1937 Mercedes-Benz Typ 320 Pullman (W142) 320

Vehicle Overview

Mercedes-Benz introduced the Typ 320 in February 1937 at the International Automobile and Motorcycle Exhibition (IAMA) in Berlin, and in 1939, it offered the most luxurious version: the Pullman.

Designed for those who asked for more luxury and comfort than what Maybach or other top-shelf car manufacturers could offer. The Pullman version distinguished itself from the rest of the W142 lineup with its longer wheelbase and the different bodyworks. Besides the four-door, closed bodywork version, Mercedes-Benz also offered an open-top option for the Pullman, named Cabriolet F.

Unlike other open-top versions of the W142, the Cabriolet F sported a bodywork with four doors and three side windows. At the front, the car sported a front fascia with a pinned-out radiator. In addition, it featured a pair of headlights between the front fenders and the engine compartment, ditching the former solution with the headlamps mounted on a curved cross-bar. The car’s doors were hinged onto the B-post, so the front occupants could quickly get out and open the rear ones for those seated in the back.

Inside, the W142 Pullman Cabriolet F offered up to six seats: two for the driver and side passenger, two rearward-facing jump-seats, and two face-forwarding seats in the back, for the most important occupants of the vehicle. Since it was the most luxurious version of the Typ 320 lineup, the cabin boasted expensive materials such as leather, wood, and chromed parts.

Under the hood, Mercedes-Benz installed its 3.2-liter inline-six powerplant mated to a fully-synchronized four-speed manual transmission with a direct-ratio fourth gear. The front independent suspension featured a leaf spring underneath. At the same time, the rear dual-joint swing axle sported two helical springs on each side. In 1938, Germany limited the high-quality gasoline from the market. Hence, the automaker increased the engine’s displacement to 3.4 liters to provide the same power as before.