Man finds Nazi car in US - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

sixto · #16 07-15-2012, 12:01 AM

They might have to watch what they say lest they unwittingly glorify that chapter of history. I wonder if by German law they'd have to mask the swastika on the VIN plate if the car was repatriated.

Sixto
87 300D^2

t walgamuth · #17 07-15-2012, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

No he owned at least one car. Hitler was a Mercedes enthusiast but could never afford one, the sale of his book enabled him to buy his first car which was a Mercedes. After that other than gifts I don't think he really owned a car.

I bet his Mercedes was in Munich at the end at his apartment.

I don't know how many of the records from the early 30's survive, but I bet somewhere deep in MB's vaults is the vin number of the car that he bought when he was a best selling author and the 30's equivalent of a talking head.

Interesting observation and thought!

daveuz · #18 07-15-2012, 12:37 PM

Horch Five of these cars were built, three of which are known to survive today. The first example was built for Nazi Herman Goering; it was the only one built to bulletproof standards. At the same time, Mercedes-Benz was building a 540K Special Roadster for Goering. When both cars were completed, Goering chose the Mercedes-Benz, primarily because it featured bulletproof doors and door glass, while the Horch featured only a bulletproof windshield. This first Horch 853 Special Roadster was ordered to be dismantled, although parts of the car were used in the subsequent four Special Roadsters.......

daveuz · #19 07-15-2012, 12:39 PM

very interesting story and photos: http://www.rmautorestoration.com/restoration/?carID=37
The Cassini car’s prewar history remains unknown, but it was imported to the U.S. in the late 1940s by a returning serviceman who subsequently opened a filling station in the Cleveland, Ohio area. He began to partly disassemble the car with the intention of restoring it, but never completed the project.

In 1969 or early 1970, collector Herbert Von Fragstein was searching for a Horch Special Roadster, and learned of this car. He visited the owner, but was unable to persuade him to part with the car. He never forgot the car, and called or wrote every few months in an attempt to buy the car. Finally, in 1973, he was successful.

Mark DiSilvestro · #20 07-15-2012, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

I'm sure the research has been done, and I think Hitler like a lot of MB owners was reluctant to part with his first one. I bet it was at his flat in Munich at the end.

MB doesn't like to talk about this part of their history but they should, history should not be forgotten.

Several yers ago, somewhere on the net (possibly on one of these forums) I found a picture, allegedly of a Mercedes wartime advertisement that featured tanks and planes, with a couple of Mercedes staff-cars in the foreground. Someplace I have a copy I printed.
I used to wonder if it was a hoax or real.
If real, I'm sure Mercedes would rather forget about it!
Happy Motoring, Mark