5. Mercedes 540 K Autobahn Kurier
In the late ’30s, Mercedes was producing top-of-the-line models for the world’s most sophisticated buyers with its 500 and 540 model lineups. Those were big, heavy cars powered by a straight-eight engine with a supercharger that delivered over 160 HP. And in those days, that was an enormous number. Most 500 and 540 K cars were elegant roadsters or coupes, but just a handful was fantastic Autobahn Kurier models.
Those cars had a closed streamlined body, which was somewhat aerodynamically efficient. In fact, they designed it to cruise at high speeds on newly constructed German highways like the Autobahn. In addition, they painted every Kurier in black. And with the long hood and swooping rear end, those Autobahn Kuriers were the original German Batmobiles.