The Mercedes-Benz W136, first introduced as the 170 V in 1936, was the foundation of the company's post-war recovery. Production restarted in 1946, making it the first passenger car Mercedes-Benz offered after WWII. In 1949, the company introduced the more luxurious and slightly larger W191 170 S. It shared the W136's basic engineering but offered a higher level of appointment and more modern styling, bridging the gap between pre-war designs and the upcoming 'Ponton' models.
Collectors appreciate these cars for their historical significance and durable, pre-war engineering. The market is sharply divided by body style. The elegant and rare 170 S Cabriolet A and Cabriolet B models are the most desirable, trading for significant premiums due to their hand-built quality and open-air motoring experience. Sedans, on the other hand, are far more common and represent an affordable entry point into classic Mercedes ownership, valued for their reliability and classic charm.
The market for the 170 series reflects this wide gulf in desirability. While the average sale price sits around $65,000, this figure is heavily skewed by high-end cabriolet sales. Pristine, expertly restored 170 S Cabriolet A models can reach $200,000, placing them in a different league from the sedans, which often trade for under $30,000. This makes the model name and body style critical factors in determining a car's value.
Buying Tips
- Rust is the primary concern. Thoroughly inspect the floor pans, sills, trunk floor, and around the headlights and fenders.
- Cabriolet models feature a wooden subframe. Check for any signs of wood rot, especially in the A-pillars and door structures, as repairs are specialist work and very expensive.
- Confirm the car's identity. Sedans have been converted into more valuable cabriolets. Verify chassis and body numbers to ensure you're buying a genuine factory convertible.
- The M136 side-valve engine is robust but underpowered. Check for excessive smoke, oil leaks, and listen for bottom-end noise. Parts are available, but a rebuild adds significant cost.
- Small trim pieces, chrome, and interior fittings are notoriously hard to find. A complete car is a much better starting point than a project missing its unique details.
Prices for the 170 series range from approximately $6,600 for project sedans to $200,000 for concours-level cabriolets.
326 Mercedes-Benz W136 & W191 vehicles have been tracked across auctions and listings on Hypercars, with 25 currently live.
Data sourced from Bring a Trailer, Cars & Bids, eBay Motors, PCarMarket, and Collecting Cars. Updated daily.
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