Beschreibung:

2,229cc Side-Valve Inline 6-Cylinder Engine Single Solex 30 JFFK Carburetor 54bhp at 3,600rpm 4-Speed Manual Gearbox 4-Wheel Independent Suspension with Front Dual Transverse Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs 4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes *One of less than 30 230N Roadsters believed to have been produced *Only about half a dozen survivors *Largely restored *A rare and desirable pre-WWII disappear top Mercedes THE 230N With the market for its luxury models hard hit by the post-Wall Street Crash Depression, Mercedes-Benz sought to establish itself in the medium-priced family car market sector with a range of new models designed by one of the most gifted automobile engineers of his generation - Hans Nibel. Introduced in 1936, the Type 230 was fourth in this series of Nibel designs that would form the mainstay of Mercedes-Benz production in the difficult years of the mid-1930s. The first of this line - the Type 170 - had appeared in 1931. Although outwardly of conservative appearance, the revolutionary 170 embodied Nibel's advanced ideas on chassis design, featuring a box-section frame with independent suspension all round and four-wheel hydraulic brakes that set new standards of ride comfort and safety. It was also competitively priced for a six-cylinder car and suited the prevailing market conditions, being compact and economical yet constructed to Mercedes-Benz's traditionally high standard. The 170 was a huge success and spawned a family of larger-engined, more-powerful models, including the 200 (1932) and 230 (1936), the latter being a modernized and re-styled version powered by a 2.3-liter, 55bhp, sidevalve six. In 1937, the 200 and 230 (W21) were replaced by the 230 (W143) whose engine had already been used in the predecessor model. Two different chassis designs were employed; long-wheelbase tourers and limousines using a box-section frame while the short-chassis cars employed an oval-tube backbone. Production ceased in 1939 after 24,500 230s of all types had been built. THE MOTORCAR OFFERED Virtually every variant imaginable was offered on the W143—including coupe, sedan, cabriolet, sedan convertible, landaulet, Pullman-Limousine, and even a 6-seat Tourwagen. But the rarest and most attractive body by far was the Roadster. Featuring svelte lines and a disappearing top, the Roadster costs some 5,000 Reichsmarks—about $2,000 in 1937—and offered the peak of German luxury in a relatively compact package. Drawing clear inspiration from the 540K Special Roadster—of which 58 examples were produced, the 230 n Roadster was by far the rarest body style with only about 30 examples rolling off the Manheim production line. This example is one of only about six or seven that survive to this day. Acquired by the vendor several decades ago, it was in the process of being restored to its former glory when bad health put a stop to forward progress. Finished in chocolate brown over white with beige leather, it is largely finished but requires final assembly and fitting. Sidelined for some time now, it is a sure to benefit from the care and attention that an able new owner can provide. Among one of the only examples of its type in the United States, it is surely the most attainably priced pre-WWII Mercedes-Benz Roadster out there. With a bit of elbow grease, assembly, and effort, there is little doubt that the new owner will have a rare and special car to wow show goers and judges alike.