MERCEDES-BENZ The 1930s eight-cylinder cars, part 1: From the 460, 500, 380 to the 770 and G 4

THE MERCEDES 460, 500, 380, 770, and G4 Geländewagen The Pinnacle of Early Mercedes-Benz Engineering The Mercedes 460 Nürburg was Daimler-Benz’s first series-produced eight-cylinder passenger car. It was followed by the more powerful 500 and 500 N, while the supercharged 380 introduced a new generation of prestigious Mercedes-Benz automobiles with more modern chassis engineering. In 1930, Daimler-Benz presented the mighty 770, conceived as the ultimate expression of engineering, craftsmanship, comfort, and social standing. It became one of the most imposing and expensive European automobiles of its era. The extraordinary six-wheeled G4, meanwhile, was produced in very small numbers and was used primarily by senior government officials and military commanders during the Third Reich. This revised and expanded 260-page volume documents the development and history of these remarkable automobiles. More than 280 illustrations provide an exceptionally detailed visual record of models that have often survived only in rare factory photographs, advertisements, damaged prints, period publications, and private archives. The book explains their engines, chassis construction, suspension systems, technical development, factory body styles, and the numerous individually commissioned bodies created by German and international coachbuilders. The book covers: • The 460 Nürburg W08 Its development, engineering, factory body styles, and early competition history. • Individually coachbuilt 460 Nürburg models Special bodies created by Auer, Baur, Erdmann & Rossi, Gläser, Reutter, Weinberger, and other coachbuilders. • The 500 Nürburg, 500, and 500 N The further development of the W08 series and its increasingly exclusive factory and custom-built bodies. • The 380 model series The 380S Mannheim W10, 380S W18, and technically advanced 380 W22, including their engines, chassis designs, and model differences. • Special-bodied 380 models Coachwork by Authenrieth, Gläser, Langenthal, and other German and international specialists. • The prestigious 770 W07 Its engineering, factory models, special-purpose versions, and numerous individually commissioned bodies. • The technically advanced 770 W150 The completely redesigned successor to the W07, including its chassis, suspension, engines, factory bodies, and armored versions. • Exceptional one-off automobiles The unique Keibl and Sodomka-bodied 770s. • The six-wheeled G4 Geländewagen W31 Its construction, technical development, surviving examples, and historical use. An important resource for collectors and enthusiasts This book combines detailed technical and model history with rare period material and extensive coverage of little-known coachbuilt automobiles. It offers collectors, historians, restorers, and Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts a closer look at the craftsmanship, engineering, and individual body designs that made these early eight-cylinder models so exceptional. Many surviving period photographs were digitally restored, sharpened, and colorized for publication. In selected illustrations, an original historical vehicle was placed in a newly created, historically plausible setting. These reconstructed scenes are intended to bring the automobiles and their era to life and do not claim to reproduce the documented original location. The image-restoration and reconstruction process is explained in detail at the end of the book. Bernd S. Koehling has been involved with Mercedes-Benz automobiles since the 1970s and is the author of more than 25 books and e-books on the marque. Further down on this product page, you will find additional information, more photographs, and selected content from the book.