2,867cc Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Single Updraft Carburetor
68bhp at 3,400rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes

*Sporting and elegant Cabriolet A bodywork
*Enticing 'Barn-find' condition, with outstanding originality
*A rewarding restoration project with great potential
*Offered from the Petersen Automotive Museum Vault Collection


Previewing in Los Angeles, California by appointment. Please contact [email protected] for scheduling.


THE TYPE 290

Introduced in 1934, the Mercedes-Benz Type 290 (or W18 as it was referred to internally) was descended from one of the Stuttgart factory's most important and influential designs: the Type 170. The latter was the work of the company's Technical Director, Hans Nibel, a man more famous as the creator of Mercedes-Benz's successful W25 racer. With the market for its luxury models hard hit by the Depression, Mercedes-Benz had sought to establish itself in the medium-priced family car market sector with the 170. Launched in 1931, the latter embodied Nibel's advanced ideas on chassis design, featuring a box-section frame with independent suspension all round and four-wheel hydraulic brakes. Its power unit was a six-cylinder side-valve of 1,692cc, which transmitted its modest maximum output via a four-speed gearbox to a rubber-mounted differential.

Competitively priced, the 170 was a huge success and spawned a family of larger-engined, more-powerful models, the first of which - the 200 - appeared in 1932. The 200 was joined in 1934 by the outwardly similar six-cylinder 2.9-liter 290, the latter featuring revised front suspension among other improvements.

Capable of a maximum speed of more than 120 km/h depending on the style of coachwork fitted, the 290 was available in both short and long chassis variants, the latter affording coachbuilders greater freedom of expression. In Germany, there were as many as 14 different body styles available, with the majority hand-crafted by Mercedes-Benz' renowned in-house coachbuilder Sindelfingen. There were no fewer than four different Cabriolet body types with two or four doors and between two and four seats available, designated as the Cabriolet A, the Cabriolet B, the Cabriolet C and the Cabriolet D. The Cabriolet A was the most sporting and remains the most desirable model to this day, featuring light and elegant two-seat, Roadster-like bodywork.


THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

The charming 'Barn-find' Mercedes-Benz 290 offered here features the desirable and sporting Cabriolet A coachwork by Sindelfingen, and the beautifully flowing body design fitted on the short wheelbase Type 290 chassis gives it a dramatic and elegant look. Made to order in 1935 and believed to have been delivered new to Burgundy, France, this Cabriolet A has a very interesting provenance. Originally ordered by a wine maker in a dark red color, it ended up at a dispersal sale in Marseilles after the war. In 1957, an American working in France purchased it from a mechanic in Arles for about 200 dollars. The mechanic told him that it came with a box full of German banners, flags, and flag mounts, but the box was still in Marseilles. The American drove the car up a bustling street to the address given to him by the mechanic, but by the time he had turned around to park, the street was suddenly and mysteriously dead, devoid of people. His knocking went unanswered for some time, and he thought it best to leave the strong emotions apparently elicited by this vehicle in Marseilles. He drove the car to Switzerland, around Paris, and eventually to Frankfurt, where he had it serviced and inspected by Mercedes-Benz engineers. He later imported the car to New York, driving it successfully during its long journey to Baltimore, MD.

This elegant Mercedes-Benz 290 Cabriolet A has been preserved in largely original condition and is an impressive example of prewar Mercedes-Benz sporting luxury. Inside a very old red interior is in situ, and the classic white-faced VDO gauges adorn the dashboard. The car appears largely complete, with many parts packed into the cabin. The bodywork is tied to the chassis for shipping purposes and might have been off the chassis at some point. These rare and beautiful Sindelfingen Cabriolet A's are highly sought after on the international collector car market, and this example offers the perfect starting point for a Concours level restoration back to its former glory. The car is offered from the Petersen Vault Collection.