Produced from 1929 until 1934, the Mercedes-Benz W11 was a midsize six-cylinder car based on the W02 but with a larger and more powerful 2,581cc engine. Sold as the Mercedes-Benz 10/50 PS and Typ Stuttgart 260 in different markets, these cars would become the first automobiles marketed under the new name of “Mercedes-Benz” and were offered in a variety of different body styles and configurations. This 1930 example is a two-door two-seater Stuttgart 260 Cabriolet C model. It was delivered new on May 13, 1930, to Reutter of Stuttgart for bodywork. The car was bought by Max Garrison while stationed in Germany as a U.S. Air Force medic during the Korean War. He shipped the car back to the U.S. in the 1950s, titling it in North Carolina in 1955. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the car underwent an eight-year restoration that brought it back to its original state. Family-owned for over 70 years and always stored in a climate-controlled environment, this rare pre-war Mercedes-Benz is now being offered for auction by its seller out of North Carolina.
This W11 is presented in a light ivory hue with a two-tone light and dark brown stripe, a black convertible top, black fenders, removable side curtains, wooden running boards, and reddish-orange wheels dressed in whitewall tires along with a matching rear-mounted spare. Brightwork spans the bodywork with a chrome radiator surround, hood ornament, bumpers, windshield surround, and more. Detailed images are provided in the gallery.
The cabin is lined with ash wood floors and features black leather upholstery covering the door panels and bench seat. Accessories include an red-painted dashboard, a wood four-spoke steering wheel, semaphore turn signals, and analog VDO gauges. The seller notes a crack in the wooden steering wheel has been covered with tape.
This Mercedes-Benz is equipped with a 2,581cc M11 inline-six engine rated at 49 HP. The rear wheels are driven through a 3-speed manual transmission and stopping power is handled by mechanical drum brakes. The wheels are fixed to rigid axles suspended from semi-elliptic leaf springs. The seller notes the oil and coolant were changed in 2018 and a new battery was installed in 2021.
This sale will include a spare tire and a clean title.
The seller would like you to know: “We are proud to present this very rare 1930 Mercedes-Benz Stuttgart Cabriolet C. This car has been in the same family since it was purchased in Germany in 1950 and then brought back to North Carolina in 1955. The highlights of this wonderful car and its history are as follows: The Original date of delivery was May 13, 1930. Purchased by Max Garrison while stationed in Germany as a Medic in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. Garrison shipped this vehicle to the United States in the 1950s and titled it in North Carolina in 1955 where it has spent the past nearly 70 years. The car went through an 8-year meticulous restoration from the late 1980s to early 1990s. One family owned for over 70 years. Always stored in a climate-controlled environment. When Daimler and Benz entered into a community of interest in 1924, heated debates between the two companies were almost instantaneous and continual. While a common goal existed between the two companies, a contentious past between them was certain to cause riffs—and it did. Both agreed the company needed to produce a midsized car to service the sizeable and potentially lucrative midsize market, along with commercial, military, and government interests, but reaching that common goal wasn’t going to be simple. The initial effort would be the Stuttgart line of cars offered in various body styles with a 2.0L or 3.0L engine. Introduced at the 1926 Berlin Auto Show, these cars would be the first automobiles marketed under the new name of Mercedes-Benz and would largely become the backbone of the newly formed company’s future successes. Filling the gap between the 2.0L and 3.0L vehicles, in 1929, Mercedes-Benz introduced the Stuttgart 260 with a 2.6L inline 6-cylinder engine. A wonderful sales success, the Stuttgart line ushered the company into a solid future, providing a chassis for a variety of vehicles. This 1930 260 Stuttgart Cabriolet C was delivered new on May 13, 1930, and delivered to Reutter, Stuttgart for bodywork. Powered by the 2.6L engine and a 3-speed manual transmission, the car was bought by Max Garrison while stationed in Germany as a US Air Force medic during the Korean War. He shipped the car to the U.S. in the 1950s, titling it in North Carolina in 1955. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the car underwent an eight-year restoration that brought it back to its original state. Presented in a light ivory hue with black fenders spanned by wooden running boards, the car sports a two-tone light and dark brown stripe and reddish-orange wheels with whitewall tires. Brightwork delicately sprinkles the bodywork with a chrome radiator surround, radiator mascot, chrome bumpers, windshield surround, and more. The interior is upholstered in black, highlighted by an orange dashboard and wooden steering wheel. Nestled within the left and right sides of the windshield surround are semaphore turn signals. Stored in a climate-controlled environment, this 260 Stuttgart presents exquisitely well and is an exciting representation of one of the cars that made Mercedes-Benz a commercial success.”
Comments (27)
Hello everyone! Thanks for all the constructive comments on this rare and special car. It is truly a one of a kind automobile with an amazing history.
Good luck to all!
Marc
I think it’s gonna take a lot more than 40K to meet reserve!
Thought it is unusual for a jump in bidding of that much! Haven't seen it before in any auction I have been involved with.
@Ciemny Nothing funny at all.
Something funny in the $40,000.00 bid!! Hope he gets it!!
Bid in the amount of $40,000
Bid in the amount of $9,250
Bid in the amount of $9,000
Bid in the amount of $8,250
@por356c Thank you for your interest. As far I know these are the original colors and combination. They are the same from when the owner purchased the car in 1952 but obviously all restored. The speedometer and odometer are not working.
Marc
@VintageCarCollector Hello. Thank you for your question. The title is from 1955. The make is Mercedes Benz and the model in Conv. Thank you.
Marc
Bid in the amount of $8,000
Bid in the amount of $5,850
Hello - I have just discovered this auction, so my apologies for this late inquiry. Are the various color combinations exactly as the car came out of the factory? And does everything work properly? Thanks.
Under what make and model is it tiled?
Bid in the amount of $5,500
Bid in the amount of $5,250
Bid in the amount of $5,000
Bid in the amount of $3,750
@needanothercar Hello again and thank you for your question. I think this Mercedes is capable of participating in a rally, but the car has not really been driven that frequently in many years or so since the long term owner passed away and given to his daughter. The car was used sparingly but was maintained. I would say because of this, as with any classic car or one that is 90 plus years old, I would think it would need to be serviced, sorting and all systems gone through to make sure it is safe for longer drives and would be ready to handle that type of rally. As it is now because of the lack of use, it may not be ready for anything other than short drives. However the car does run well, so I don’t think it is far away from being able to participate in a rally. Thanks again.
Marc
There are some rallies that this car meet the age, etc. requirements. In your opinion, could this car achieve 55-60 for 1-2 hours?
@needanothercar Hello. Thank you for your interest. There is nothing wrong with the transmission. The driver hadn't driven this car much before this and really hasn't been driven much in the past few years, so it could have been the driver adapting to the clutch and gearbox. Also keep in mind the transmission and clutch are 1930 technology, so obviously it will not shift like a newer transmission. Thank you sir.
Marc
Is there something wrong with transmission? I noticed a clashing noise when you shifted gears. Clutch? Transmission? Driver?
Additional content has been added to the gallery for this listing.
Hello everyone! Welcome to our auction for this rare and special 1930 Mercedes Benz 260 Stuttgart Cab C. This wonderful car has tremendous history going back to the early 1950s and went through a comprehensive restoration with extensive documentation. Good luck to all and thank you for looking at our beautiful Mercedes Benz.
Bid in the amount of $3,500