As you delve into the history of old Mercedes Benz cars, some of the top names that come to mind are the 300SL Gullwing, the 190SL and W113 Pagoda, all of which are popular among enthusiasts and collectors. But history can tell us that there were other unsung Mercedes-Benz vehicle models that played a role in defining the company’s identity over the years. While not as glamorous as their more famous counterparts, some of these vehicles played a significant role in establishing Mercedes-Benz’s reputation in its initial years.

These hidden design classics of cars may provide you with a new appreciation for these now-forgotten automotive jewels which show how engineering bravado combined with the post war period’s combination of luxury and practical design to provide the bedrock for the establishment of modern Mercedes-Benz. While some of these vehicles were designed to cater to shifting customer demands and preferences, some showcased engineering concepts that would be absorbed by future models. From unusual low-cost compacts to pioneering diesel-engined vehicles, from utility-focused workhorses to the most successful racing models, each had a specific role to play in a broad-and-versatile product portfolio.

1. Mercedes-Benz W187 (220)

There are few luxury classics more valuable and desired than the Mercedes-Benz W187, which was the flagship model of Mercedes’s new early-50s range when it was introduced in 1951. Not quite as prestigious as Mercedes’s more modern 300-series models, it was the luxury leader that came before the iconic 300 series model. Designed with all the style of a postwar Mercedes but all the engineering of the era, this car was well considered, with an inline-6 responding to the needs of the road in its 80-horsepower engine.

W187’s Understated Luxury Appeal:

• Introduced in 1951
• Premier early-1950s Mercedes offering
• 80-horsepower inline-6 engine
• Three body styles available
• Featured wood-and-leather interiors

The 2nd Photo: Mercedes W187 Production Numbers Over time, Mercedes returned to its old form and developed a car that is just as much a part of the brand’s history as the famous 300SL gullwing and the various classic models that followed. The W187 was the result of Mercedes’ efforts in rebuilding their luxury car brand in the postwar era the result of quality engineering and attention to detail, not of the celebrity of the sleek sports cars to come. The W187’s inline-6 with 80hp was silky smooth in movement, yet three versions of the model the saloon, and cabriolet A and B allow for variety among the buyers.

2. Mercedes-Benz 300b Adenauer

This impressive full-sized saloon was built by Mercedes-Benz from 1954 to 1955 and quickly became known by its now-famous “Adenauer” designation, so named because of the car’s link to the long-serving German Chancellor, Konrad Adenauer. While the iconic 300SL was garnering global attention thanks to its spectacular gullwing design, the 300b quietly assumed another important role transporting political dignitaries in quite a lot of comfort and style. Its reputation is now somewhat obscured due to the fact that it was built as a luxury full-sized saloon, when sports cars with a lot more zing were in the limelight and so fewer than 2,000 of this particular model were made. The 300b was relatively high-tech for its time with equipment including a Becker radio, power windows and optional air conditioning.

Adenauer’s Remarkable Features:

• Produced from 1954-1955
• Named after Konrad Adenauer
• Fewer than 2,000 built
• Becker radio was fitted
• Optional air conditioning available

The 300b Adenauer is a very different story to the glorious 300SL, it is not a sports car but a full-sized luxury saloon. Instead of stardom it gained fame as the diplomatic of choice for those who have and need a luxurious full-sized Mercedes-Benz for business or leisure. With the association with Konrad Adenauer, the American press named it the 300b in the 1950s, and the presence of power windows, a Becker radio and semi-optional air conditioning in this luxury Mercedes helps to solidify its reputation for comfort and style.

3. Mercedes-Benz W142 (320)

Production between 1937 and 1942 and one of the last real luxury cars to roll off the Mercedes-Benz production line before the advent of the Second World War, the Mercedes-Benz W142 mixes commanding and grand styling with cutting-edge mechanical design, making it one of the most impressive luxury tourers before 1940. Powered by a 3.2-litre I8 engine and four-speed overdrive gearbox, the Mercedes-Benz W142 offered the silky-smooth driving experience any self-respecting luxury tourer should, and its strength of chassis construction meant that it was used by military officers alike as private citizens. Unfortunately, due to its introduction coinciding with the development of the war, the Mercedes-Benz W142 was often overshadowed by the emerging international crisis of the early forties, and the model itself was thus overshadowed by world events.

W142’s Pre-War Engineering:

• Built from 1937-1942
• 3.2-litre inline-8 engine
• Four-speed overdrive transmission
• Robust chassis construction
• Used by military officers

The W142 offers a snapshot of the depth of engineering Mercedes-Benz was capable of at a crucial time just before the advent of the Second World War halts all automotive production and developments. With a 3.2-litre inline-8 engine and four-speed overdrive transmission, it exuded the sleek mechanical style expected of a top-of-the-range touring car. The sturdy chassis mean that it was also extremely resilient to intense use, which is why it was driven by both civilians and military officers alike. Its intimidating looks cemented the car’s luxurious appeal, but the ingenuity of the W142 demonstrated Mercedes-Benz’s innovative approach to engineering in the late 1930s; this was often glossed over due to the global conflagration that occurred around the time of its manufacture.

4. Mercedes-Benz L319

The Mercedes-Benz L319 proves that Old Mercedes-Benz Heritage wasn’t just about nice coupes and luxury saloons. As Mercedes Benz’s first post-war commercial van, the L319 was announced in 1955 and became an essential workhorse across Europe, and its solid construction and unfailing driveability made it a reliable vehicle for daily commerce, something it lacked in style. Available in a range of specification including a variety of petrol and diesel powertrains, the L319 was built to a number of chassis formats catering for a variety of uses buyers could specify a van with a cargo or panel van, whilst others specified a minibus body style. Its funny little looks tend towards cartoon, but the fact that it’s so solid lends it a serious workingman character little wonder there’s ever-increasing collector demand for this deserving Mercedes-Benz.

L319’s Practical Heritage:

• Introduced in 1955
• First post-war Mercedes van
• Diesel and petrol options
• Cargo and panel versions
• Minibus configuration was available

The L319 is a good example of why not only glamorous prestige cars but also real working vehicles fall in the Mercedes-Benz wheelhouse. As the company’s first commercial van since 1936 it quickly became an essential workhorse for merchants and traders throughout Europe. Its simple design was an ideal starting point for a commercial van, and was robust enough to provide years of reliable service, while the choice of petrol and diesel engines allowed buyers to select a powertrain that suited them.

5. Mercedes-Benz W21 (200)

The Mercedes-Benz W21, sometimes known as the Mercedes-Benz 220a, was a small executive car built from 1933 through 1936 as a value luxury option somewhere above an economy car and below the luxury models offered by Mercedes-Benz. It was aimed at giving professional drivers a reasonable range of luxury motoring options without the expense of the larger models, while still offering the quality and engineering experience of Mercedes-Benz. The W21 used the time-tested Mercedes-Benz 1.9-litre, six-cylinder engine that offered reliable performance on town roads and rural paths alike.

W21’s Executive Role:

• Produced from 1933-1936
• Compact executive positioning
• 1.9-litre inline-6 engine
• Saloon and cabriolet bodies
• Widely used as taxis

Within Mercedes-Benz’s model lineup, the W21 was actually in quite an interesting position it tried to offer both refined motoring without becoming a family saloon or an affordable means of basic transport. Its inline-6 engine, which displaced 1.9 litters, was well-proven and reliable, and its availability in both saloon and cabriolet body styles meant it could appeal to more than a single segment of customers. Its long life as a taxi across Germany during the 1930s also show how its design became useful for practical purposes of an everyday nature.

6. Mercedes-Benz 170H

History The Mercedes-Benz 170H was a fascinating counter-strategy against the emerging people’s car movement that was sweeping the German and European markets in the 1930s. Launched in 1936, the 170H was designed to offer practical and affordable transportation for the everyday driver in the 1930s, based on a rear engine and rear-wheel drive layout that shared much of the basic structure with the original Volkswagen Beetle (at the time known simply as the “beetle”). Despite its advanced concept however, the unusual rear-engine experiment was not a commercial success during its initial market run (with just over 1,500 examples built) and remains an oddball in that regard, but is very well regarded among diehard vintage car circles for its unconventional engineering. The Mercedes-Benz 170H therefore stood as one of the car company’s more peculiar responses to the burgeoning demand for more practical vehicles during the 1930s.

170H’s Unusual Engineering:

• Introduced in 1936
• Designed for affordable transport
• Rear-mounted engine layout
• Around 1,500 produced
• Now prized by enthusiasts

It is the 170H that is the most intriguing of all this is because Mercedes-Benz was willing to indulge in something radically different from its established luxury car formula. The engine was mounted at the back of the car, and the first transmissions were rear-wheel drive, reminiscent of the wider people’s car movement of the 1930s, and bear the structural concept later adopted by the early Volkswagen Beetle. Mercedes-Benz intended the 170H to be practical, affordable transport, but the commercial failure of the model has been nothing to compare with the high aspirations of the company. Only about 1,500 copies have been made of this model although it might have been a commercial failure, enthusiasts today hold its engineering in high regard, and the rear-mounted engine is a big part of the appeal, making the 170H a celebrated oddball within the world of vintage Mercedes-Benz fans.

7. Mercedes-Benz W105 (219)

Produced 1956-59, the Mercedes-Benz W105 (219) was an unusual transitional model that combined the longer chassis of the upper W180 (220S) with the simpler bodywork of the lower W120 (180D), mounted a smooth inline-6 into that less expensive shell to come up with a very interesting budget luxury car. That’s why so few W105s were built: it was Mercedes-Benz creating a mash-up of the company’s consumer offerings that balanced a lower price point, good driving qualities, and a mostly-upmarket driving feel. Not cheap, but no matching other cars to make the W105 recognizable at first glance.

W105’s Hybrid Construction:

• Produced from 1956–1959
• Used longer W180 chassis
• Simpler W120 body
• Smooth inline-6 engine
• Only a few thousand built

If there was a precursor to the W105, it would have been Mercedes’ ability to take parts from different areas of its model lineup and put them together in a way that is still unusual today. Utilizing the longer W180 (220S) chassis and the styling of the humbler W120 (180D), Mercedes kept the vehicle less glamorous in terms of BMW 501 styling and placement. The transition to a smooth inline-6 elevated the vehicle’s character to something that couldn’t be called a budget luxury vehicle, but one that had incredible mechanical strength and foundations. That it was neither an entry level vehicle nor a typical luxury vehicle accounts for its transitional nature, and only a few thousand were built, with the odd trim detail making surviving vehicles interesting collectors’ items.

8. Mercedes-Benz 260 D

The Mercedes-Benz 260 D, introduced in 1936, is an historic milestone because it’s the first passenger-car to be mass-produced with a diesel engine. Its virtually indestructible 2.6-litre diesel engine earned a reputation for long-distance reliability, and for good economy in the fuel-scarce pre-war world of passenger motoring. The 260 D made clear that diesel power had a practical role in passenger vehicles, and wasn’t something just for trucks and marine engines; they turned out to be a huge success for working taxis and for long-distance touring, for all those reasons. A handful of original 260 D models is all that’s left of the once-unloved and largely ignored model, which is now immensely prized as an artefact of history not only for Mercedes-Benz, but for diesel powertrains in general.

260 D’s Diesel Breakthrough:

• Debuted in 1936
• World’s first mass-produced diesel
• 2.6-litre diesel engine
• Used widely as taxis
• Few intact examples survive

What the 260 D did was change all the calculations and assumptions about what a passenger car could do with a diesel engine. When petrol-powered passenger cars were still the king of the highways, Mercedes-Benz was offering the world a long-lasting 2.6-litre diesel that proved to be both tough mechanically and fuel-efficient. Its usefulness as a taxi was one thing, but its ability to do serious amounts of travel proved the car’s different strengths and Why It’s Important has since been recognized with time that so few pristine original specimens exist. What had been thought of long ago as a passenger car that was slightly overlooked in the grand scheme of diesel passenger-car history is now seen as a major automotive turning point that changed the industry forever.

9. Mercedes-Benz W136 (170V) Utility Models

Most classic-car fans have come across Mercedes-Benz 170V saloons, but fewer are aware of the rather different utilitarian derivatives built on the same W136 chassis during the 1940s and early 1950s. During wartime and the immediate post-war recovery period, Mercedes-Benz introduced a range of construction truck, ambulance and other utility derivatives that played an important role in the search for normality. Civilian workhorses, these body variants proved vital logisticians throughout Europe, handling heavy delivery work and supporting emergency services during a turbulent period in European history.

W136 Utility Heritage:

• Built on W136 chassis
• Pickup variants were produced
• Ambulance versions were available
• Served post-war Europe
• Rare commercial variants attract collectors

The W136 utility models offer a less publicized insight into the history of Mercedes-Benz that can easily be overshadowed by the focus on elegant touring cars. The W136 chassis was adapted to a variety of useful pickup, ambulance and utility body variants during the 1940s and early 1950s, providing post-war Europe with real functionality and practicality. Whether as delivery trucks or emergency ambulances, the utilitarian nature of these vehicles offered the real practical function that could be challenging to maintain without classic Mercedes-Benz style.

10. Mercedes-Benz W194

To the true motorhead purist, the historic Mercedes Benz W194 has a special place in the sun; as it was built as the racing successor to the legendary and iconic 300SL Gullwing in 1952. Built to go racing with a very lightweight spaceframe structure the W194 was created in a very tiny production of only 10 factory cars (compared to 1,400 factory 300SLs), and was designed as a modern racing car suitable for major world events such as Le Mans and the Carrera Panama ran. While the later production Gullwing 300SL was the star of the show in the public eye, the W194 was the technological precursor to that race car, and was the racing back-bone of the 300SL heritage. The W194 was the authentic lightweight, quick-competing pure bred that made the foundation for Mercedes spectacular return to the racing stage.

W194’s Racing Legacy:

• Built as 300SL predecessor
• Created in 1952
• Ultra-lightweight spaceframe chassis
• Only 10 factory examples
• Won major racing events

The W194 is the racing ancestor of one of the most famous of Mercedes-Benz’s later cars. Built to be a racing machine of 1952, the W194 utilized a specialized, even lighter weight, spaceframe chassis to earn its racing fame. With just 10 factory-built machines, they were very limited in what they could have been from the start, but beyond that, the legacy of the Mercedes-Benz racing division after the war elevated its prominence. Its successes at the 24 Hours of Lemans and the Carrera Panamericana cemented the type of racing credibility Mercedes needed to move the company forward, and push them toward the famed 300SL Gullwing subsequent public icon, but it deserves plenty of love for being Mercedes’ racing machine that set the stage.