The Mercedes-Benz 540K cabriolet is an absolute rarity, with fewer than 200 manufactured before 1939. Now, one of the huge, eight-cylinder convertibles has turned up in the US state of North Carolina. "The car is worth several million dollars," says David Rathbun, one of its current owners. The steep price is not only due to its rare status, though. It also allegedly has a unique historical background -- the owners believe that during World War II, the convertible belonged to Hermann Göring, one of the leading members of the Nazi party.
Göring was the commander-in-chief of WWII Germany's Luftwaffe, or air force. He was also responsible for the construction of several concentration camps. According to its owners, Göring used the vehicle during Nazi parades, which is why the car has several special features: not only is its back seat longer than usual, the car also has a small platform on the passenger side, where Göring was able to stand during rallies.
Read Full Article »