The 1936 Mercedes Benz 170 V A Pre War Success That Saved Mercedes After WW2

Mercedes 170 V - The 1936 Mercedes 170V A Pre War Success That Saved Mercedes After WW2
Mercedes Benz introduced the W 136 170 V on the 15 February 1936 at the International Automobile and Motorcycle Exhibition (IAMA) in Berlin. Little did they know that they would still be making the car 19 years later. So that it would be the car that brought Mercedes-Benz back from almost ruin after WW2. The 170 V was a significant car in its own right at its introduction. It was 50 years after the invention of the motor car by Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler. The technical sophistication and attractive elegance of the body positioned Mercedes at the top of mid-sized car segment. The 170 V became a best seller, Mercedes producing 140,386 of them. There were six body variants of the car available to order at the March 1936 launch. Two and four door saloons, a cabriolet, a two door open top tourer, the Cabriolet and a two seat roadster. By May the range was expanded to include the sportier Cabriolet A. The entire range were attractively styled, especially the Cabriolet versions which have that gorgeous elegant pre war look I always admire. Launch prices were RM 2,850 (Reichsmark) for the bare chassis, a four door saloon costing RM 3,850. The two seat roadster with additional occasional seats was RM 5,500. Some RM 600 to RM 1,000 less than the earlier 170, W 15.

Mercedes Benz introduced the W 136 170 V on the 15 February 1936 at the International Automobile and Motorcycle Exhibition (IAMA) in Berlin. Little did they know that they would still be making the car 19 years later. So that it would be the car that brought Mercedes-Benz back from almost ruin after WW2.

The 170 V was a significant car in its own right at its introduction. It was 50 years after the invention of the motor car by Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler. The technical sophistication and attractive elegance of the body positioned Mercedes at the top of mid-sized car segment. The 170 V became a best seller, Mercedes producing 140,386 of them.

There were six body variants of the car available to order at the March 1936 launch. Two and four door saloons, a cabriolet, a two door open top tourer, the Cabriolet and a two seat roadster. By May the range was expanded to include the sportier Cabriolet A. The entire range were attractively styled, especially the Cabriolet versions which have that gorgeous elegant pre war look I always admire.

Launch prices were RM 2,850 (Reichsmark) for the bare chassis, a four door saloon costing RM 3,850. The two seat roadster with additional occasional seats was RM 5,500. Some RM 600 to RM 1,000 less than the earlier 170, W 15.

Production was interrupted in November 1942 with the outbreak of World War 2. But Mercedes had made 91,048 examples of the 170 V. This was the companies most successful passenger car to date.

It was after the war when conditions were very difficult in Germany that the 170 V was used to rebuild the fortunes of the Mercedes brand. It was in November 1945 that Mercedes were allowed to restart production. The 170 V based trucks, panel vans and ambulances were the first to come out of the factory, the cars following soon after in May 1946.

In July 1947 the four door 170 V rolled off the production line and formed what would become the long line of the E Class upper mid-sized segment.

Production was interrupted in November 1942 with the outbreak of World War 2. But Mercedes had made 91,048 examples of the 170 V. This was the companies most successful passenger car to date.

It was after the war when conditions were very difficult in Germany that the 170 V was used to rebuild the fortunes of the Mercedes brand. It was in November 1945 that Mercedes were allowed to restart production. The 170 V based trucks, panel vans and ambulances were the first to come out of the factory, the cars following soon after in May 1946.

In July 1947 the four door 170 V rolled off the production line and formed what would become the long line of the E Class upper mid-sized segment.

Mercedes-Benz 170 V (W 136), unveiled in February 1936 at the IAMA in Berlin

The objectives behind the new 170 V were to bring the luxury elements of the earlier six cylinder W 145 model to a cheaper four cylinder car. Also bringing the car more up to date as the W 15 was definitely by then from another era.

The modern flowing lines of the 170 V met the design brief well, moving away from older box shaped bodies. There were two 170 models launched, both with the same M 136 engine. The 170 H was the rear mounted car, whilst the V designation meant front mounted. The W 28 170 H was to replace the rear mounted 130, W 23, which had been introduced in 1934. This was an avant-garde design which didn’t capture the public’s attention who preferred the front mounted alternative.

The 170 V broke many sales records up to 1942 whilst the 170 H was discontinued in 1939 after selling only 1507 units.

Mercedes-Benz 170 V (W 136), unveiled in February 1936 at the IAMA in Berlin
Mercedes-Benz 170 V Cutaway

The chassis was an X shaped oval tube frame. The predecessor’s box frame being considered old technology. The new chassis weighed 80 Kg less but increased rigidity. The engine sitting in the front fork and the differential in the rear frame.

With the engine further ahead and lower than before it meant the cabin could be positioned between the axles. The longer wheelbase allowing for more space. It also meant that the ride could be improved as the suspension was now behind the rear passengers. The individually suspended front wheels had a transverse leaf spring with lever type dampers. The rear had a two joint swing axle. The bodies were a mixture of wooden frame and sheet metal panels. 

Mercedes-Benz 170 V (W 136) Chassis
Mercedes-Benz 170 V Cutaway
Mercedes-Benz 170 V (W 136) Front Interior Dash
Mercedes-Benz 170 V Four-Door Saloon And Optional Suitcase
Mercedes-Benz 170 V (W 136) Interior Rear

The M 136 four-cylinder engine started out as a 1.6 during development. But shortly before the start of production it was increased to 1.7 litres. I guess if it hadn’t the car would have been the 160 V. The bore and stroke were enlarged to help produce more torque. The engine with its vertical valves and updraught carburettor managed to produce 28 kW or 38 hp.

To help make the car more refined the engine was mounted on rubber bearings making it a floating assembly. The little M 136 was simple and reliable, but also smooth. Trade journal “Motor und Sport” described the driving experience in Issue 34/1936 using these words: “The engine definitely runs so quietly, and the damping of the vibrations is so effective, that you would never guess there was a four-cylinder engine under the bonnet.”

Originally the four-speed transmission only had synchro-mesh on third and fourth gears. From 1940 the gearbox was a fully synchronised.

Mercedes-Benz 170 V Cabriolet A
Mercedes-Benz 170 V Open Touring Car
After the Second World War, production restarted with the 170 V based panel vans and ambulances. The cars followed in 1946 and the important four-door came in 1947. But, by 1949 Mercedes produced 12,719 passenger cars and 382 vans. Impressive considering that the Sindelfingen plant had been heavily bombed and the financial difficulties facing the country.
Mercedes-Benz 170 V Cabriolet B

Mercedes had already introduced the first diesel powered passenger car in 1936, the W 138 260 D, W 138. So, it was inevitable that they would introduce a diesel version of the 170 V. The 170 D, W 136 I D, was first shown to the public at the Technical Export Fair in Hanover in 1949.

Mercedes also introduced the 170 S, positioned above the 170 V with its larger all steel body. The first steps towards making luxury vehicles since the war.

Mercedes finished producing the 170 V in 1953 and the larger S variant in 1955. Not bad for a 30s car and right at the end the 170 was still being made 19 years after its launch.

Mercedes-Benz 170 V Advert

The significance of the 170 V cannot be underestimated. not only did it set new standards at launch it saved Mercedes when they started making vehicles again. It was also the beginning of the E Class, probably the most successful line of upper mid-sized cars.

Thanks to Mercedes for the images.

Simon

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