Tag Archives: Typ

Der Adenauer Daimler – Mercedes-Benz (W186 II) 300 Cabriolet D #02905/52

When Mercedes Benz revived production of automobiles after WW2 it started manufacturing four cylinder vehicles that were a development of the pre war W136 and W153 models which evolved into the short lived W191 in 1952.

The first all new post war Mercedes Benz models were the six cylinder W186 and W187 models launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1951.

Mercedes-Benz (W186 II) Typ 300, Quail Lodge, California,

The larger W186 Typ 300 was powered by a 3 litre / 183 cui overhead cam straight six engine with an iron block and an aluminium head that produced 113hp.

Drawing on pre war racing practice the Typ 300 chassis used ovoid tubes with double wishbone independent front suspension and swing axle independent rear suspension.

Mercedes-Benz (W186 II) Typ 300, Quail Lodge, California,

Germany’s first post war Chancellor Konrad Adenauer used the Typ 300 exclusively during his period of office which ended in 1963 and unofficially lent his name to the model.

He famously loaded one into a Lufthansa aeroplane for his 1955 visit to Moscow which ended in the establishment of full diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union and the release of the last 10,000 German prisoners of war.

Mercedes-Benz (W186 II) Typ 300, Quail Lodge, California,

Today’s featured 300 Cabriolet D left the production line on New Years Eve 1952 complete with high end option Becker Nurburg III valve radio and shipped to New York importer Max Hoffman.

The cars first owner was Mr. Franklin Eli of Buffalo, New York who drove the car over 60,000 miles before putting it in storage in 1969, upon his death in 1999 the car passed to his nephew who began what turned out to be a 12 year restoration.

Mercedes-Benz (W186 II) Typ 300, Quail Lodge, California,

The cars third owner completed the Concours winning restoration in 2012 and the following year offered it at Bonhams Quail auction with an estimated $275,000 – $325,000 price tag.

My thanks to Geoffrey Horton for sharing today’s photographs taken at the Bonhams Quail Auction.

Thanks for joining me on this “Der Adenauer Daimler” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I will be looking at a Delage. Don’t for get to come back now !

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Bertie – Volkswagen Type 1 Oettinger GT TSV

In March 1958 today’s featured Volkswagen Typ 1 1200 deluxe, now known as Bertie the Beetle, was registered and put on the demonstrator fleet of a dealer in Worcestershire before being bought by a customer and run for a year.

Volkswagen Typ 1 Oettinger GT TSV, Bob Beales, Dave Vardy, Rally Day, Castle Combe,

The unknown customer then traded in his ex demonstrator 1200 deluxe with a Volkswagen agent in Leominster, Herefordshire who was just starting to make a name for himself in rallying by the name of Bill Bengry.

Volkswagen Typ 1 Oettinger GT TSV, Bob Beales, Dave Vardy, Rally Day, Castle Combe,

Bill, British Rally Champion in 1960 and 1961 appears to have driven Bertie among his other Beetles in National Rallies with a variety of engines including one from a Porsche 356, other modifications include MAICO front brake disks to cope with the more powerful engine.

Volkswagen Typ 1 Oettinger GT TSV, Bob Beales, Dave Vardy, Rally Day, Castle Combe,

Current owner Bob Bales bought Bertie in 1966 and has competed in rallies, auto cross, autotests and production car trials up to 1980.

Volkswagen Typ 1 Oettinger GT TSV, Bob Beales, Dave Vardy, Rally Day, Castle Combe,

Bob has also fitted Bertie with a variety of VW Typ 1, Typ 3 and Porsche motors.

Volkswagen Typ 1 Oettinger GT TSV, Bob Beales, Dave Vardy, Rally Day, Castle Combe,

Currently Bertie has a 1285 cc / 78.4 cui motor which has Oettinger GT TSV modifications, as used by Pauli Toivonen to win the GT 1300 class in the 90 hour 1964 Spa Sofia Liege rally, that brings the power up to 75hp.

Volkswagen Typ 1 Oettinger GT TSV, Bob Beales, Dave Vardy, Rally Day, Castle Combe,

In Oettinger GT TSV form, now immortalised by none other than Scalextric, Bob competes in historic rally events with VrD Motorsports Dave Vardy who is seen sitting beside Bob in Bertie at Castle Combe’s Rally Day in these photographs.

Thanks for joining me on this “Bertie” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow for Mercedes Monday. Don’t forget to come back now !

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