Gregor Wenner
Specialist Consultant
LOT 141
1938 Mercedes-Benz 170 H Convertible Saloon Chassis no. 224365 Engine no. 137537
Sold for €63,250 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 141
1938 Mercedes-Benz 170 H Convertible Saloon
1938 Mercedes-Benz 170 H Convertible Saloon
Chassis no. 224365
Engine no. 137537
Chassis no. 224365
Engine no. 137537
• Very rare pre-war Mercedes
• One of only 250 built in 1938
• Professionally restored in Poland
• Stored since completion in 2020
In 1935, in parallel with the front-engined Mercedes-Benz 170 V, Daimler-Benz AG introduced the Mercedes-Benz 170 H, which used the same four-cylinder 1,697cc 38PS engine but mounted at the rear. Although designed by Hans Nibel, the 170 H bore more than a passing resemblance to the Volkswagen 'Beetle', the latter's creator, Dr Ferdinand Porsche, having been Daimler Benz's chief designer during the late 1920s.
The Mercedes-Benz 170 H was produced from 1935 to 1939, although only 1,507 were built over those four years. This car was manufactured in February 1938 and is one of only 250 built that year. The original purchaser of the car was a German citizen of Jewish descent. Due to the rising tide of fascism in Germany and the increasing repression of the Jewish population, the owner and his family left Germany in September 1938 with this car and travelled by ferry to Sweden, which was a neutral and welcoming country. The car remained in the family's possession until around 1950 when it was sold to a Swedish citizen, who used it occasionally for private purposes for several years. Eventually the Mercedes was put away in a garage where, unused, it slowly deteriorated. There is no indication that the car had undergone any restoration between 1950 and 2012. In June 2011, while travelling in Sweden, the current vendor met the 170 H's owner in Jnkping.
After inspecting the Mercedes, the current owner decided to purchase it with the intention of carrying out a complete restoration to return the car to perfect condition. It should be mentioned that the Mercedes-Benz 170 H, despite 62 years off the road, was in original condition with most of its original parts and equipment intact, as can be seen in the accompanying illustrated report. The car was then brought to Poland for a complete rebuild. The body and engine underwent a total restoration using original components; the wooden components were restored using top quality materials; and the upholstery was re-trimmed to the original pattern. The replaced parts, as well as all the 'extras', are original Mercedes-Benz 170 H components, which were purchased at an autojumble in Mannheim, Germany. After the restoration's completion, a Certified Automotive Appraiser evaluated the car's condition, rating the originality and completeness of structural assemblies and engine accessories at above 95%; and the originality and completeness of the vehicle's suspension and drive train at above 95% also.
The entire restoration and reassembly of the car was carried out in Poland under the supervision of one of the best Mercedes-Benz restoration specialists and is recorded in the album of photographs on file. Additional documentation includes the cancelled Swedish registration document, Polish export paperwork, and an instruction manual. In 2020, the car's restoration was completed and since then it has been kept in storage and will therefore undoubtedly require some mechanical reconditioning prior to use.
Please note that this vehicle is offered without any original registration documents, bidders should satisfy themselves as to registration requirements in their own jurisdiction. Please contact the department for further information.
• One of only 250 built in 1938
• Professionally restored in Poland
• Stored since completion in 2020
In 1935, in parallel with the front-engined Mercedes-Benz 170 V, Daimler-Benz AG introduced the Mercedes-Benz 170 H, which used the same four-cylinder 1,697cc 38PS engine but mounted at the rear. Although designed by Hans Nibel, the 170 H bore more than a passing resemblance to the Volkswagen 'Beetle', the latter's creator, Dr Ferdinand Porsche, having been Daimler Benz's chief designer during the late 1920s.
The Mercedes-Benz 170 H was produced from 1935 to 1939, although only 1,507 were built over those four years. This car was manufactured in February 1938 and is one of only 250 built that year. The original purchaser of the car was a German citizen of Jewish descent. Due to the rising tide of fascism in Germany and the increasing repression of the Jewish population, the owner and his family left Germany in September 1938 with this car and travelled by ferry to Sweden, which was a neutral and welcoming country. The car remained in the family's possession until around 1950 when it was sold to a Swedish citizen, who used it occasionally for private purposes for several years. Eventually the Mercedes was put away in a garage where, unused, it slowly deteriorated. There is no indication that the car had undergone any restoration between 1950 and 2012. In June 2011, while travelling in Sweden, the current vendor met the 170 H's owner in Jnkping.
After inspecting the Mercedes, the current owner decided to purchase it with the intention of carrying out a complete restoration to return the car to perfect condition. It should be mentioned that the Mercedes-Benz 170 H, despite 62 years off the road, was in original condition with most of its original parts and equipment intact, as can be seen in the accompanying illustrated report. The car was then brought to Poland for a complete rebuild. The body and engine underwent a total restoration using original components; the wooden components were restored using top quality materials; and the upholstery was re-trimmed to the original pattern. The replaced parts, as well as all the 'extras', are original Mercedes-Benz 170 H components, which were purchased at an autojumble in Mannheim, Germany. After the restoration's completion, a Certified Automotive Appraiser evaluated the car's condition, rating the originality and completeness of structural assemblies and engine accessories at above 95%; and the originality and completeness of the vehicle's suspension and drive train at above 95% also.
The entire restoration and reassembly of the car was carried out in Poland under the supervision of one of the best Mercedes-Benz restoration specialists and is recorded in the album of photographs on file. Additional documentation includes the cancelled Swedish registration document, Polish export paperwork, and an instruction manual. In 2020, the car's restoration was completed and since then it has been kept in storage and will therefore undoubtedly require some mechanical reconditioning prior to use.
Please note that this vehicle is offered without any original registration documents, bidders should satisfy themselves as to registration requirements in their own jurisdiction. Please contact the department for further information.
Additional information
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