historical Nazi Luftwaffe FM Stalingrad staff car surfaces, ebay - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Jim B. · #1 05-08-2006, 06:27 PM

Saw it on ebay in March, described as 1941 E 320 cabrio, original car, was the staff car of Lt. General Martin Fiebig, in charge of failed Luftwaffe parachute relief attempt to 6th Army of Gen. Paulus, car was abandoned at end of 1942 in the confusion surrounding the collapse and dispersal of the 6th Army at end of 1942. Gen Paulus surrendered at end of Jan. 1943.

The car: bj. 1941, metal build plate affixed "to the body sturdiness" affirming build date, with the Nazi Adler "eagle" affixed to the car remains. Car unrestored original, but declared war booty, of Soviets, used by farmer after converted to run on Russian gas, covered 535,000 kms, (about 280,000 miles or so), still runs, today, on death of farmer car then later exported to USA through Czecho, about 1994.

Up on ebay, March 2006, with 3-feedback seller, opening bids at 139,000 US dollars, ZERO BIDS on it, car stated located in Virginia

Car reappers, on ebay.de, stated to be in the Fatherland again, this time frenzied bidding, into the six figures, of Euros.

Lt. General Martin Fiebig was handed over to the Yugoslavian Govt. in 1947, tried and executed for involvement in the Carpet Bombing of Belgrade by the Luftwaffe in May 1941, when that country was conquered by the Nazis.

This thread is USELESS without pictures, will look for one, or ebay # at least.

A piece of history. Car has a real "trunk", its a cabrio, the Reich number plate still is on the car.

Google Martin Fiebig, battle of Stalingrad, marcus wendel, etc.

Jim

Jim B. · #2 05-09-2006, 12:51 AM

was

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Old World Auto · #3 05-09-2006, 10:01 AM

That is a very rare car. Rarer than most realize. That is a pullman-limousine cabriolet. The 7 seater variant. I had a customer with a Cab F (like this one) and a 320L pullman-limousine sedan with sliding roof (in near concours condition). It is rumored that less than 5 Cab Fs are known to exist and less than 20 320L sedans are still around as of 2004. The smaller sedans and Cab B cars are considerably more prevelant. The Cab A, is a very rare number and highly desired. However, as more are being found behind the old iron curtain, these numbers are growing. When working on one of these cars, the quality of craftsmanship is spectacular. It makes a w111 coupe/carbiolet look like a w123. Driving these beasts is a great experience. I had the oportunity to drive the 320L on I75 at highway speeds (above 65 mph). The car was steady, still had more to give, and drive better than one would think for a car of that era. Around town, it is quite a truck, but the view from the driver's seat is beyond words. These big beasts even have good stopping ability. The synchronized gearbox makes shifting a charm. All in all a real joy. The only draw back in the sedan was the amount of heat the engine displaces into the driver's cabin in summer. But the tilt-out windshild takes care of that at speed.

That EBay car will likely wind up back in the home country. Both 320s I had in service were purchased by German collectors. I miss having the opportunity to play with those cars.

The 320s are imho, the most undervalued war era cars at this time. It is only a matter of time until they command high permiums.

Pictures of the 320L sedan can be viewed on my website.

Jim B. · #4 05-09-2006, 12:31 PM

I knew there was something special about that car,
but the US bidders evidently didn't - and you sure do.

Even after all these years it looks great - with those big windows and the top down looks like a parade vehicle.

When I found it on ebay Germany the bidding was spirited, so it seems that the car is going to be tidied up and will find a loving home, in a German collectors collection, or a museum.

Thanks for the info. Somehow I *knew* somebody here would recognize the car . Since US auction ended 3/19, only the picture on the first page survived.

Will check out your website.

Jim

Cheers,
Jim

Old World Auto · #5 05-09-2006, 01:48 PM

The pictures of the 320 Cab F really do not do it justice. That car has such a commanding presence. The vehicle is quite large in real life. When running, the motor is near silent. For such a large car with a lowly 3.4L I6 (3.2 for 1937, 3.4 for '38 and up) one would think it to be slow, but it is rather spritely to drive for the girth. The rear suspension has 4 coil springs per wheel. The ride is quite plush for the era.

In Germany, with the strong Euro, cars like this are being bought up feverently. Most of the very nice vintage examples are being brought back "home" to the old country where these cars were forgotten for many years. As the newer models just do not compare to the older ones the demand is incresing for the older hand built classics.

At $139k that 320 Cab F was a worthwhile purchase. I expect within five years that car will bring in double if not triple the auction price. Also, it is a true war car with provenance. The vin tag on the firewall eliminates any doubt about this as it has the wehrmacht sign on it.

I would love to have the opportunity to perform a complete mechanical restoration on that machine. Good luck finding parts though. They are far and few in between.