Mercedes 1951 | Return to the international stage with two passenger cars

Mercedes-Benz 220 Coupé (W 187). Photo from 1953. (Photo signature in the Mercedes-Benz Classic archive: 60339)

Stuttgart. In 1951, no less than two passenger cars marked Mercedes-Benz’s successful return to the automotive industry’s international, post-war stage. Seventy years ago, the 300 (W 186) and 220 (W 187) models marked a genuinely fresh start. At the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt/Main, between 19 and 29 April 1951, what was Daimler-Benz AG at the time showcased both innovations and thus impressively marked its return with two new, top-notch automotive developments. Up to this point, the company had been producing pre-war-era vehicles, some featuring minor updates – e.g. the 170 S (W 136), launched in 1949.

The design stage of both vehicles started in 1948 and completing it took considerable effort. Since the end of the war in 1945, the company had laid down groundwork to relaunch plants and production systems. Pivotal executives were also able to once again carry out their activities following denazification, for instance CEO Dr Wilhelm Haspel, Member of the Board of Management Responsible for Development Prof. Dr.-Ing. h.c. Fritz Nallinger and Head of Passenger Car Development Rudolf Uhlenhaut. However, this period of time was far from being a bright era: new production machinery, materials from steel sheets to drawing paper and pencils as well as supplies were still scarce. In winter staff members usually kept warm in their poorly heated offices and production