Mercedes-Benz 170 S (W136)
Year of manufacture: 1950
Power: 45 hp
Displacement: 1,767 cm3
Number of cylinders/valves: 4/2
Weight: 1,185 kg
Condition: restored
Catalogue number: 223
The Mercedes-Benz 170 V was first introduced on February 15, 1936, at the Berlin Motor Show. It was the W136 model, which almost immediately became the standard for a modern European car at the end of the pre-war years. Although it was the smallest car of Daimler-Benz A.G., with its 1.7-liter engine and spacious interior for its time, it also ranked among the “better” mid-range cars. By 1942, this model was the best-selling, with over 75,000 units sold. Its direct predecessor was the Mercedes-Benz 170 type W15, produced between 1931 and 1935. It had an engine of the same displacement, even a six-cylinder, but with six horsepower less.
Both two- and four-door sedans, cabriolets, two-seat roadsters, as well as modified utility versions such as ambulances or cars for the police, mountain rescue, and military were produced. For military use, Mercedes-Benz manufactured over 19,000 units with the “Kübelwagen” body type.
The vehicle’s body was very advanced—fully metal. Unlike previous practice, no wooden frames covered with sheet metal were used. The engine was front-mounted, and the rear-wheel drive was powered by a driveshaft. It used an inline four-cylinder with SV valve timing, a displacement of 1,697 cm³, bore of 73.5 mm, and stroke of 100 mm. The manufacturer specified a compression ratio of 6.5. The engine was equipped with a Solex carburetor. During and after the war, some cars were converted to run on generator wood gas. However, this reduced engine power and caused various operational issues.
The Mercedes-Benz 170 V was gradually improved and enhanced. After the war, this model became the core offering of Mercedes, mainly in the sedan version.
From May 1949, a diesel engine with 38 horsepower was even used. The car reached a top speed of 116 km/h.
In 1949, at the Hannover Fair, the 170 S model was presented for the first time. The engine had a larger displacement and increased power to 52 hp, and it mainly received better equipment in the passenger compartment. Cabriolets of types A and B were produced from 1949 to 1951, and the sedan until 1955. Especially the cabriolet A was considered a luxury car and became somewhat a predecessor of today’s S-Class.
The car from our collection is a type B cabriolet, fully restored and operational, and can be seen every year at the Bugatti GP during the Barum rally in Zlín.
