The Swiss Mercedes mystery on the Axenstrasse

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Along the impressive Axenstrasse on the shore of Lake Lucerne, photographer Michael Aschwanden documented everyday traffic between 1911 and 1933. More than 7,000 times he turned his camera toward everyone who passed by: walkers, soldiers, cyclists, labourers — and, from time to time, motorists experiencing the new freedom of the motor car.

In this photograph we see a distinctive Mercedes touring car, captured in a rock gallery along the mountain road. Aschwanden photographed people as they passed by. The relaxed posture of the occupants reveals the carefree charm of early motor tourism: a mountain road became an adventure, and the moment of being photographed formed part of the enjoyment.

The bodywork is an intriguing construction to which we cannot immediately attach a definite name. The sender of the photo, Doug Miller, has not yet fully solved the puzzle either. It is a custom-built open tourer, probably supplied by a coachbuilder; whether the body is made of wood or aluminium remains uncertain for now.

Do you recognise the exact Mercedes type or the coachbuilder? Readers with additional information are warmly invited to respond.

Photo: Doug Miller, text: Laurens Klein

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