MERCEDES-BENZ, The 1950s, Volume 2: W120, W121, W180, W128, W198

If you want to learn more about the Mercedes cars of the late 1950s, this 290-page book is for you! It gives you all the facts about the four- and six-cylinder Ponton cars and 190SL/300SL series. It explains chassis number and data card in detail and comes with superb recent non-Daimler AG color photos; this includes pictures of the suspensions. These are some of the topics covered:

Development of the 180 W120

The 180a, b, c and diesel versions

The 190, b and diesel versions

The 180 South African pick-up, called “Bakkie"

Development of the 190SL W121

A larger engine is needed

Road testing a 190SL Turbo in 1959

Development of the 220a W180

The 220a, S, SE, with their Cabriolets and Coupes

Development of the 300SL Coupe and Roadster W198

A unique pre-production 300SL roadster, which has miraculously survived in private hands till today

Two famous 300SL owners

The coachbuilders

Racing history of the 180, 190SL, 220a and 300SL

Chassis number and data card explained

Technical specifications and production history of each model

over 200 recent non-Daimler AG color photos highlight many interesting and unique features

A separate chapter covers the careers of Uhlenhaut, Wilfert and Nallinger in the company. Without these gifted managers, who have worked together during almost their entire careers, all these beautiful cars would not have been possible.

Why is this book not available as hard cover? Even today with modern digital printing services available, books with many color photos are expensive to produce. This book comes with over 290 high quality photos, some 200 of them in color, and would cost retail as hardcover version slightly over US$ 75 (or the corresponding amount in £ or €), which the author finds excessive. That is why the choice to offer the more reasonable to produce soft cover option. Thank you for your understanding.