AutoCult Mercedes-Benz 130 (W23) Cabrio-Limousine (1935) (Germany)

About the Original:

Superlative in a small Size

In the early 1930s, as leading German vehicle constructors of the Third Reich initially had a focus on rear mounted engines regarding the project of a “people’s car”, also the responsible persons of the Swabian Mercedes-Benz factory recognized the future potential of subcompacts. In 1934 the Swabians presented their first rear-wheel drive car.

The public set eyes on the new automobile at the International Motor Show in Berlin for the first time. The type designation read W23 – Type 130. Not only the fact that Mercedes-Benz presented its first subcompact in the company’s history was big news, also the first installation of a four-cylinder straight engine was a novelty. The engine pulled its performance of 26 hp out of exact 1,308 cc into production. Fitted with a 3-speed transmission and an additional overdrive function the subcompact was able to reach a top speed of 92 km/h. The Mercedes-Benz Type 130 had a total length of 4.04 meters and therefore it was the smallest car offered by the Swabian car manufacturer at that time. Nevertheless the subcompact offered a spacious and well-spaced interior. In addition to a classic version with closed body, Mercedes offered also a convertible of the Type 130. In its debut year the car found 2,205 buyers for a sales price of 3,425 Reichsmark. In 1935, 1,781 pieces were manufactured and sold for 3,680 Reichsmark each. Due to a radical reduction of the sales price to 3,200 Reichsmark, it was possible to sell another 311 cars in the last year of production in 1936.

It is possible that the number of around 4,000 manufactured and sold copies creates the impression that the Mercedes-Benz Type 130 was not a great success for Mercedes, but many experts do not see it in this way. For them the Mercedes-Benz Type 130 brought out new and important points to the vehicle development of subcompacts.