1934 MERCEDES BENZ Typ 500 K Cabriolet C (W29) 500 Kompressor

Vehicle Overview

Mercedes-Benz introduced the W29 range in 1934, and, besides the regular sedans and coupes, it also produced a few convertible versions.

After the Great Depression, the German carmaker tried to recover and introduced seven versions for the W29 lineup in June 1934, six with a bodywork provided by Mercedes-Benz and a chassis-only version. The Cabriolet C was one of them and was offered as a 2+2 open-top grand tourer built for the new Autobahn (highway) network.

Built on top of the longer wheelbase version, the Cabriolet C sported a V-shaped radiator surrounded by a chromed rim. In front of it, the carmaker installed two main headlights and a third, center-mounted headlamp on a curved slat supported by the front fenders. The bumper was mounted directly on the chassis endings, thus providing a higher level of safety for the car’s occupants. In addition, Mercedes-Benz installed two spare wheels on the sides of the long engine compartment. Finally, to further enhance the aerodynamics, the windshield was tilted.

Inside, the carmaker installed a pair of bucket seats at the front and a bench for two in the back. Even though it was not very roomy, the cabin was luxurious, featuring leather upholstery and wood trims. The dashboard sported the main dials in the middle.

Under the hood, the carmaker installed a supercharged inline-eight powerplant. Its five-liter displacement provided 160 PS (158 hp), which were sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. The gearbox featured a semi-automatic gearshift that allowed switching from third to fourth (overdrive) without using the clutch.