A Jewel Reborn: The Mercedes-Benz 540K of Jawhar
For nearly four decades, a Mercedes-Benz 540K, one of only two extant in India, remained hidden behind the locked doors of a standalone garage in one corner of a palace complex. Built in 1936, chassis #130908 had long been a secret gem, quietly aging away from the public eye, until 2023, when Chamundeshwari and Brijesh Chinai, heirs of the legendary collector Pranlal Bhogilal, began the ambitious task of restoring their historic collection. Among the vehicles awaiting revival, this 540K was perhaps the most eagerly anticipated, a car whose return Indian enthusiasts had long awaited.
Chassis #130908 is believed to be among the earliest 540Ks produced and was likely imported into India by Daimler-Benz’s distributor, Dadajee, Dhackjee & Co., in Bombay (now Mumbai). While British India had a clear preference for English marques such as Rolls-Royce and Bentley, a few discerning Indian princes were drawn to speed and performance, which explains how more than half a dozen Mercedes-Benz S, SS, and SSK models found their way to the subcontinent.
Although the S and SS had enjoyed racing successes and boasted aggressive aesthetics, Daimler-Benz understood that their wealthier clients, Indian princes included, preferred luxury and comfort over track performance. This prompted chief engineer Hans Nibel to develop a new generation of supercharged vehicles: cars that combined opulent travel with formidable performance. The 380K (W22) debuted in 1933 but proved underpowered, replaced a year later by the more potent 500K (W29), with its majestic over-one-metre-long inline-eight engine.
The Mercedes-Benz 540K was the natural evolution of the 500K, unveiled at the Paris Salon of 1936. Its 5.4-litre supercharged engine produced 180bhp at 3400rpm, achieving a top speed of 170 km/h, a remarkable feat for the era, particularly given the comfort and security Mercedes-Benz clients expected. Available in multiple body styles – roadster, tourer, coupe, and convertible – the 540K symbolized the golden age of classic cars in its most prestigious form. With just over 400 units built between 1936 and 1939, it remains a rare and coveted masterpiece.
In India, two 540Ks survive: chassis #130902 and #130908. The latter was reportedly acquired by Yashwantrao Martandrao Mukne, the young Maharaja of Jawhar, in 1938. At the time, the state was administered by his mother, Rajmata Saguna Bai Mukne, acting as regent. Despite ruling a small princely state, Yashwantrao had a taste for fast, expensive cars. The 540K spent most of its time in Bombay, stored in the basement of the Sterling Apartments, the Maharaja’s pied-à-terre.
Pranlal Bhogilal managed to convince the Maharaja to part with the car in 1976, when it was picked up by the collector. The car then had a Perkins P6 diesel engine installed, but the original engine was also lying around, and it was picked up and put back in. Despite this, the gearbox proved troublesome and refused to shift, and the 540K remained garaged and hidden for more than four decades.
After Pranlal Bhogilal’s passing in 2011, Chamundeshwari and Brijesh Chinai took a hands-on approach to revitalizing the collection. The Mercedes-Benz 540K was entrusted to renowned Indian restorer Marespand Dadachandji, with technical assistance from Darayush Netarwala. Over the course of a year, the car underwent a comprehensive restoration, returning it to its original glory.
Now, the 1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K #130908 is ready to shine once more, set to make its triumphant debut in Europe at Salon Retromobile – an icon of pre-war automotive engineering, reborn for a new generation to marvel at. The car can be seen at the FIVA Stand (A-085), Hall 7.2, Porte de Versailles, Paris, during Salon Rétromobile.
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