c

Marketplace: 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL “Gullwing”

Lamborghinis on Lake Como

Gordon Murray Group Receives King’s Award

Cavallino Classic Modena 2025

2025 Hagerty Hill Climb at Shelsley Walsh

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

  • Free Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Paid Subscription
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • News
  • Cars For Sale
  • Special Feature
  • The Cars
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Meet the Team
Copyright © 2025 A07 Online Media
  • News
  • Features
    • Special Features
    • Moss Special
    • Photography
    • Featured Editorials
    • Racecar Features
    • Roadcar Features
  • Race
    • Racecar Mag.
      • News
      • Features
      • Profile
      • Interview
      • Racecar Gallery
    • Columns
      • First Turn
      • Fast Lines
      • Fabulous Fifties
      • Heroes
      • Legends Speak
      • Stirling Speaks
      • Greatest Racecars
      • Last Lap
    • Profiles
      • Grand Prix History
      • Can-Am Racing
      • Grand Prix Cars
      • Mille Miglia
      • Race Profiles
      • Racecar Profiles
      • Driver Profiles
    • More
      • Art History
      • Fast Exposure
      • Hidden Treasure
      • Hot Laps
      • Time Capsule
      • Market Guide
      • The Golden Age
      • Hard Drive
  • Road
    • Roadcar Mag.
      • News
      • Features
      • Profile
      • Interview
    • Columns
      • From The Editor
      • By Design
      • Driven
      • Flashback
      • Roadcar Gallery
      • Roadcar Video
    • More
      • Roadcar Articles
      • Roadcar Features
      • Roadcar Interviews
      • Roadcar News
      • Roadcar Profiles
  • Brands
    • A to C
      • Alfa Romeo
      • Alpine
      • Auburn
      • Audi
      • Austin
      • Aston Martin
      • Bentley
      • BMW
      • Bugatti
      • Buick
      • Cadillac
      • Chevrolet
      • Chrysler
    • D to L
      • Dodge
      • Duesenberg
      • Ferrari
      • Fiat
      • Ford
      • Hispano Suiza
      • Honda
      • Koenigsegg
      • Jaguar
      • Lagonda
      • Lamborghini
      • Lancia
      • Lexus
      • Lincoln
      • Lola
      • Lotus
    • K to R
      • Maserati
      • Mazda
      • McLaren
      • Mercedes
      • MG
      • Mini
      • Mitsubishi
      • Morgan
      • Nissan
      • Packard
      • Pagani
      • Porsche
      • Renault
      • Rimac
      • Rolls-Royce
    • S to Z
      • SCG
      • Shelby
      • Spyker
      • Subaru
      • Sunbeam
      • Toyota
      • Triumph
      • Vauxhall
      • Volkswagen
      • Volvo
  • Events
  • Cars
    • Iconic Cars
    • SCD Car Profiles
    • VRR Car Profiles
    • Car Profiles
    • Garage & Collection Profiles
    • People Profiles
  • Market
    • Auctions Hub
    • Buyer Guides
    • Cars for Sale
  • For Sale
    • Cars for Sale
    • Dealer Showcase
  • Members
    • Become Member
    • Premium Content
    • Member Help
    • Free Newsletter
All Access
  • Free Newsletter
Start typing to see results or hit ESC to close
Featured (Racecar Feature) Events All The Market (Auctions & Market) The Market (Auctions) Featured (Vintage Car Racing)
See all results

Get Our Free Weekly Newsletter

We bring you all the latest from the world of vintage and classic cars each week. News, auctions, events, vintage racing and more.