The baby-Benz of the 1930s

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When you think of Mercedes-Benzes of the 1930s you may think of big and powerful machines with thundering straight-eight or six-in-line engines and dramatic limousine, Torpedo or cabriolet bodies. We do, we admit it. But these vehicles were of course just the top within the broad Mercedes-spectre. Their best-selling item was the considerably more down to earth 170V, built from 1935-on in numbers in excess of 75,000 before the War alone, making it by far the most popular Mercedes-Benz model up until then.

With its 1.7-litre four-cylinder side-valve engine, the 170V was available in an incredible number of body styles, from four-wheel steered army staff vehicle to flashy Sport-Roadster. Belgian auctioneers Noble-Auctions have put their hands on a collection, which compromises a great number of Mercedeses of which several are 170s, most of them being roadsters or cabriolets - see the inventory here. With its roll-back roof, the one seen above is a cabriolet-limousine with fashionably dressed 1930s ladies.

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