Mercedes-Benz replaced the N21 model in 1937 with the Typ 230 N, W143 model to make the car attractive for more people, but it was hardly a successful vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz introduced the Typ 230 N on the same chassis as its predecessor and with the same wheelbase, but the bodywork was longer. That led to a somehow disproportionate design with a very long rear overhang. The German carmaker realized that and introduced, as an option, a long-wheelbase version which proved to be more successful on the market. From 1938, Mercedes-Benz dropped the N (short-wheelbase) version.

The bodywork was sleeker than on the N21 model, with a slightly raked, pined-out radiator. Unlike more expensive Mercedes-Benz models, the Typ 230 N featured wheel-arches mounted headlights. At the bottom, its chromed and profiled metallic bumper was completely different than on its predecessor. In the back, the slightly racked-forward rear end made room for a luggage compartment, which was accessible from the outside.

Inside, the car was quite roomy for four adults. Its front, rear-hinged doors helped its occupants get out easier than most of the other four-doors sedans on the market. That was one of the reasons why the special Nazi forces used the Typ 230 N.

Under the hood, the German carmaker installed an inline-six engine with a 2.3-liter displacement, hence the car’s name, that provided 55 hp. It was paired to a four-speed manual gearbox. Mercedes-Benz installed an independent suspension with leaf-springs in all corners to provide more comfort and a better cornering speed.

Mercedes-Benz introduced the Type 230 as a long-wheelbase Type 200 and evolved into one of the most successful ranges before WWII, and the Cabriolet D had unique merit for that.
Just a year after the W143 Series was introduced, Daimler-Benz came with a facelifted version for the entire lineup. That brought a slightly modified pinned-out radiator, and new headlights mounted directly on the front fenders. Along with that, it introduced a four-door, long-wheelbase version of the open-top Type 230, which allowed a comfortable ingress and egress from the vehicle, especially with the top down, for all passengers.

The German carmaker was not at its first four-door open-top vehicle, and its customers awaited that version. While most of the convertibles built by Mercedes-Benz featured two doors and four or five seats, the D-version was offered with four doors. The front-ones were rear-hinged while the rear ones were hinged-forward. Thus, the front occupants had an easier way to step out of the car. Also, that system allowed the driver to quickly step down and open the door for the rear occupants.

Inside, the 230 Cabriolet D was very spacious due to its long wheelbase. The carmaker made a quick-release system for the B-pillar, thus allowing the users to have a completely open area after the windshield.

Under the hood, the German carmaker installed an inline-six engine with a 2.3-liter displacement, hence the car’s name, that provided 55 hp. It was paired to a synchromesh four-speed manual gearbox with direct-drive for the fourth gear. Mercedes-Benz installed a wider track both front and rear and an independent suspension with leaf-springs in all corners to provide more comfort and a better cornering speed.

Mercedes-Benz introduced a facelift for the Typ 230 at the International Motor and Motorcycle Show in Berlin and built the car in two wheelbase options: N and L.
While the N stood for Normal wheelbase, the L stood for the long-wheelbase version. Although those times, official records didn’t refer to them as N or L. That differentiation came later. While the more extended version enjoyed a successful presence on the market, the N was barely sold in 1000 units and forced the carmaker to withdraw it from the price lists silently. Yet, the Cabriolet C was a good offer for those times since it was an open-top premium vehicle with four seats inside.

Along with the facelifted version, the 230 N Cabriolet C received a tilted radiator grille at the front and new headlamps enclosed inside more spherical housings, directly attached to the front fenders on cast legs. The carmaker installed the spare wheels on both sides of the engine compartment, leaving the car’s back only for the trunk. On the sides, the rear-hinged doors eased the ingress and egress, especially for the rear-seat passengers. The removable rag-top stood behind the rear bench when folded.

The cabin was fit for four adults, although it offered limited legroom for the rear ones. Still, it was adequate for short, urban trips or longer journeys with children in the back.

Under the hood, the German carmaker installed an inline-six engine with a 2.3-liter displacement, hence the car’s name, that provided 55 hp. Mercedes paired it to a four-speed manual gearbox. Mercedes-Benz installed an independent suspension with leaf springs in all corners.

Having the same wheelbase size as the long W143 version, the new 230 model was built on completely new chassis with an oval tube structure that increased the car’s torsion rigidity and supported a heavier pay load.
The car was launched with a choice of 6-cylinder 2.2 L gasoline unit delivering 55 hp and was later upgraded to a larger 2.3 L engine with the same power output. Top speed was capped at 72mph(116 kmh), the same limit as seen on the W143 from which it set apart through the lack of a Pullman body type and the introduction of a large boot on nearly all models.

Following the success of the 170 model, MB spawned a newer line-up comprising larger-sized sedans and cabriolets fitted with bigger 6-cylinder engines.
The W143 platform was introduced as a replacement for the previously marketed 230(W21) models, having been built with two wheelbase lengths. The cabriolet B, which received the longer wheelbase, was no different from its predecessors, having been equipped with same straight 6-cylinder 2.3 L petrol unit capable of 55 bhp. However, styling differed from model to model with the B having built as a large 2-door coupe while the D models had other particularities such as styling tweaks or increased seating capacity.

In February 1936 at the Berlin Motor Show, Daimler-Benz presented the 260 D in the form of a six-seater Pullman landaulet, 13 units of which had been built since July 1935.
At the same show, there was the Hanomag Rekord, another diesel-engined passenger car, although this did not go into series production until 1938. Consequently, the 260 D was the world’s first series-produced diesel-engined passenger car. From September 1936, the 260 D was available in more body variants. Apart from the Pullman Landaulet, there were three other versions: a closed Pullman sedan, a four-seater, and a four/five-seater convertible.

In 1937, a facelifted variant was launched with some modifications to the radiator. The headlights were smaller and enclosed in spherical housings, directly attached to the front fenders. That solution led to the dispense of the chrome-plated transverse rod in front of the radiator.

Inside, the 260 D was very spacious due to its long wheelbase. It was offered in various versions, with seating for up to seven passengers. It was mostly used by the cab-companies, proving the fuel-efficiency of the diesel engine.

It featured a 2.6-liter four-cylinder engine that offered 45 hp mated to a four-speed manual transmission with direct-drive fourth gear. By December 1940, 1.967 units of the 260 D, known within the company as the W 138, had been built.

Mercedes-Benz introduced the Type 230 as a long-wheelbase version for the Type 200 in 1936 as a four-door sedan or top-cabriolet.
While the Hindenburg airship took its maiden flight in March 1936, creating a direct flight connection between Germany and the U.S., on the ground, Mercedes-Benz was stronger than ever. It introduced the W143 model in May. Despite the economic depression, the carmaker continued improving its products and developing new models to get more customers.

The carmaker built the W143 with a similar look as the 200. Its tilted radiator was already an established brand image together with the headlights connected via a chromed bar between them. Its designers extended the curved front fenders towards the back of the car, forming two side steps to ease the ingress and egress from the vehicle. Mercedes installed the door-hinges only on the B-pillars. At the back, the trunk included a spare wheel.

Inside, the carmaker installed two individual seats at the front and a bench in the back. Its flat dash panel included the dials in the middle. It was a comfortable, roomy vehicle for five adults. Its four cranked windows allowed the passengers to get more fresh air. A top-cabriolet version was also available.

Under the hood, the German carmaker installed an inline-six engine with a 2.3-liter displacement, hence the car’s name, that provided 55 hp. It was paired to a synchromesh four-speed manual gearbox with direct-drive for the fourth gear. Mercedes-Benz installed a wider track both front and rear and an independent suspension with leaf springs in all corners to provide more comfort and a better cornering speed.