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1928 Mercedes-Benz Model S Sports Tourer

  • Coachwork by Glaser
  • Chassis Number: 35920
  • Engine Number: 68674
Debuting in 1927, the Mercedes 'S' was an enhanced descendant of the already famous 'K' of two years prior. Both were designed by Dr. Ferdinand Porsche, Mercedes' chief engineer at the time. The 'S' was definitely a sporting chassis with a low center of gravity designed for spirited and competitive driving. In 1927 alone, the Type 'S' was responsible for 27 racing victories, while at the same time, breaking 10 records. Rudolf Caracciola and Adolf Rosenberger proved very competitive in the Type S, adding to the team's collection of tournament and hill climb trophies. Across the Atlantic, Ralph DePalma drove one to victory in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

This 1928 S was assembled at the Mercedes-Benz factory in Stuttgart and then sent to H. Glaser-Karosserie in Dresden for a custom body in late May 1928. Design details included the helmet-style front fenders, cut-down doors, Veed windshield, wire wheels, copper-plated brake drums, and hood panels topped with twin rows of 57 louvers each. The car was completed for Louis Delling of Dresden, who took delivery later in the year. During the 1930s, the S-Type had two UK-based owners before making its way to the United States, likely in the 1950s. It is believed to have been owned by John North on the East Coast. In 1964, the Sports Tourer was on display with Ed Jurist at his Vintage Car Store, where it was offered for sale. John E. Riegel acquired it in August of 1964 from Mr. Jurist for the sum of $15,000. The new owner was enlisted in the Navy at the time and purchased sight unseen. At the time, it had a snow-white over-red color scheme. The car remained with Mr. Riegel for the rest of his life; in early years, it was used by him for daily transportation and to take his children to school, and later became a prized possession proudly exhibited at shows and concours d'elegance and, impressively, driven on the Colorado Grand in 2015.

In the mid-1960s, the car was treated to a thorough restoration and the coachwork was refinished in the black and yellow color scheme it displays today. A new black canvas top was installed, and the interior was re-trimmed in black leather. After the work was completed, it made its concours debut in the Northeast in 1969, never placing lower than first, and earned multiple special and Best of Show awards.

With its show circuit duties completed, the car became a driver for the owner and his family, and was used in more than one family wedding over the following decades.

A second major restoration effort began in 2013. After the work was completed, it took part in the 2015 Colorado Grand.

Powered by a 6.8-liter, 120-horsepower inline 6-cylinder engine, it is believed to be one of 25 survivors (possibly as many as 58) that exist today.

Each of the 146 examples of the S-Type built had a very low and long hood line. Most of the bodies were built by the Sindelfingen factory, while others were bodied by coachbuilders such as Erdmann & Rossi, Corsica, Castagna, Glaser, Saoutchik, and Murphy.

It was finally sold by the Riegel family in 2021 to the current caretaker, who has continued to maintain this well-known example of the 680 S.

2021 Bonhams : Quail Lodge

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $3,000,000-USD $4,000,000 
Sale Price :
USD $5,395,000

2017 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $5,000,000-USD $6,000,000 
Lot was not sold

1928 Mercedes-Benz Model S Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Mercedes-Benz Model S

(Data based on Model Year 1928 sales)
1928 Mercedes-Benz 26/120/180-S-Type Supercharged Sports Tourer
Chassis#: 35920
Sold for USD$5,395,000
  2021 Bonhams : Quail Lodge
1928 Mercedes-Benz Model S image  1928 Mercedes-Benz Model S image  
1928 MERCEDES-BENZ TYP S 26/120/180 SUPERCHARGED SPORTS TOURER
Chassis#: 35323
Sold for USD$4,812,500
  2017 Bonhams : Scottsdale, AZ
 
1928 Mercedes-Benz 680S Torpedo Roadster by Carrosserie J. Saoutchik
Chassis#: 35949
Sold for USD$8,250,000
  2013 RM Auctions - Monterey
1928 Mercedes-Benz Model S image  1928 Mercedes-Benz Model S image  
1928 Mercedes-Benz 36/220 6.8-litre S-Type Four-Seat Open Tourer
Chassis#: 35906
Sold for USD$4,543,096
  2012 Bonhams - Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia
 
1928 Mercedes-Benz S 26/180 Boattail Speedster
Sold for USD$3,740,000
  2010 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auctions
1928 Mercedes-Benz Model S image  1928 Mercedes-Benz Model S image  
1928 Mercedes-Benz 26/120/180 S-type 6.8-litre supercharged Torpedo Roadster
Sold for USD$3,363,278
  2008 Bonhams - Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles Automobiles d'Exception
 

Mercedes-Benz Model Ss That Failed To Sell At Auction

1928 Mercedes-Benz Model S's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1928 Mercedes-Benz S-Type 26/180 Sports Tourer359202017 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach $5,000,000$6,000,000
1928 Mercedes-Benz 26/120/180 Type S Sports 4 by Sindelfingen359472017 RM Sothebys : Monterey $3,500,000$4,000,000
1928 Mercedes-Benz 680 S Torpedo-Sport Avant-Garde by Saoutchik359492017 RM Sothebys : Villa Erba $6,500,000$8,000,000

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1928 Mercedes-Benz Model S vehicle thumbnail image  

1928 Mercedes-Benz Model S

Additional valuation insight and sales data
History
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Other Mercedes-Benz Model S model years

1928 Mercedes-Benz Model S Vehicle Profiles

1928 Mercedes-Benz Model S vehicle information
Tourenwagen
Coachwork: Sindelfingen
1928 Mercedes-Benz Model S vehicle information
Tourer
Chassis #: 35945
1928 Mercedes-Benz Model S vehicle information
Tourer
Chassis #: 35939
1928 Mercedes-Benz Model S vehicle information
Sports Tourer
Coachwork: Glaser
Chassis #: 35920
Engine #: 68674
1928 Mercedes-Benz Model S vehicle information
Torpedo Roadster
Coachwork: Saoutchik
Chassis #: 35949
Engine #: 72151
1928 Mercedes-Benz Model S vehicle information
Saoutchik Cabriolet
Coachwork: Saoutchik
Chassis #: 35964
Engine #: 72166
1928 Mercedes-Benz Model S vehicle information
Boattail Speedster
Coachwork: Murphy
Chassis #: 35313
1928 Mercedes-Benz Model S vehicle information
Armbruster Roadster
Coachwork: Armbruster
Chassis #: 35213
1928 Mercedes-Benz Model S vehicle information
Tourer
Chassis #: 35947
Engine #: 71819
Build #: 40647