Highlights

Ultra-rare example of Mercedes-Benz’s first four-cylinder car
Believed to be the only example in the UK
Restored to a high standard, recently recommissioned for the road and regularly MOT tested
A regular entrant in numerous prestigious events and a frequent show-winner, including outright 'Car of Show' at the Classic Motor Show at Birmingham's NEC in November 2021
The subject of several major magazine features, some of which were authored by the vendor
Advisory-free MOT until 18th June 2025

The Appeal

The ‘Streamline Moderne’ movement of the 1930s influenced everything from architecture to household appliances, railway locomotives and of course, motor cars. Speed had become synonymous with modernity, and to go fast, aerodynamically informed designs were essential.

It was predominantly German, Austrian and Czechoslovakian engineers who led the charge, and almost all arrived at the same conclusion: The engine and running gear - traditionally forward mounted - would need to be relocated to the rear of the vehicle. This allowed for a low frontal area, uncluttered by prominent radiator grilles or large bonnets. It was this period that gave us Edmund Rumpler’s Tropfenwagen, Hans Ledwinka’s Tatra 77 and Ferdinand Porsche’s Volkswagen

This was also a time of severe economic hardship so high-end manufacturers were willing to offer more affordable automobiles. That included Mercedes-Benz, a company renowned for the fastest, largest and most opulent vehicles of the era with large six-cylinder engines. Certainly, the W23 project was not the austere “people’s car” championed by the German Reich, but it was still priced more moderately than other Mercedes models, and the resemblance to contemporary Volkswagen and Tatra designs is striking with its rear-mounted 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine.

Nearly a century on, Mercedes’s ‘Heckmotor’ (rear-engined) era is all but forgotten. It wasn’t especially successful in period - 4,298 vehicles were produced between November 1933 and April 1936 - due to a comparatively high purchase price and a misguided air of suspicion surrounding rear-engined cars and their handling characteristics. At launch in 1934, Motor Kritik editor Josef Ganz found the handling ‘different’ but, with excellent traction and braking, entirely satisfactory.

Fortunately, we have this rare survivor of the 130 - believed to be the only one of its kind in the UK. Subject to an extensive restoration some years prior to current ownership, it’s understood the car was put on static display in a museum or collection. That’s ensured its condition is very well-preserved, although the vendor has had to carry out extensive mechanical recommissioning during their ownership since 2020. Since then, the Mercedes has been kept voluntarily MOT tested, in regular use and stored in a dehumidified garage.

It has attended numerous prestigious events, to which it has always been driven, most significantly winning 'Car of Show' outright, at the UK's biggest show by far, the Classic Motor Show at Birmingham's NEC in November 2021, where it also won the Mercedes-Benz Club's own award. It also attended the Hampton Court Concours of Elegance as a Mercedes-Benz Club invitee three years running and won the Marshals' Trophy at the 2024 Daventry Festival, and these trophies will accompany the car.

The Automobile magazine carried a major feature on these cars in its October 2020 issue, authored by the vendor, who also wrote a major follow-up feature on this example in the January 2022 magazine, and it has featured regularly in the club's 'Gazette' and in running reports in Practical Classics.

The vendor has become a renowned expert on these cars and will be glad to explain any aspect of the car's operation to the buyer. They already assist other owners around the world, including two in Kolkata and Malta.

The History and Paperwork

Matching numbers example from the first year of production
Believed to have been delivered new to Switzerland, likely resided in the Frieberg area before the War
Hidden in a cellar during the conflict in Aidlagen and uncovered decades later during renovation work
Restored from derelict condition during the early 1990s - over a thousand hours of work and extensive research
The restoration was completed in 2001 at which time the car won 2nd place (reportedly behind the organiser’s car) at the Ladenburg Museum Summer Festival
Since then, the car has languished in a static collection
The vendor acquired the Mercedes in October 2020 and commenced the aforementioned recommissioning work
In current ownership, it has been in regular use, always MOT tested and kept in a dehumidified garage
Believed to be the only example in the UK
Road registered following a lengthy DVLA process
MOT until 18th June 2025
Improved and cared for by well-known development engineer Tim Bishop, a personal friend of the vendor who looks after all their cars
The vendor has a penchant for unconventional engineering and rear-engines, having kept seven Tatras, along with a new Simca 100, an Alpine GTA, Škoda 120, Chevrolet Corvair
The Mercedes is only being sold due to the recent acquisition of a unique Hotchkiss Grégoire Henri Chapron prototype, always his 'Holy Grail'

Documentation (photographed below) includes:

Copies of numerous magazines in which the car has featured prominently
German TUV and registration documentation
Mercedes-Benz model information data
Previous listing material from when the vendor acquired the car
Various photographs documenting the restoration process
UK V5C and current MOT test certificate

The Condition

Older restoration which continues to present superbly overall and win awards at prestigious events
Period-correct intricate two-tone colour scheme
Relatively modest yet well-appointed cloth interior with neat wooden trims and horn ring steering wheel
The vendor notes some very minor imperfections, but nothing especially noteworthy
Some moth damage to the upholstery
Minimal wear apparent to the upholstery and controls
We understand the cabin electrics to be in good working order

This Mercedes-Benz 130 continues to present beautifully throughout, having benefitted from dry storage since its restoration over two decades ago. As the photographs below and the numerous show wins attest to, this remains a superlative example of the mark with minimal signs of age or wear to report.

The vendor comments:

“Most of these cars had an expensive and complex two-tone scheme, and this example is typical.

Overall, it’s very good, but with a small number of localised raised spots that would benefit from detailing treatment by a specialist. The impression is of a recent sensitive and accurate restoration, even though the work was done nearly thirty years ago.

The underside of this restored car presents virtually as new. The attractive interior has suffered some moth damage, a risk identified in the 1934 drivers' handbook, of which a copy will accompany the car. ”

The Mechanics

1.3-litre longitudinally rear-mounted inline four-cylinder engine (liquid-cooled)
Four-speed manual gearbox: (clutchless overdrive 4th gear)
Carburettor rebuilt
Distributor and voltage regulator rebuilt with modern electrics in the original casings
Brakes refurbished
Working semaphore indicators are accompanied by flashers of appropriately traditional appearance, and emergency four-way flasher circuitry
We’re advised that there is some coolant leakage from old glands in the water pump, so periodic topping-up is required
We’re assured that the engine is smooth and without any smoke and starts immediately in all conditions
Recommissioned and regularly driven and MOT tested throughout present ownership
No advisories to report on the current MOT
Impeccably presented and original-looking engine compartment

When asked how the car drives, the vendor comments:

“Though no racer, the 90-year-old car drives well, cruising up to around 50mph, and has an intriguing gearbox with three conventional gears and a clutchless pre-selector overdrive 4th that works well when understood and mastered.

Two surprising features of a car so old are its effective heater and its steering lock that also isolates the ignition but not cranking. There's a conventional ignition switch and light on the dash, but it is important to not to leave on a multi-position rotary switch on the floor, that enlivens more ancillary functions the farther it is turned, or a flat battery results.”

The vendor will be glad to explain any aspect of the car's operation to the buyer.

BEFORE YOU BUY

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