This 1950 Mercedes-Benz 170 S is one of just over 1,600 Cabriolet B four-seat convertibles manufactured during three years of production. It underwent a refurbishment in 1988 and was purchased in 1994 by the current owner’s father, who subsequently showed the car at a number of Concours d’Elegance events in the Midwest from the 1990s to the 2010s. The car is finished in brown and cream over tan leather upholstery, and power comes from a 1,767cc L-head inline-four paired with a floor-shifted four-speed manual transmission. Equipment includes a single Solex downdraft carburetor, coil-sprung suspension with a double-wishbone front setup and a swing-axle rear assembly, four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes, painted steel wheels, driving lights, and a tan convertible top with chrome landau bars. Service performed in 2024 included the installation of a brake master cylinder, hoses, and shoes, as well as a rebuild of the carburetor and a cleaning of the fuel tank. This W136 cabriolet was inherited by the owner in 2024, and it is now offered on dealer consignment in Sylvania, Ohio, with a set of three fitted suitcases, literature, service records, car show memorabilia, and a clean Michigan title in the owner’s name.
The 170 S model was unveiled in May 1949 at the Hannover Technical Export Fair alongside the more utilitarian 170 D as the first new passenger car models introduced by Mercedes-Benz following World War II. The 170 S rode on underpinnings derived from the prewar 170 V, but with a more powerful variant of the engine, a coil-sprung wishbone front suspension, and a roomier body with styling based on the 230 luxury model. In addition to a four-door saloon, the 170 S was offered in both two- and four-seat cabriolet variants.
This example is finished in two-tone brown and cream and features bright bumpers and trim, driving lights, cowl-mounted turn signals, rear-hinged doors, and a tan convertible top with landau bars.
Cream-painted steel wheels wear bright trim rings and Mercedes-Benz-branded hubcaps with brown centers, and they are mounted with BFGoodrich Silvertown bias-ply whitewall tires. Braking is handled hydraulically by drums all around, and a replacement master cylinder, hoses, and shoes were installed in September 2024.
The cabin features front bucket seats and a rear bench trimmed in tan leather along with matching door panels. Brown square-weave carpets line the floors, and additional equipment includes wood dash and door trim, a glovebox, and plexiglass sun visors.
The ivory-color steering wheel features a bright horn ring, and it frames VDO instrumentation including a 140-km/h speedometer, a clock, and combination gauges showing oil pressure, coolant temperature, and fuel level. The five-digit odometer shows 2k kilometers (~1,200 miles), a few of which were added under current ownership. Total mileage is unknown.
The 1,767cc M136 inline-four is a higher-displacement derivative of the powerplant used in the 170 V and was factory rated at 52 horsepower and 82 ft-lb of torque. Features include a detachable aluminum cylinder head and a downdraft Solex carburetor that was reportedly rebuilt in preparation for the sale.
Power is sent to the rear wheels via an all-synchromesh four-speed manual transmission and a rear swing axle with a 4.375:1 ratio. Coil springs and telescopic shock absorbers are utilized as part of both the rear suspension and the double-wishbone front setup, the latter of which incorporates an anti-roll bar. The fuel tank was cleaned in 2024, and corrosion is noted underneath.
The three-piece set of fitted luggage can be seen above, while included literature and car show memorabilia are presented in the gallery.