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1937 Mercedes-Benz 290 L

1937 Mercedes-Benz 290 L 1937 Mercedes-Benz 290 L 1937 Mercedes-Benz 290 L This Mercedes was built at the Manheim Factory near Nuremberg, Germany. All cars built in this facility were made for government or military use. This car was made for the German Ambassador to Iceland by the name of Werner Gerlach. He used this car as a spy car, for it arrived in Reykjavik, Iceland with a radio transmitter hidden behind the dashboard and a hidden antenna between the headliner in the top. The antenna was subsequently connected to the hidden panel behind the dashboard. Gerlach used this 'moving transmitter' to broadcast back to Germany the shipping convoy movements from England to the U.S.A. Because the car was always moving, the English could not get a 'fix' on it.

Werner Gerlach was captured by the English on May 10th, 1940 and 'returned' to Germany; the car was sold at auction. It changed hands several times before leaving Iceland in the late 1960's for the U.S.A. The car was restored and changed hands several times until the current owner did research on the car before acquiring the car several years ago from a Chicago collector. Mr. Rudy Kamper, from Berea, Ohio, has brought back several details missed by previous owners in order to capture authenticable details.

Werner Gerlach, a Researrch Physician by trade, is also credited with coming up with the principle for determining DNA from blood samples. Dr. Gerlach continued medical research until his death in Kempton Bavaria in 1961.

Recent photos of this magnificent historical vehicle have been sent back to the Iceland Government in Reykjavik for use in a new book dealing with life in Iceland during WWII where this car played a significant roll in the early part of the war.

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