1927 Mercedes Benz 8/38 PS

Details

Karl Benz, the father of the motor car, was a visionary and some say a genius. Following the successful patent of his ‘motor car’ in 1886 his revolutionary idea soon became a reality and the first cars were commercially available to the general public in 1888. Throughout the later part of the 1890’s the internal combustion engine evolved quickly and before long these early Benzes became a very practical and reliable form of transport.

Across town another German industrialist Gottlieb Wilhelm Daimler and his business partner Wilhelm Maybach were also developing different types of engines with the idea of fitting them to carriages to develop a new form of transport. Their company, Daimler Motors Corporation, sold their first motor car in 1892.

The German car industry was born and it flourished in the early 1900’s. The tide turned quickly, however, following the outbreak of the first word war in 1914. Over the next four or so years many industries were decimated and whilst both Daimler and Benz went back to producing cars post war, times were tough. A merger between Daimler and Benz would ensure that both companies survived and following a technical co-operation agreement in 1924 the companies formally merged on the 1st July 1926. Mercedes Benz was born!

Subsequently Mercedes Benz went on to build some of the greatest cars of all time. The late 1920’s saw the development of the 630K and the SSK and the 1930’s bought us the mighty supercharged 500K and 540K. In addition to these ‘super cars’ Mercedes Benz also built many different models  – including saloon cars, passenger limousines, sports cars and general touring cars to name but a few. They all had one thing in common . . . the cars from Stuttgart bearing the three pointed star were renowned for their technical innovation, build quality, luxury and performance.

One of the first models built by Mercedes Benz was the Type W2 8/38 PS which was first introduced in 1926. The car was available as a rolling chassis or supplied with a Mercedes Benz built body as either a two or four door limousine (sedan/saloon) or a cabriolet. This model was powered by a side valve six cylinder 1988 cc engine delivered that is a maximum output of 38 PS (being 28 kw or 37 hp) at 3,400 rpm. The engine was mated to a three speed manual transmission and the car featured braking to all four wheels. The car was capable of a top speed of 75 km/h (47 mph).

Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale a 1927 Mercedes Benz 8/38 PS.

This particular car was built as right hand drive and it was collected new from the Mercedes Benz factory in Germany in 1927 and brought out to Australia with its proud new owners. Incredibly the car was retained in this family for the next 89 years!

The registration sticker on the windscreen is from 1987, suggesting the car was last registered and possibly driven some 30 years ago.

Today the car is best described as an incredible barn find come preservation car. Apart from the carpets and radiator cap it looks to be totally original in every regard . . . including the paint and trim which looks to be untouched from when it rolled off the production line all those years ago in Germany. A picture says a thousand words and the detailed suit of photographs show the car as presented today.

In addition to being a right hand drive this car has two other unique features being a sliding roof and wire wheels.

When found the engine was not running, however, a preliminary inspection indicates it to be in generally good condition and it looks to be a relatively simple exercise to recommission it. The car shifts easily in and out of each gear and it rolls freely confirming the brakes are not locked solid. It is the current owner’s intent to have the engine running and the car driving to hand over to its new owner. Specific details can be discussed and agreed. This process will commence shortly, however, the owner is open to negotiating a sale of the car on an ‘as is, where is’ basis in the short term.

The Victorian registration plate 72882 fitted to car is not included with the car at the price offered, however, it is available for purchase with the car by negotiation.

This can only be described as an incredibly unique opportunity.

 

 

 

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