WORLDS MOST SOUGHT AFTER COLLECTOR CARS TO CROSS THE BLOCK AT RM AUCTIONS ANNUAL MONTEREY SPORTS AND CLASSIC CAR AUCTION

1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Sport Cabriolet Highlights Monterey Auction Event, August 15 --16, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:   Jake Jundef/Soon Nguyen
   JMPR 818/992-4353

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (PRWEB) April 22, 2003 --RM Auctions Monterey Sports and Collector Car Auction, known internationally for auctioning the most sought after collector cars in the world, will once again take place at the Doubletree Hotel in Monterey, CA on August 15-16, 2003.

This years collection will include a wide variety of almost two hundred collector cars of every type, including sports, racing, classic and muscle cars. On offer will be wonderful examples by a vast array of manufacturers including Ferrari, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Bugatti, Bentley, Chrysler, Chevrolet and Shelby. The sale is highlighted by a 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Sport Cabriolet, which is sure to impress even the most seasoned collector.

Of all the auctions held last year surrounding the Pebble Beach weekend, RM was the most successful, topping $20 million in sales. The highlight was the sale of the one-of-a-kind Ferrari 330 TRI/LM Testa Rosa that was driven to victory by American Phil Hill and Belgian Olivier Gendebien at Le Mans in 1961. This important example was sold for $6.5 million and stands as the highest price garnered for a Ferrari at public auction in more than a decade.

This particular 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Sport Cabriolet is an award-winning, spectacular and authentic 540K Mercedes-Benz which represents the pinnacle of the coachbuilding art and design from the classic era. The astonishingly long hood, V-windscreen, and chrome ornamentation make this unique Sport Cabriolet one of the most impressive Mercedes of the prewar era. The original coachwork was designed by Erdmann and Rossi.

"Last years auction truly was an enthusiasts dream with classics and sports cars for anyones taste," says Rob Myers, owner of RM Auctions. "This years event is shaping up to be one of the most prestigious car auction and auto event in the world."

The 540K Sport Cabriolet Mercedes has a number of special features unique to this car, such as the specially lengthened hood with cooling doors, a unique hinged V-windshield, and twin mounted rear spares. The longer wheelbase allowed the hood to be extended, and this -- combined with the raked V-shaped radiator and external exhaust pipes -- gave the car an undeniable visual presence. Long sweeping fenders, gently skirted, added to the visual length of the car, while chrome accents highlighted the lines and added a sparkling elegance. It is powered by a 115/180bhp, 5,401cc. supercharged overhead valve inline eight-cylinder engine with a four-speed manual transmission.

The RM Monterey Sports and Collector Car Auction will be held at the Doubletree Hotel, Fishermans Wharf Monterey located at 2 Portola Plaza. The vehicles will be previewed from Thursday thru Saturday (August 14-16) from 9 a.m. -- 6 p.m. The auction will take place on Friday (August 15) and Saturday (August 16) from 6 p.m. -- Midnight. Admission prices are $50 per catalog and admits two, kids 12 and under are free. For further information please contact RM Auctions at (310) 246-9880 or visit their website at www.rmauctions.com.

RM Auctions, Inc., is the leader in the North American investment-grade collector car auction market. From a standing start in 1991, the company has amassed an enviable roster of the most prestigious venues in North America and collectors have rewarded the companys efforts to provide some of the most prestigious, highest quality vehicles as worldwide. RM Group's sales have grown steadily each year and is anticipated at more than $100 million for 2003. For additional information on RM Auctions, Inc., please call (800) 211-4371 or visit the company web site at www.rmauctions.com.