1940 Mercedes 320 - How many were built, and how many still exist? Is there some online resource for production numbers for all makes and models? Thank You
Not a terribly pretty design, if you ask me. Sort of like a stretched cross between a mid-forties Ford Coupe, an early Saab 96 and maybe some kind of a Borgward.
I have an opportunity to purchase this exact model barring the coachwork, not sure about that, but it is a 1940 mercedes 320 cabrio with red original paint, in needs to be restored condition. I need more info on the car before purchasing it. Im pretty sure only like 250 were built, and I think alot of those got destroyed in the war. just a hunch. Thank you everyone for helping me with this!
Im thinking its the holy grail of barn finds. Ive seen some porche bodys w/chassis alone go for 75k on bringatrailer.com. I need to go back over there and examine the condition a bit better.
I have an opportunity to purchase this exact model barring the coachwork, not sure about that, but it is a 1940 mercedes 320 cabrio with red original paint, in needs to be restored condition. I need more info on the car before purchasing it. Im pretty sure only like 250 were built, and I think alot of those got destroyed in the war. just a hunch. Thank you everyone for helping me with this!
In those days you could buy a chassis from Mercedes-Benz and let somebody else build you the coachwork (still possible today, mainly used for funeral cars and ambulances). You could also buy one of the standard factory produced coachworks.
This page Mercedes-Benz 320 Wendler Cabriolet (in German) has information about the Wendler version. It was made in 1950. It was a gift for primaballerina Lilia Zeisner. It is thought that there were two made, but only one is known to be in existence.
The old man who owns the one I'm referring to told me the story behind the car. He said it was originally purchased in december 1939 in germany by a german civilian. An American soldier purchased the car from the original owner in '43 and had it shipped to Albaquerque NM. After the war the soldier took out the original 6cyl eng and dropped an american V8 in it, along with doing some minimal body customization (rear fenders) Apparently there was a big racing scene out there after the war. The old man purchased the car in the early 50's and put the original motor back into it. I found the production numbers once online, and it was like 250 or 150, but havn't been able to find that site since.
Last edited by 300TurboDylan; 10-05-2011 at 01:51 AM.
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