Strange Little Benz Rag Top

[Xlimodriver]

1936 Mercedes-Benz 170 H Cabriolet Saloon
38 bhp, 1,697 cc water-cooled flathead four-cylinder engine, four-speed manual transmission, transverse leaf-spring front suspension, coil-spring rear suspension, and four-wheel drum brakes. Wheelbase: 2,600 mm

The streamlined 170 H “people’s Mercedes-Benz” was offered in several variations, amongst them an attractive cabriolet saloon that offered the opportunity for open-air fun or closed comfort. Sliding open what was essentially the world’s largest sunroof exposed the interior and its four passengers to sunlight and fresh air, making this one of the most interesting of the small Mercedes-Benzes offered before the war. It is amongst the most desirable 170 H variants to be found today, with examples figuring into the collections of several prominent museums worldwide.

Offered here is the rare opportunity to buy what must be one of the nicest 170 Hs in existence, an example which was delivered through the Daimler-Benz branch in Stuttgart in May 1936. Restored some time ago to an unusually high standard for this model, it is finished in medium blue with a black convertible top and light grey vinyl interior, and it is equipped with a convertible top boot, a tool kit, an amber Bosch driving light, and Bosch trafficators. Typical of Mercedes-Benz, even on a low-cost model, an astonishing amount of fine detail is found throughout, including chrome hubcaps, very comfortable seats, a 540 K-style dashboard, and a finned exhaust manifold!

Presented in very good condition, this Cabriolet Saloon would make a very fine about-town driver as-is, and it is practically guaranteed to fit in even the narrowest of parking spaces. It could also be lightly freshened and mechanically re-commissioned to become an unlikely but attractive addition to any show field. Chances are slim that the driver will meet another one coming down the A1.


More pictures V
1936 Mercedes-Benz 170 H Cabriolet Saloon | London 2013 | RM AUCTIONS

[pj67coll]

Interesting. Wonder if Porsche was the chief designer while he was still working for Benz.

- Peter.

[t walgamuth]

Originally Posted by pj67coll

Interesting. Wonder if Porsche was the chief designer while he was still working for Benz.

- Peter.

yes. I think you'll find his fingerprints on that design. Looks a lot like an air cooled vw beetle doesn't it?

[elchivito]

what does "lightly freshened" mean?
Mist it with just a bit of Febreze?

[pj67coll]

Look how much higher the rear seat is compared to the front.

- Peter.

[t walgamuth]

Originally Posted by elchivito

what does "lightly freshened" mean?
Mist it with just a bit of Febreze?

S0unds like one step more than a good detail....probably some paint touch up, a few upholstery minor fixes and a good buffing.

[kmaysob]

son of a *****, i saw something like this years ago in a junk yard years ago. never saw another one and always wondered what it was. atleast i think thats what i saw. similar shape and was in an all mercedes yard

[t walgamuth]

I've never seen or heard of one here in the us....very low production numbers.

[Xlimodriver]

Pictures of the base coupe version. More Beetle like.

[Since66]

If I recall correctly:

H = hinter = rear wheel drive

V = vorder = front wheel drive.

....or sumpin like dat.

[kmaysob]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

I've never seen or heard of one here in the us....very low production numbers.

is there a model with similar shape? there used to be an all mercedes junk yard in phx. it was called tri stat petes. the guy had some huge number of old mercedes in the yard. iirc it was close to 500. i remember seeing a model that looked kinda like this one an wishing i could take it home.
the other car i fell in love with was a 67 200 diesel

[Since66]

Originally Posted by kmaysob

is there a model with similar shape?............l

Here's the next newer. A 180H

Feuerwehr Hannover ELW 1. Mercedes Benz 180. H- 2390 . | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[Jim B.]

And grabbe dphotos of them.

A restored one at the Mercedes Benz Classic Center in Irvine (Southern California)



This one looked pretty neat (same day, same location)




And another one I saw at the Mercedes Indy shop I use, near Sacramento. That one sat there for years but I don't know where it is now or who owns it.

[panZZer]

theres a red one of these in the annual benz "reindeer" commercial, you only catch a glimpse of the chrome teardrop headlight and another of the front fender............check it out--one of the few commercials that dosent featura a zombie in it these days