1930

This 1930 Mercedes-Benz Stuttgart 260 10/50 HP is said to have been delivered in May 1930 to Karosseriewerk Reutter in Stuttgart, Germany, where it was fitted with roadster coachwork. The car was purchased by a US Air Force medic stationed in Germany in the 1950s and was imported to the US upon the serviceman’s return to North Carolina, where it has since remained in the same family. A refurbishment performed in the late 1980s and early 1990s included a repaint in ivory with black fenders, the addition of wood running boards, and a re-trim of the bench seat in black leather. Power is provided by a 2.6L L-head inline-six that breathes through a single Solex carburetor and is mated to a three-speed manual transmission. Additional features include mechanically actuated four-wheel drum brakes, orange-painted 20” pressed-steel artillery wheels, a central lubrication system, and a black convertible top with matching side curtains. This W11 is now offered on dealer consignment with historical photos, documentation from the refurbishment, and a clean North Carolina title. Mercedes-Benz unveiled its 8/38 HP two-liter model in 1926 as an entry in the mid-size segment, and in late 1928 updated the platform’s nomenclature to include the “Stuttgart” name. In 1929 the Stuttgart 200 was joined by the larger-displacement 10/50 HP 260, which shared the earlier model’s range of open and closed body styles. This example’s Reutter roadster bodywork underwent various repairs during the eight-year refurbishment completed in the 1990s, at which time it was repainted in ivory with brass shoulder-line accents and black fenders. Wood running boards were added during the project in lieu of metal panels. Additional features include a honeycomb radiator with a chrome shell, a canted windshield hosting trafficators, chrome front and rear bumpers, a black convertible top with a long oval window, and matching side curtains. The right headlight has a cracked lens and does not work. Orange-painted pressed-steel artillery wheels are wrapped in 5.25/5.50-20 Lester wide-whitewall tires, as is a spare secured to the rear of the body. Stopping is handled by rod-actuated duo-servo drum brakes at each corner. The cockpit houses a single bench seat trimmed in black leather, while color-matched upholstery covers the door panels. Additional features include painted wood floors, door pockets, and an orange-painted dash with dual cubbies. The wood-rimmed steering wheel sits ahead of VDO instrumentation including a 120-km/h speedometer, a clock, and gauges monitoring oil pressure and fuel level. The five-digit odometer shows 4k kilometers (~2,500 miles), and true mileage is unknown. The selling dealer notes that the gauges are not working and will need to be serviced. The 2,581cc inline-six incorporates a seven-bearing crankshaft, a detachable cylinder head, side valves, a single Solex sidedraft carburetor, coil and distributor ignition, and a generator. Output was factory rated at 50 horsepower. Service in preparation for the sale is said to have included an oil change, a coolant flush, and replacement of the battery. The selling dealer notes that the car has not been driven extensively during the past five years and should be gone through prior to extensive touring use. Results of a compression test performed in preparation for the sale can be viewed in the photo gallery below, and footage of the car running and driving is included in the video gallery. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a floor-shifted, non-synchromesh three-speed manual transmission. Suspension comprises solid axles and semi-elliptical leaf springs at both ends with lever-arm hydraulic shock absorbers up front and tubular shocks at the rear. Photographs from of the car during its seven-decade history under current family ownership are included in the sale along with images from the refurbishment performed during the 1980s and ’90s. The North Carolina title is dated February 25, 1955, and lists the car’s engine number, U82789, and identification number, 53101, both of which are stamped on the chassis tag.