Schuco 1:43 Mercedes Benz 170V Blue

The Mercedes-Benz 170 V (W136) debuted on 15 February 1936 at the International Motor and Motorcycle Show in Berlin. As the successor to the Typ 170 (W15), it became Mercedes’ best-selling passenger car before the war. The ‘V’ stands for ‘Vorn’ (engine at the front) and distinguishes the model from the contemporaneous 170 H. The first production phase ran from 1936 to 1942; in 1946 Mercedes resumed production, making the 170 V the car that restarted the company’s post-war passenger car programme.

Technically, the 170 V used the side-valve four-cylinder M136 of 1.7 litres. Output was 38 hp at around 3,400 rpm, coupled to a four-speed manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive. The body range was extensive: closed saloon, four-door cabrio-limousine, two- and four-seat cabriolet, roadster and light commercial vehicles such as van and pick-up. Produced in large numbers, the model formed the backbone of the range.

After 1946, the 170 V remained a core model. In 1949 the 170 D with OM636 diesel engine was introduced. In May 1950 improvements followed: an enlarged 1.8-litre M136, widened rear track, telescopic shock absorbers, stronger brakes and a wider interior; the boot lid also became accessible from outside. In 1952 further changes arrived (including one-piece bumpers and horizontal louvres). Production ended in August 1953, when the Ponton W120/W121 models took over; assembly also took place outside Germany, including in Buenos Aires.

For collectors, the 170 V is relevant for its combination of pre-war engineering and post-war continuity, and for its broad body style range including commercial variants. The 1:43 scale model of the 170 V is produced by Minimax for Schuco within the Pro.R32 small-series line. This version fits into collections focused on German mid-size saloons from 1936–1953 and illustrates the transition from pre-war to post-war Mercedes designs.