1951 Mercedes-Benz 170D

Mercedes-Benz introduced the 170 V (W136) in February 1936, and it served as the successor to the W15 Typ 170. It was the company's top-selling model between 1936 and 1939, and from 1946 through 1953. The 'V' represented Vorn or front referencing its front-engine configuration which differentiated it from the rear-engined Mercedes-Benz 170H (W28) - 'H' for 'Heck' or rear. Both the 170 V and 170 H were equipped with an inline four-cylinder engine displacing 1,697cc.

The tooling of the W136 survived Allied bombing during World War II, allowing the company to quickly resume production when peacetime resumed. The post-war 170 V took its styling cues from the pre-World War II era, with separate headlamps, one-piece windshield, and rear-hinged front doors. The 170 came in a variety of styles, including the 'S', 'V', 'Va', and 'D'. The 170S, a luxury version, was added in 1949 and brought with it a larger engine. The 170 V saw a resurgence in 1949, including a diesel variant dubbed the Mercedes-Benz 170 D, renowned for its exceptional fuel economy.

Mechancial Specification
The Mercedes 170 V rested on a 112-inch wheelbase platform with an overall length of 168.1 inches and a width of 62 inches. Most of the bodies built after World War II had a width of 64 inches.

Engine
The preceding Mercedes-Benz 170 (W15) was powered by a 1.7-liter six-cylinder engine. The 170 V (W136), introduced in 1936, had a 1.7-liter four-cylinder M136 engine with side-valves, and despite having two fewer cylinders, was more powerful that the six. Initially having a compression ratio of 6:1, the four-cylinder unti produced 38 horsepower at 3,400 RPM. The transmission was a four-speed synchromesh unit.

Body Styles
The Mercedes-Benz 170 V was offered in a variety of body styles, including a four-door 'Cabrio-Limousine', 2-door cabriolets in 2- and 4-door configurations, a 2-door pickup, and a 4-door van. The 2-door 2-seater cabriolet was the 'Cabriolet A' and the 4-seater version was the 'Cabriolet B.' The most popular body style of the 170 V was the two- or four-door 'limousine' (sedan/saloon).

Production
The pre-war production of W136 cars, which ceased in 1942, reached approximately 75,000 units. Post-war production (1947 to 1955) was approximately 83,190 units.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2007