1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Wins Best in Show at La Jolla Concours 2026

The La Jolla Concours d’Elegance concluded its 20th anniversary weekend on Sunday, April 26, welcoming thousands of collectors and enthusiasts to La Jolla’s coastline for the three-day event, celebrating this year’s theme, “Icons of Speed: Historically Significant Super Cars.” The Best in Show honor was awarded to the 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster from The Lyon Collection.

Introduced at the 1936 Paris Salon, the 540K represented the pinnacle of pre-war luxury motoring. Powered by a 5.4-liter supercharged inline-eight, it produced up to 180 horsepower—enough to exceed 100 mph, a remarkable feat for its time. Fully independent suspension, hydraulic brakes, and a 4-speed gearbox placed it among the most advanced grand touring cars of its era.

It was the coachwork, however, that set the Special Roadster apart, event officials stated in a press release. Built by the factory’s own carrosserie at Sindelfingen, the Spezial-Roadster body featured long sweeping fenders, a raked vee’d windshield, low-cut doors with disappearing windows, and a concealed top stowed flush behind the cockpit. Fewer than 26 examples were produced before the war, reserved for an elite international clientele.

The Lyon Collection, assembled by the late Major General William Lyon and continued by his family, is among the most significant private collections of pre-war automobiles in the American West. Its 540K’s recognition at La Jolla honors both the car’s engineering legacy and the careful stewardship that has preserved it into its 10th decade.

“The ‘Icons of Speed’ theme delivered one of the most extraordinary fields we’ve ever seen, from pre-war masterpieces like the Lyon Collection’s 540K to modern hypercars like the Pagani Zonda Revolucion,” said Chris Peterson, co-chairman of the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance. “That breadth of automotive history, set against the Pacific, is exactly why collectors from around the world make La Jolla a destination.”

Set on the lawn of Ellen Browning Scripps Park overlooking the Pacific, Sunday’s grand concours featured 116 meticulously presented automobiles spanning 15 classes and 14 specialty awards. This year’s theme examined the evolution of automotive performance through historically significant supercars and engineering milestones.

“The La Jolla Concours has always been about more than cars; it’s a celebration that belongs to the entire La Jolla village,” said Mike Herman, co-chairman of the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance. “What makes me especially proud is our partnership with the San Diego Automotive Museum. Their involvement goes far beyond sponsorship; they bring our youth judges and help cultivate the next generation of automotive enthusiasts right here in San Diego. Seeing young people on that field, engaged and passionate about automotive history, is exactly the kind of community impact this event was built for.”

“This 20th anniversary Concours captures everything we’ve been building toward over the past two decades,” said Michael Dorvillier, honorary chairman of the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance. “We’ve grown from a local gathering into an internationally respected concours, with a continued focus on not only presenting historically significant automobiles at the highest level but delivering an entire weekend of events that embody the feeling of La Jolla.”

2026 La Jolla Concours d’Elegance Specialty Award Winners

Best in Show
William Lyon, 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster

Mayor’s Award
Robert Escalante, 1947 Packard 2126 Super Clipper 7 Passenger Sedan

Outstanding Pre-War
Valerie & Aaron Weiss, 1933 Marmon V16 2 Door Convertible Coupe

Outstanding Post-War
Jonathan & Wendy Segal, 1955 Maserati A6GCS/53 Spyder

 

Spirit of the Concours Award – In Honor of Mark Lemieux, Taylor Kahle and Dr. Cy Conrad
Harry Rieger, 1963 Corvette Sting Ray

Aubrey Taylor Award of Excellence for Best Upholstery
Speed Legend Garage LLC, 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL

Phillip Wichard Trophy for Excellence in Design
Petersen Museum, 1938/1947 Delahaye Type 145 Chapron Coupe

Chief Judge Award
Timothy Hoxie, 1964 Maserati Mistral

Chuck Spielman Preservation Award
Coit Collection, 1989 Porsche Speedster

San Diego Automotive Museum Award
Rick Harbus, 1980 Renault 5 Turbo Series 1

Co-Chairman’s Award
James Schultz, 1931 Chrysler Imperial Waterhouse Victoria Disappearing Top Convert

Best of Marque Award
Dieter-Heinz Kijora, 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL

Timeless Elegance Award – Presented by CJ Charles/OMEGA
Ricard da Rosa, 1936 Packard 1407

Automotive Legacy in Motion Award
Petersen Museum, 1967 Ford GT40 MKIII

2026 La Jolla Concours d’Elegance Class Winners by Category

Pre-War American – Open: 1925–1939

• 1st: Valerie & Aaron Weiss, 1933 Marmon V16 2 Door Convertible Coupe
• 2nd: Scott Tepper, 1926 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost (Springfield) Playboy Roadster Deluxe
• 3rd: James Schultz, 1931 Chrysler Imperial Waterhouse Victoria Disappearing Top Convert

Pre-War American – Closed: 1925–1939

• 1st: The Nethercutt Collection, 1930 Packard 734 Speedster Victoria
• 2nd: Kyle Haldi, 1935 Packard 1203 Sedan
• 3rd: George Johnson, 1929 Packard 626 Sedan

Pre-War European: 1925–1939

• 1st: William Lyon, 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster
• 2nd: Donald Becker, 1938 BMW 327 Cabriolet
• 3rd: Terry Lunceford, 1931 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Barker Sedanca

Post-War American: 1947–1967

• 1st: Bruce Spangrud, 1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible
• 2nd: Archie Kuehn, 1960 Plymouth Fury 2 Door Hardtop
• 3rd: Howard Leight, 1955 Lincoln Capri 2 Door Convertible

Icons of Speed: 1935–2006

• 1st: Charles Wegner, 1959 Ferrari 250 LWB Competition TDF
• 2nd: Bill Ceno, 1990 Ferrari F40
• 3rd: Ernest & Elaine Nagamatsu, 1959 Buick Special “Old Yeller II” Roadster

European Suit With American Heart: 1950–1969

• 1st: Michael & Sally Kerns, 1967 Bizzarrini 5300 Strada
• 2nd: Randy & Sharon Simon, 1967 Iso Grifo Coupe
• 3rd: Jeff Phillips, 1967 Chrysler Ghia 450SS Convertible

Post-War European – Open: 1946–1973

• 1st: Jonathan & Wendy Segal, 1955 Maserati A6GCS/53 Spyder
• 2nd: Phil White, 1955 Moretti 1200 Sport
• 3rd: Coit Collection, 1946 MG TC Convertible

Post-War European – Closed: 1946–1973

• 1st: John Clark, 1965 Maserati Sebring SII
• 2nd: Jim Gianopulos, 1964 Lamborghini 350 GT
• 3rd: Max Reyhani, 1974 Lancia Stratos

Production Built Turbocharged: 1962–1996

• 1st: Chandler Knapp, 1962 Oldsmobile F85 Jetfire
• 2nd: Gregory Oakley, 1962 Oldsmobile Jetfire Hardtop
• 3rd: Skip Motsenbocker, 1974 BMW 2002 Turbo

Jaguar: 1948–1974

• 1st: Jeremy & Laura Lee McChesney, 1955 Jaguar D-Type Roadster
• 2nd: Tom Krefetz, 1950 Jaguar XK 120 Alloy Roadster (OTS)
• 3rd: Huw Holwill, 1962 Jaguar XKE Roadster (OTS)

Rising Sun – Japanese Class: 1965–1996

• 1st: Scott King, 1991 Honda Beat Roadster
• 2nd: Joseph Papp, 1970 Datsun 240Z
• 3rd: Gene Ondrusek, Ph.D., 1992 Acura NSX

Mercedes-Benz SL: 1954–1972

• 1st: Speed Legend Garage LLC, 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupe
• 2nd: Marcel Stillekens, 1962 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
• 3rd: Eric Blumencranz, 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Roadster

VW Type 2 Bus: 1950–1967

• 1st: Ray Thom, 1966 VW Type 2 Bus
• 2nd: John Hass, 1958 Volkswagen Binz Double Cab

Porsche Air Cooled: 1955–1996

• 1st: Tom Frick, 1995 Porsche Carrera RS Clubsport
• 2nd: Coit Collection, 1989 Porsche Speedster
• 3rd: Frank Darmiento, 1956 Porsche 356 Super Sunroof Coupe

American Muscle: 1953–1982

• 1st: Harmon Anderson II, 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
• 2nd: Joseph Cialeo, 1967 Camaro SS Pace Car Convertible
• 3rd: Dennis & Vicki Murfin, 1967 Shelby GT350 Fastback

Hypercar

• 1st: Fastrrr Collection, 2014 Pagani Zonda Revolucion
• 2nd: Ancillary Studios Collection, 2018 Koenigsegg Agera RS “Ruthie”
• 3rd: Fastrrr Collection, 2008 Gumpert Apollo

Ferrari – Prancing Horse: 1948–1992

• 1st: Bill Ceno, 1995 Ferrari F50 Berlinetta and Spider
• 2nd: Kevork Hashas, 1983 Ferrari 512 BBi
• 3rd: B Lilly, 1970 Ferrari Dino 246 GT L

The full list of winners can be found at lajollaconcours.com. The 21st Annual La Jolla Concours d’Elegance will return April 23–25, 2027.