After the introduction of the Mercedes-Benz 130 model in 1934, Daimler-Benz engineers had been scrambling to improve its handling and reduce its tendency to over-steer in corners. The car's instability was the direct result of the choice of an upright water-cooled four-cylinder engine mounted behind the axles, when the car had originally been designed for a flat-four air-cooled motor. The 130 model went through three generations of suspension improvements before the model was retired in April 1936, after 4,298 cars had left the factory.
In February 1936, the completely redesigned Mercedes-Benz 170H was unveiled at the Berlin Motor Show. The new car benefited from the lessons learned from the 130, with redesigned suspension, double acting shock absorbers on the rear, a larger, better engine and overall better fittings. Streamlining was much improved over the somewhat angular 130. Motoring journalists praised the new car for its innovation and improved handling, but over-steer remained a problem for the unwary driver. Despite all the improvements, the 170H was never able to secure its market and only 1,507 cars were built before the model was withdrawn in October 1939.
1934 Mercedes-Benz 130 Brochure: https://heinkelscooter.blogspot.com/2025/02/1934-mercedes-benz-130.html
1935 Mercedes-Benz 150 H: https://heinkelscooter.blogspot.com/2025/02/1935-mercedes-benz-150-h.html
Mercedes Classics History: http://mercedesclasicos.com/19_mercedes_benz_130h-170h.html
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