1938 Mercedes-Benz Type 320 Cabriolet B

Mercedes-Benz is one of the world's most recognized names; a division of the Germany company Daimler AG. The brand is known for luxury vehicles, buses, and trucks. The name appeared in 1926 with the merger of the firms of Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz. Benz's 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen is regarded as the first gasoline-powered automobile.

The Mercedes-Benz W142 (Type 32) is a passenger car introduced in February 1937. The car was known by its name Type 320 during production and service, but today is commonly referred to using the Mercedes-Benz works number W142, giving it a more specific nomenclature.

Like many cars of the era, it was available in a number of body styles, including short and long wheelbase, limousine, 'tourenwagen', roadster, four cabriolets and more. The car features the straight six-cylinder 3.2 liter M142 motor, producing 77 horsepower at 4,000 RPM. Top speed is 81 miles per hour. Power is delivered to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual synchromesh transmission, unusual for the era. Brakes are hydraulic on all four wheels. The suspension is from the W18 with a swing axle at the rear and a central transverse leaf springs and coil springs at the front.

This 1938 Mercedes-Benz 320 has chassis #435053 and is an example of the W142 fitted with Cabriolet B Coachwork and was originally built in Mercedes' Mannheim plant which is still in operation today.

The original matching numbers 3.2 liter, in-line six-cylinder is in excellent condition. The original jack and associated tools are mounted to the firewall as original. This example is also fitted with 'Autobahn Gearing', a mechanical overdrive unit operated by a separate gear lever on the floor.

By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2018