Mercedes-Benz W136

Mercedes 170 V
4-door Mercedes-Benz 170 V
Overview
ManufacturerMercedes-Benz
Production1935–1955
1935–1942: 75,006 units
1947–1955: 83,190 units
Assembly
Body and chassis
ClassMid-size luxury / Executive car (E)
Body style4-door sedan
4-door Cabrio-Limousine
2-door 2 & 4 seater cabriolets
2-door roadster
2-door pickup
4-door van
LayoutFR layout
Powertrain
Engine
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,845 mm (112 in)
Length4,270 mm (168.1 in) [1]
Width1,570 mm (62 in)
most pre-war body types
1,580 mm (62 in)
most post-war body types
1,630 mm (64 in)
from 1950
Chronology
PredecessorMercedes-Benz W15
SuccessorMercedes-Benz W120/W121
Mercedes-Benz W191

The Mercedes-Benz W136 was Mercedes-Benz's main line of inline-four cylinder motorcars from the mid-1930s into the 1950s. The model 170 V made its public debut as successor to the W15 Typ 170 in February 1936. Between 1936 and 1939 it was Mercedes' top selling model.[2][3]

Between 1936 and 1942 over 75,000 were built[4] making it by far the most popular Mercedes-Benz model up till that point.

Enough of the W136's tooling survived Allied bombing during World War II (or could be recreated post-war) for it to serve as the foundation upon which the company could rebuild. By 1947 the model 170 V had resumed its place as Mercedes' top-seller, a position it held until 1953.[2]

The "V" in the 170 V's name was an abbreviation of "Vorn" (front), added to differentiate it from the contemporary rear-engined Mercedes-Benz 170H (W28) ("H" for "Heck", rear) which used the same four cylinder 1697cc engine, but positioned at the back of the car.