The Mercedes-Benz 500K is vintage car royalty: a sublimely engineered masterpiece launched in 1934, the ‘K’ standing for kompressor (supercharger), and the sumptuous bodywork and fancy appointments appealing to wealthy consumers who were after the very best of the best.

Of course, we can’t all stretch to the £5m+ that a 500K would set you back these days, and they’ve remained valuable and sought-after machines throughout their storied history… so much so that a number of companies have set themselves up to build replicas in loving tribute to this great and legendary model.

Excalibur is probably the best known, operating out of Wisconsin from the early-1960s to the late-’80s, but there were others – and the car we have here is, among aficionados of such things, an example of one of the more revered and high-end iterations: rebuilt by Thoroughbred Motor Coach of Florida, these 554K models reputedly cost over $100,000 to build and they have quite a following.

The build plaque on the bulkhead tells us that this car was assembled in January 1987, running a Ford 302ci V8 along with a C4 automatic transmission. Which means that as well as being a genuine head-turner on the street, it also has tough and robust running gear which provides ample performance while being simple and affordable to maintain. The complete classic car package? Well, you’re unlikely to see another one at your local cars-and-coffee meet…

 

Given that the Mercedes it is built in tribute to is a paragon of luxury, Thoroughbred’s 544K is of course also focused on a luxurious driving experience. Equipped with air-conditioning and power steering, it has a tastefully trimmed cabin in soft leather with a custom wood dash fitted with retro-style dials, plus a JVC head unit.

Rear passengers can be protected from the elements with a removable half hard-top, and the timeless 500K body lines have been reimagined by Thoroughbred to imbue a little more practicality; rather than the rear sweeping down in a boat-tail effect, the 544K has a Rolls-Royce-style bustle back to incorporate a decent-sized boot, making this a cruiser as practical as it is stylish.
 
The details are very impressive, from the curvaceous chrome side trims to the oversize headlights and chromed horns. The car wears a set of pretty wire wheels with matching whitewall tyres (and yes, there are six of them) and, as a nod to the muscle car engine under that lengthy hood, the steering wheel is a small-diameter item in the hot rod style, complete with V8 logo.
 

Simplicity is the watchword here; the 1980s American mechanicals are strong and tough, providing entertaining performance with pleasing reliability. The 302ci Ford small-block V8 was a ubiquitous unit found in many models over the years, most notably the Fox-body Mustang; generally referred to as a 5.0 (or, if you’re Vanilla Ice, a five-point-oh), it’s actually a 4.9-litre unit which, with a standard two-barrel carb, should be good for 220bhp or thereabouts. The C4 automatic transmission is Ford’s medium-duty three-speed unit, usually packaged with this engine by Ford themselves so you know it’s well suited to this application.

In this car, it’s as dependable as you’d expect: it fires easily on the first twist of the key, settles into an even idle with that characteristic V8 rumble, and pulls keenly through the gears. The car rides well on its suspension, the brakes feel strong enough to cope, and it all adds up to a very pleasant waft with just a hint of muscle car tonality to underpin it all.

BEFORE YOU BUY 

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following: 

✓ The seller of this vehicle is registered as a business seller. And you are covered by Car & Classic’s Terms and Conditions. 

✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted. Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates. 

✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind. 

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