1932 MERCEDES BENZ “Grosser Mercedes” Cabriolet C (W07) 770 Kompressor

Vehicle Overview

Two years after the introduction of the Grand Mercedes, the German carmaker opened the orders for a few more convertible versions. Among them was the sporty Cabriolet C.

In 1930, Mercedes-Benz unveiled the Typ 770 (W07) at the Paris Motor Show. The carmaker aimed to regain the crown as the most exquisite car on the market. This title was previously gained by another German carmaker, Maybach. However, unlike its main rival, the three-pointed-star brand expanded the lineup with more vehicles, apart from those sold as chassis-only vehicles.

The Cabriolet C used a shortened chassis than the full-size 770, and it is one of the rarest W07 built. It sported the same V-shaped radiator at the front as a distinctive lineup feature. Mercedes-Benz installed a metallic bumper in front of the wheels, welded onto the chassis’ endings. The car’s ragtop could fold behind the cabin. It was protected by an additional cover to protect it from the sun when retracted.

Mercedes-Benz made the Cabriolet C with four seats and front-hinged doors. The interior sported a pair of seats at the front and a bench in the back. The latter could fold down and reveal the rear-mounted trunk accessible from the cabin. Like its siblings, the car was finished with leather upholstery and wood trims on the dashboard and door cards.

All Cabriolets were fitted with the supercharged inline-eight powerplant built by the carmaker. Thus, it tried to compensate for the lack of four cylinders when compared to Maybach’s V12. The 200 PS (197 hp) engine was paired to a three-speed manual gearbox and a two-speed transfer case, leading to a total of six gears. Moreover, it even featured an overdrive to stay at low revs at the high speeds of the Germans’ motorway called Autobahn.