LOT 145

1938 Mercedes-Benz 320N Cabriolet Chassis no. 408250 Engine no. 421143

Estimate: €400,000 - €450,000

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Lot 145

1938 Mercedes-Benz 320N Cabriolet

The Paris Sale|30 January 2026, 12:00 CET|Paris, Polo de Paris

1938 Mercedes-Benz 320N Cabriolet
Chassis no. 408250
Engine no. 421143

• Rare cabriolet model
• Unequalled pre-war style
• Most likely one of 6 examples ever built
• Registered in The Netherlands

"Introduced in 1937, the Mercedes-Benz 320 was a comfortable car available in a huge range of bodywork configurations, from a four-door saloon costing 8,950 marks, via a six-seater touring car, a number of cabriolets and a roadster, up to a streamlined saloon available for 14,550 marks." - Schlegelmilch & Lehbrink, Mercedes.

Mercedes-Benz's luxurious 320 series was introduced in 1937 as a replacement for the 290 series. Built initially in two wheelbase lengths - regular and short (N) - the 320 was down to just one from 1938 onwards, though a wide variety of open and closed body styles remained available, including a state-of-the-art streamlined saloon. The 320's six-cylinder side valve engine started out at 3,208cc before being bored out to 3,405cc towards the end of production to compensate for inferior quality fuel. Maximum power increased to 78bhp and overall performance greatly improved, while coil-sprung independent suspension all round ensured that the ride afforded the ultimate in comfort at all times. Mercedes-Benz made only a little over 4,300 320s in all body styles, so this 320N Cabriolet is both rare and collectible.

Benefiting from the larger, 3.4-litre engine, chassis number '408250' is probably one of only six 320N cabriolets completed. Unfortunately, all purchase order books were destroyed during WW2, which means that there is no official data available concerning chassis and engine numbers. Research, and the files with the car, suggest that this could be one of the original six built at the Mannheim factory.

Restored in 2002 by the renowned restorer Szielasko from Switzerland, this 320N comes complete with tool kit, a set of suitcases, and a history file containing numerous photographs of the rebuild. The car is ready to be enjoyed!

Footnotes

Mercedes 320N Cabriolet 3,4 litres de 1938
Châssis n° 408250
Moteur n° 421143

• Rare version cabriolet
• Incomparable ligne d'avant-guerre
• Très probablement l'un des six exemplaires jamais produits
• Immatriculée aux Pays-Bas

"La Mercedes 320, lancée en 1937, était une confortable voiture disponible dans un grand choix de carrosseries, de la berline quatre-portes à 8 950 marks à la berline profilée vendue 14 550 marks, en passant par une décapotable six-places, de nombreux cabriolets et un roadster." - Schlegelmilch & Lehbrink, Mercedes.

La luxueuse gamme 320 de Mercedes fut lancée en 1937 en remplacement de la gamme 290. D'abord proposée en deux empattements, normal et court (N), la 320 ne le fut plus qu'avec un seul à partir de 1938, mais dans un grand nombre de carrosseries découvertes ou fermées, dont une berline profilée, à la pointe de la technique. Son six-cylindres à soupapes latérales démarra à 3 208 cm3, puis fut réalésé vers la fin de série à 3 405 cm3 pour compenser un carburant qui s'était dégradé, ce qui fit grimper la puissance à 78 ch et améliora bien les performances de la voiture. Ses quatre roues indépendantes à ressorts hélicoïdaux lui garantissaient en permanence le meilleur confort possible. Mercedes ne produisit la 320 qu'à à peine plus de 4 300 exemplaires, tous types de carrosseries confondus, ce qui fait de la 320 Cabriolet un objet de collection rare.

Ce châssis n° 408250, équipé du gros 3,4 litres, est probablement l'un des six cabriolets 320N jamais construits. Les registres de commande furent malheureusement tous détruits pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale, ce qui fait qu'il n'existe aucune donnée officielle relative aux numéros de châssis et de moteur. Des recherches, ainsi que les fichiers qui accompagnent la voiture, suggèrent que ce pourrait être là l'une des six construites alors à l'usine de Mannheim.

Restaurée en 2002 par Szielasko, le restaurateur suisse bien connu, cette 320N est complète et dispose d'une trousse à outils, d'un jeu de valises et d'un dossier d'historique contenant de nombreuses photos de sa restauration. Elle est prête à se faire apprécier !

Saleroom notices

This car comes with a suitcase, but without a toolkit. Cette voiture est livrée avec une valise, mais sans trousse à outils.

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