1935 Mercedes-Benz 290 Cabriolet

Barn-Find 1935 Mercedes-Benz 290 Cabriolet A with Coachwork by Sindelfingen    

The charming 'Barn-find' Mercedes-Benz 290 offered here features the desirable and sporting Cabriolet A coachwork by Sindelfingen, and the beautifully flowing body design fitted on the short wheelbase Type 290 chassis gives it a dramatic and elegant look. Made to order in 1935 and believed to have been delivered to Burgundy, France, this Cabriolet A has a very interesting provenance. Originally ordered by a winemaker in a dark red color, it ended up at a dispersal sale in Marseilles after the war. In 1957, an American working in France purchased it from a mechanic in Arles for about 200 dollars. The mechanic told him that it came with a box full of German banners, flags, and flag mounts, but the box was still in Marseilles. The American drove the car up a bustling street to the address given to him by the mechanic, but by the time he had turned around to park, the street was suddenly and mysteriously dead, devoid of people. His knocking went unanswered for some time, and he thought it best to leave the strong emotions apparently elicited by this vehicle in Marseilles. He drove the car to Switzerland, around Paris, and eventually to Frankfurt, where he had it serviced and inspected by Mercedes-Benz engineers. He later imported the car to New York, driving it successfully during its long journey to Baltimore, MD. This elegant Mercedes-Benz 290 Cabriolet A has been preserved in largely original condition and is an impressive example of pre-war Mercedes-Benz sporting luxury. The car appears largely complete, with many parts packed into the cabin. The bodywork is tied to the chassis for shipping purposes and might have been off the chassis at some point. The Cabriolet A was the most sporting and remains the most desirable model to this day, featuring light and elegant two-seat, Roadster-like bodywork. These rare and beautiful Sindelfingen Cabriolet A's are highly sought after on the international collector car market, and this example offers the perfect starting point for a Concours level restoration back to its former glory.