1936 Mercedes-Benz 230 Cabriolet B

This 1936 Mercedes-Benz 230 N Cabriolet B was delivered new on July 1st of 1936 to a resident of Germany. Walter Kurt Gross of Halen, Lotte, acquired it on March 16th of 1969 and is believed to have owned it through the 1980s and 1990s. In 2003 it was sold to Gerhard Schnuerer and brought to the United States. At the time, the car was solid with only minor rust and the only modification was to the taillights. Mr. Schnuerer fitted the car with a new head gasket and valve cover and installed new brake lines. The water pump was rebuilt by specialists at the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Fellbach.

The Mercedes-Benz was eventually submitted to the Classic Center USA, for what became a ground-up and concours-quality body-off restoration. The frame was carefully stripped, cleaned, and repaired as necessary. The suspension and brake systems were both fully rebuilt. The engine and transmission were rebuilt to original specifications, and a new exhaust system produced and mounted. Modifications that had been made over the years were removed or replaced as required. The interior was refinished with leather upholstery, and the car was fully rewired with a new harness and was converted to a modern 12-volt electrical system.

After the work was completed, the Schnuerers occasionally displayed the 230 N at events, receiving a class award at the Palos Verdes Concours d'Elegance in 2010, and appearing at the Beverly Hills Concours d'Elegance in 2012.

This Mercedes is powered by a 2,229cc inline 6-cylinder engine fitted with a single Solex carburetor and delivers 55 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual transmission with overdrive, an independent suspension system, and four-wheel hydraulic-assisted drum brakes.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2020