1937 MERCEDES BENZ Typ 320 Cabriolet D (W142) 320 (3.4 L)

Vehicle Overview

After the world economic crisis from the beginning of the ’30s, Mercedes-Benz started to expand again and introduced the Typ 320 lineup in a few shapes and sizes.

The carmaker made the new lineup with a choice of two wheelbases, as a closed or an open-type bodywork. That helped the German carmaker to offer the vehicle as a sedan, coupe, and convertible with two or four doors, such as the Cabriolet D, which was built on the longer version of the chassis, carried over from the Typ 290.

Imagined as a luxurious and fast vehicle, the Cabriolet D featured the new V-shaped radiator at the front flanked by the headlights. These were no longer mounted on a cross-bar in front of the radiator but between the fenders and the tall engine compartment. Its curved, exposed fenders were shorter to accommodate the spare wheels mounted on the sides and continued by the car’s side steps. The open-top Cabriolet D featured cranked side windows for everyone. At the back, the carmaker installed a lockable trunk with shelves for luggage.

Thanks to the four-door bodywork, the ingress and egress were easy. Moreover, the driver’s seat could have been tilted forward to help access both seats on the rear bench. Like its siblings, the Cabriolet D featured a four-spoke steering wheel, and the instrument panel was located in the middle of the dashboard.

Under the hood, Mercedes-Benz installed a 3.2-liter engine that was later on replaced by a 3.4-liter unit. Both versions were mated to a four-speed manual gearbox.