MERCEDES-BENZ: The Fifties, Volume 1
Introduction
Introduction
© 2024 Bernd S. Koehling
All Rights Reserved
All Rights Reserved
Excerpts from the book:
The Mercedes 170 V sedan
In the 1930s, the 170V was crucial for the survival of Daimler-Benz in difficult economic times. This was the same after WWII. Production of the Mercedes 170 V had resumed in May 1946. Initially only pick-ups, panel vans and ambulance cars, as Mercedes was prohibited to build passenger cars>>>
<<<But to launch a new Mercedes diesel in the late 1940s into a limited market had its risks, especially for a company that was still struggling to get its feet firmly on the ground again. In a speech in early 1948, CEO Dr. Wilhelm Haspel addressed the diesel issue as follows:
“I am in no doubt that this engine is a very good design solution and that it is highly attractive in the current climate. But having looked closely at our operations and established the circumstances in which we find ourselves in terms of men and machines, I have reached the conclusion that anything done on top of what we are already doing would be enough to bankrupt our company. If we do not take action to make ourselves price competitive with the Mercedes 170 V and turn out at least 1000 vehicles per month, then this factory will perish, even if we were to build a diesel engine with such low fuel consumption. Today we are currently producing an average of 100 vehicles per month. This raises the real question of whether, given such a shortfall, the factory may have to close. In a year the situation could perhaps be different.”
What does the book offer:
It gives you all the facts about the pre- and postwar 170V series and covers in addition also the 170S with its two-door derivations. These are some of the 170V topics discussed:
* t
he development and history of the 170V with its 1950s diesel and OTP versions* chassis number and data card are explained in great detail
* should you be interested in the coach-built models like the Binz, Miesen or Zugner vans for example, you can read about them here
* some 50 mostly recent non-Daimler AG 170V color photos highlight many of the cars' features, this includes pictures of the suspension
* a compact 170 and
* the Auto-Union (later named Audi) connection, which
cost MB management in the 1950s considerable strain
A separate chapter covers technical features and production figures. Enjoy!
Interested to read more about the Mercedes 170 V? Then go here for both printed book and e-book. They cover the 170 models from 1936 to 1955. If you do not live in the US, please select it from your respective country website of Amazon.
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The following videos are copied from youtube for your viewing pleasure. Some of them contain cars filmed by commercial vendors. I am not associated with them