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Nextissu
Bizzarrini 5300 GT
Special K
In1937a540KSpecial
Roadster cost US$14,0
Cadillac’s flagship V16 w
US$9230;aFordFordo
sedan was US$640.Idtil
Straight torque
The straight-eight, OHV, twin-
carburetted 540K displaced
5401cc, with a Roots-type
supercharger engaged
mechanically via the throttle
pedal, its 0.5-bar delivering
an additional 50kW, for
peaks of 135kW and 431Nm
plus a 180km/h top speed.
Transmission was a four-speed
manual; an optional overdrive
fifth came later.Art in residence
540K Roadster #154140 lived
in Sydney for a number of years
in the 1980s-90s, owned by
businessman and car collector
Kerry Manolas.Silver screened
Other celebrity 540K roadster
owners included Jack Warner
(Warner Brothers), actor Clark
Gable (right) and Baroness
Gisela von Krieger of Prussia.Flash dash
A roadster measuring more than 5.3m in overall
length suggests a dedication to spoiling its two
occupants, and the 540Ks thus bodied didn’t
disappoint. Amid a sea of incredibly plush leather
was the instrument panel backed in real mother-
of-pearl, with ivory control knobs and instrument
dials and lashings of deep chrome-plated steel.
The white Bakelite-rimmed steering wheel even
has a spark-advance lever in its hub.Chassis works
The ladder-type steel chassis
waspennedbyMercmotorsport
engineer Hans Gustav Röhr
and used weight-saving oval-
section tubing. The 3250mm
wheelbase aided ride quality,
as did all-independent coil-
spring suspension, via parallel
wishbones up front and
rear swing-axles, tamed by
camber-compensator springs.
Hydraulically assisted drums
helped haul up the 2700kg hulk.0 00;
was
orChassis works
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