Models of Yesteryear Y-20/1; 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540k

Box notes: "This sleek and racy looking sports car with an 8 cylinder engine of 5.4 litres developed 180 BHP when the supercharger was engaged giving a speed in excess of 100 mph. It had all independent suspension. Wheelbase 11’ 2" Tracking 5’ 1½""

Think back to the dynamic sports cars of the early thirties and you’re likely to conjure up an image of elegant roadsters or convertibles with bonnets stretching into the distance; plus powerful six or eight-cylinder engines eating up the miles. Enter the Mercedes-Benz 540 K at the Paris Motor Show of 1936: at last, the icing on the cake for the golden era of pre-War supercharged Mercedes-Benz sports cars. The new 5.4-litre 540 K took the market by force, helped by the range of flamboyant body styles (though considered by some to be vulgar!).

The Matchbox Models of Yesteryear Merc 540K was produced from 1981 to 1995, it is a super-stylish model with an opening dickey seat. Colours are all black, black/silver, red, silver/black and white with a red stripe. There are no rare or sought after versions, all are of fairly modest value.