Glimmering silver 1936 Mercedes-Benz
Marshfield, Mass. -It looks as if plucked out of it WAS an old, glamorous, black-and-white Hollywood film. But the gleaming, silver 1936 Mercedes-Benz convertible leather inside With the WAS network built in Marshfield Joe Johnson’s garage.
“You will not see anything like it,” I said.
That’s Because Johnson built a replica – an exact replica – of the German antique car from scratch.
With Nothing but I Took photographs and Measurements from an original roadster at a car show in Reno, Nev… Johnson, 73, set out to replicate the rare Mercedes-Benz for Himself.
I’ve always said Johnson Been A “car person.” As a kid, I had a knack for building hot rods and customizing cars.
Then, in the mid-1970s, Johnson saw a photograph of a 1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster.
“I saw it, and I Knew I Had to build one for myself,” I said. “The style, shape, and graceful, flowing lines make it a beautiful, handmade car.”
Out of the 25 original 540K roadsters, there are now only 15 in the world. In the 1930s, the car cost $ 10,500. At That Time, a Ford cost $ 600.
The rarity of the car appeals to Johnson.
“I like that it is unique, and there were not many built very,” I said.
For 20 years, Johnson Collected NECESSARY to make the parts to reproduction. I started building it 18 years ago.
Car Enthusiasts can buy parts and build it and Plans from a kit. WAS Johnson’s much more painstaking endeavor.
“This is not a kit car,” Johnson said.
I started by making a full-sized model of the car out of wood.
When meat is making the car to Actually out of metal, something as small as the chrome molding affixing to the sides of the car Took hours, Johnson said, and the front fender perfectly Placing Took a week. A minor scratch in the paint the project in September several days back.
The most frustrating part convertible roof WAS the wiring so it Worked, According To Johnson.
Everything aesthetic, from the mother-of-pearl to the rumble seat dashboard, is based on the original. Decided to put Johnson in a modern V-8 engine and brakes to make it Easier to drive, And Also added automatic windows.
What started as a hobby Turn Into a full-fledged business, Classics Revived?
“Every penny I Have That car is in,” Johnson said.
His investment paid off you.
For a little less Than a million dollars, Johnson Sold His replies to a buyer in California, owned one of eleven Who the rare originals. The most recent original roadster sold for $ 8.5 million, Johnson said.
Before I ship it out West, Johnson said he’ll take for a spin Mercedes historical around Marshfield.
Johnson is proud of have said Decades-long historical work, But Will be sending it off to relief.
“I’m going to miss it, but I’m going to build another one,” I said.
Johnson Thinks It Will only takes him one or two years to build His next car.