1938 Mercedes-Benz 170V Cabriolet A

The Hans Nibel designed 170 models were first shown to the public at the 1931 Paris Auto Salon. Mr. Nibel, a chassis engineer, gave the new 170 series an all-independent lightweight chassis which offered a smooth ride and excellent handling. These were medium-sized and medium-priced vehicles that were attainable but a much wider market than the tradition Mercedes clientele. By the time production came to a close in 1941, nearly 70,000 examples had been built.

The Series 170 was available in a variety of styles, including a two- or four-door sedan, two- or four-seat cabriolet, roadster and cabrio-sedan, open tourer, delivery van (of either pickup or box type), and ambulance or patrol car.

In 1932, Herman Ahrens set up a custom coachbuilding department at Mercedes-Benz at Sindelfingen. His resume included working for the Deutsche Industrie Werke in Berlin, and at Horch, where he designed some of their most prestigious models.

In 1933, Ahrens was joined by his associate Walter Hacker, with whom he had worked previously. Together, Mr. Ahrens and Mr. Hacker were responsible for some of the elegant designs that followed, including the 540 K Special Roadsters. Their work also included the 170 V Cabriolet A, which was priced at a reasonable $1,459. Production began in 1936 and a total of 794 examples were built.

The 170 V Cabriolet A was a hand-built vehicle which featured a longer bonnet, a rakish windshield angle, and sweeping front fenders.

This particular example is currently in the care of Jamie Wyeth and has been in his collection since 2006. It was given a restoration that began in 1990 and after the work was completed it was shown at Meadow Brook, the Concours d'Elegance of the Eastern United States, and Greenwich (Best Pre-War Mercedes-Benz), along with Best in Class wins at the Castle Hill Concours d'Elegance, New Hampshire Vintage Fall Festival, Lime Rock Vintage Fall Festival, and Radnor Concours d'Elegance. It has also received a Judges Choice award at the MBCA Germanfest and a class award at the Hartford Concours d'Elegance. In 2001 it was displayed at the Lars Anderson Auto Museum's Mercedes-Benz retrospective.

This 170 V is powered by a 1697cc side-valve four-cylinder engine offering 38 horsepower and mated to a four-speed manual transmission.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2017