Mercedes Benz WS10 15/75hp 370S Mannheim Sport Cabriolet
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Automobilhersteller : |
Mercedes Benz |
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Modell: |
WS10 15/75hp 370S Mannheim Sport Cabriolet |
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Jahr: |
1931-1933 |
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Art: |
Cabriolet |
Shorter still, on a wheelbase of just 2850 mm (112 inches) was the 370S, available only with roadster or sport-cabriolet bodies. The maximum speed on these versions was stated as 115 km/h (71 mph). In 1933 the manufacturers increased the compression ratio from 5.5:1 to 5.75:1 with a corresponding increase in power output to 78 PS (57.3 kW) at 3400 rpm.
Prior to their 1926 merger, Mercedes and Benz were both known for sporting cars, so it was only natural that the post-merger hyphenated marque would continue in that idiom, building on the strength of their combined talents and experience. Of course, thoughts of these efforts can only bring to mind the legendary supercharged SS and SSK models and their eight-cylinder successors. Frequently forgotten though are the touring automobiles that continued to emanate from the Stuttgart factory through World War II.
In contrast to the sports cars, they had side-valve engines, flat radiators, and artillery wheels. They were named for German towns, with the smallest being the Stuttgart and the mid-range being the Mannheim, which is offered here. For 1930, the K variant of the Mannheim 370 was introduced. The 370K, with the “K” for kurt, noting a short wheelbase, was 175 millimeters less than the standard 370, and it was powered by a 3,689-cubic centimeter, side-valve, six-cylinder engine that could produce 74 brake horsepower. It was coupled to a three-speed transmission, which made available a claimed top speed of 105 km/h. For the 370K model, only cabriolet bodies were available from Mercedes’ in-house coach builder at Sindelfingen. As always, customers could purchase the chassis by itself and have another coachbuilder fit a bespoke body.
Both manufacturers were well respected when it came to creating cars of a sporting nature, and it was immediately clear that the union would serve to produce even more sporting automobiles in the future. Of the models created in the years following the merger between Daimler and Benz, the Mercedes-Benz 15/75 HP 370 stands out amongst the rest as one of the most elegant and sporting cars to come out of the factory at Mannheim. These cars helped to pave a clear road for the development of future sporting cars that would wear the three-pointed star. Some of Mercedes-Benz’s most popular and historically significant automobiles, namely the 540 models, owe a part of their development and existence to the 370 models.
The 370 S model utilized the shortest wheelbase when compared to its closest siblings, the 350 and 380 models, as well as the supercharged 370 K. This helped to give the car a much sportier feeling, and as a result, the 370 S was considered to be much more of a driver’s car than something to be chauffeured in. Performance was stately, as it produced a normally aspirated 75 horsepower and had a top speed of 75 mph. This was fast enough to cruise at speed on Germany’s new system of highways, and it was simultaneously comfortable, as the engine was mated to Mercedes’ three-speed manual gearbox with overdrive.
Not only was the 370 S an exciting car to drive, but it was also just as exciting to look at. As per usual with Mercedes-Benz vehicles of that era, the 370 S oozed sophistication and elegance. With a beautiful body that featured flowing wings that juxtaposed with the uniformity of the Mercedes-Benz grille, the 370 S was a thing of beauty, and it is a very elegant car indeed, especially when bodied as a convertible or roadster.
