Mercedes-Benz W18 290 Saloon (1934)
A new Mercedes-Benz series, factory coded W18, began production in 1933 and replaced the Type 350/370 Mannheim series. The fresh motor car, more commonly known as the Type 290, heralded a number of advanced engineering features, among them were hydraulic brakes, a transverse leaf-spring/coil-spring front suspension, a coil-spring floating rear axle, and a 60 horsepower, 2,867-cubic centimetre, side-valve inline six-cylinder engine. In addition to the bare chassis for custom coach builders, six factory-built body styles and a Kuebelwagen (military) variant were available. The factory designs included a four-door touring car, a four-door saloon, and four 2-door convertibles or cabriolets (A, B, C, and D) with various seating configurations.
Mercedes-Benz produced 7,495 W18 passenger cars, of which 3,566 sat on a shorter chassis, whilst 3,929 used a longer chassis. The shorter cars’ bodies, which were on 2,870-millimetre chassis, reflected the design seen on the Type 200 (W21) models of the time, but the 290 bodies were actually a bit longer. The least expensive of the offered bodies was, ironically, a six-seat light limousine, listed at 7,950 Marks. A pricier saloon with a torpedo body, which was called a Tourenwagen, offered a more elegant option. Three convertible bodies were additionally offered and designated as Cabriolet B, Cabriolet C, and Cabriolet D. These were offered in two- or four-door configurations, with two for four-passenger seating. One more convertible was offered with a much sportier look, the Cabriolet A. It had a body that sat 190 millimetres lower than the other soft-topped versions, and it was amongst the most expensive, with it priced at 13,000 Marks.
Mercedes-Benz W18 290 Saloon (1934)
A new Mercedes-Benz series, factory coded W18, began production in 1933 and replaced the Type 350/370 Mannheim series. The fresh motor car, more commonly known as the Type 290, heralded a number of advanced engineering features, among them were hydraulic brakes, a transverse leaf-spring/coil-spring front suspension, a coil-spring floating rear axle, and a 60 horsepower, 2,867-cubic centimetre, side-valve inline six-cylinder engine. In addition to the bare chassis for custom coach builders, six factory-built body styles and a Kuebelwagen (military) variant were available. The factory designs included a four-door touring car, a four-door saloon, and four 2-door convertibles or cabriolets (A, B, C, and D) with various seating configurations.
Mercedes-Benz produced 7,495 W18 passenger cars, of which 3,566 sat on a shorter chassis, whilst 3,929 used a longer chassis. The shorter cars’ bodies, which were on 2,870-millimetre chassis, reflected the design seen on the Type 200 (W21) models of the time, but the 290 bodies were actually a bit longer. The least expensive of the offered bodies was, ironically, a six-seat light limousine, listed at 7,950 Marks. A pricier saloon with a torpedo body, which was called a Tourenwagen, offered a more elegant option. Three convertible bodies were additionally offered and designated as Cabriolet B, Cabriolet C, and Cabriolet D. These were offered in two- or four-door configurations, with two for four-passenger seating. One more convertible was offered with a much sportier look, the Cabriolet A. It had a body that sat 190 millimetres lower than the other soft-topped versions, and it was amongst the most expensive, with it priced at 13,000 Marks.