1939 Mercedes-Benz 170V

The Mercedes-Benz 170 (W15) was responsible for the bulk of the company's production during the difficult Depression years of the mid-1930s. The Hans Nibel-designed 170 featured all-independent suspension and six-cylinder power. It was competitively priced, compact, and economical yet engineered and constructed to Mercedes-Benz's traditionally high standards. Power was from a 1,692cc side-valve engine which sent power to the rear wheels via a three-speed manual gearbox, which was fitted with an overdrive economy gear.

Nibel's original design for the 170 changed little until it was replaced in 1936 by the four-cylinder 170V (W136). The 'V' signified vorn, German for front, distinguishing it from the rear-engine 170 H model, with the 'H' standing for heck, or rear. The 170V had a 1.7-liter engine, an oval-tube backbone-type chassis, swing-axle independent rear suspension, transverse-leaf independent front suspension and hydraulic brakes. Two- and four-door saloon models were offered along with no fewer than five different soft-tops. This model formed the mainstay of Mercedes-Benz production and would re-appear in the post-war era and continued in production until 1955.

by Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2019