Mercedes-Benz 320 (W 142 series, 1937 to 1942) in the Streamline Saloon version, also known as “Autobahn Kurier”, 1938.
In 1937, Mercedes-Benz had a familiar problem: It lacked a car in what we would today call the “obere Mittelklasse,” or the upper middle class, that sweet spot between medium-sized vehicles and top-of-the line. Apparently, auto managers already engaged in the art of positioning. At least, that’s what the “Allgemeine Automobil-Zeitung” (AAZ or “General Automotive Magazine”) wrote when Mercedes showed its 3.2 liter Mercedes-Benz Type 320 (W 142 series) at the International Automobile and Motorcycle Exhibition (IAMA) in Berlin in February 1937.
There was ample competition. Opel showed the new Admiral, Ford fielded a 3.6-liter V8. Audi-predecessor Horch had its 930 V and 830 BL models.
Initially, the 320 was available with two wheelbases. Short (2,880 millimeters) and regular (3,300 millimeters).
The short version was offered as a bare chassis, a Cabriolet, and a Combination coupé with removable roof that did cost 12,300 Reichsmark.
The regular version was by far the most popular. Here is the on-line version of the pre-war catalog:
Mercedes-Benz 320 in its saloon version.
Saloon with 4 doors & 4 windows 8,950.00 RM
Cabriolet B with 2 doors & 4 windows 9,800.00 RM
Mercedes-Benz 320 in its Cabriolet D version.
Cabriolet D with 4 doors & 4 windows 10,400.00 RM
Mercedes-Benz 320 in the Pullman-Saloon version, 1938.
Pullman saloon with 4 doors & 6 windows 9,800.00 RM
Mercedes-Benz 320 in the Pullman-Cabriolet F version.
Cabriolet F with 4 doors & 6 windows 12,500.00 RM
Open touring car with 4 doors & 6 windows 9,900.00 RM
Cabriolet A with 2 doors & 2 windows 13,500.00 RM
Roadster with 2 doors & 2 windows (only 1937) 13,500.00 RM
Streamline saloon (until 1938) 14,500.00 RM
Chassis 6,800.00 RM
The Mercedes-Benz 320 was developed out of the 290 model (W 18). Its anemic 68 bhp engine was re-worked using methods familiar to any greying hot-rodder. The engine received a bigger bore (78 to 82.5 millimeters,) which lifted displacement from 2.9 to 3.2 liters. The simple updraught carburetor of the W18 was replaced by a dual downdraught carburetor. All of this yielded a whopping 10 horses more.
Completely reworking the suspension of the W18 bore fruits: Testers were delighted by the driving comfort and handling,
Mercedes-Benz 320 N (W 142 series) in the combination coupé version
Among the many body styles, the short wheelbase came as a so-called “combination coupé.” It was a convertible which also had a removable hardtop. Before leaving the garage, one had to decide which roof to leave at home.
The long-wheelbase had several cabriolets (A through F.) The Pullman saloon, the Cabriolet F and the open touring car had no trunkspace. Luggage was carried on a folding luggage rack. Special containers for luggage were sold as optional extras.
At the IAMA in February 1939, Mercedes-Benz presented a revised version of the 320 model. It’s 3.4 liter engine was adapted to the increasingly inferior fuel quality with lower octane numbers – Germany switched to liquefaction of coal.
The 320 gets drafted and goes to war
In 1939, the 320 went to war as a “Wehrmachtskübelwagen.” The last Mercedes-Benz Type 320 was built in 1942. Between 1937 and 1942, a total of 6861 vehicles were made, 1764 of which were bucket seat vehicles for the German Army.
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- Mercedes-Benz 320 (W 142 series, 1937 to 1942) in the Streamline Saloon version, also known as “Autobahn Kurier”, 1938.
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- Mercedes-Benz 320 in its Cabriolet D version.
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- Mercedes-Benz 320 in its Cabriolet D version.
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- Mercedes-Benz 320 in its Cabriolet D version.
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- Mercedes-Benz 320 in its Cabriolet D version.
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- Mercedes-Benz 320 in its Cabriolet D version.
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- Mercedes-Benz 320 N (W 142 series) in the combination coupé version
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- Mercedes-Benz 320 in the Pullman-Cabriolet F version.
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- Mercedes-Benz 320 in the Pullman-Saloon version, 1938.
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- Mercedes-Benz 320 in its saloon version.
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- Mercedes-Benz 320 in the Pullman saloon version without outside trunks, 1937.
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- Daimler-Benz AG advertisement: “Top of its class! Mercedes-Benz 320”, published in “AAZ”
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- The 320 gets drafted and goes to war
Today MB are making an ugly mistake by trying to add a vestigial rear fender into their sheet metal.
Wow! That Autobahn Kurier really sends a message, “We are the Gestapo. Your papers, please.”
If that thing pulled up to my house back in the day, I’d crap myself.
The “Autobahn Kurier” pictured is in the MB Museum in Stuttgart,a nd was one of my favorite cars out of the whole collection. Lovely.
Mercedes cars of that era were imposing but they were not that pretty. Now pre-war Alfas on the other hand, molto bello!
coincidentally I have been watching some old Hogan’s Heroes episodes and it looks like Col. Klink’s staff car seems to be just like the Mercedes-Benz 320 in the Pullman-Saloon. Lots of great German cars and military vehicles on the show.
“Before leaving the garage, one had to decide which roof to leave at home.”
Is this true? Most of the cars I have known with removable hardtops, had the foldable ragtop always attached to the body, and all one had to do was decide if they wanted to leave the hardtop at home.
If it rained that day, the ragtop was available to be raised and close the vehicle.
My Jeep CJ-7 was that way.
Either hardtop, soft top, or no top.
You had to decide before you left.
I have to admit, I do like a faired-in wheel-arch.
I prefer the pre-war Horches to the MBs
That Streamlined saloon version must be the inspiration of today’s CLS, a lower, swoopier version of the company,s midzise sedan.
That is a car driven people who say “Farewell, Dr. Jones”.