1939 Mercedes-Benz 320 Cabriolet A

1939 Mercedes 320 Cabriolet A.

Chassis Number: 435308

Registration number: TBA

One of 885 such examples produced.

This car has been the recipient of an exhaustive nut & bolt restoration finished early on this year. The car was discovered in dilapidated condition some 30 years ago in the Czech republic at which time it was purchased with a view to restoration by the curent owner. The car is flawless & of concours show winning quality. It is simply stunning to drive & is a show stopper on the street.

Specification is as follows: 77 bhp, 3,405 cc overhead-valve inline six-cylinder engine, four-speed manual transmission with overdrive, central transverse leaf-spring front suspension with coil springs, swing axle rear suspension, and four-wheel drum brakes. Wheelbase: 2,880 mm

Mercedes-Benz’s 320 of the late 1930s occupied the same position in the company’s hierarchy that the E-Class does today: it was a competent performance car without the sheer brawn and Teutonic force of the big eight-cylinder models, but it was still swift, luxuriously bodied, and elegantly appointed. The 320 showed that one had arrived in the world, but also that one was still careful about one’s money. Typical of Mercedes-Benz in this era, a wide variety of beautifully crafted body styles were made available, to suit virtually every taste and desire.

This Mercedes Cabriolet A is badged as having been produced at the Daimler-Benz factory in Mannheim, and it shows just 1002 kilometres since restoration. It is the ultimate W142 version, with the bigger 3.4-litre engine and the desirable overdrive. It is appointed in a beautiful, rich black and primrose yellow, with a complementary black canvas top that is headlined in beige cloth and cream leather upholstery. Trim is correct throughout, including Bosch headlamps, milk glass parking lights, a driver’s side spotlight, period traffic signals, triple wiper blades, and chrome wire wheels.

Peering within the car, one sees such fine details as a single jump seat behind the driver’s seat, which is suitable to hold one’s child or a third very uncomfortable adult. Lowering the shelf behind the jump seat allows for stowage of suitcases, ideal for the grand tour. Interestingly, the driver has his or her own bucket seat, with a wider seat supplied alongside for the passenger. The interior is trimmed in finely figured burr walnut woodwork, which surrounds very nicely restored gauges.