Mercedes-Benz Typ 290 (long chassis) from 1937 with 68 HP

Mercedes-Benz Typ 290 (long chassis) from 1937 with 68 HP (6 cylinders, 2.8 L, 110 km/h) in Moscow

The Mercedes-Benz W18 was a six-cylinder automobile introduced as the Mercedes-Benz Typ 290 in 1933. It was a smaller-engined successor to the manufacturer’s Typ 350 / 370 Mannheim model. In terms of the German auto-business of the 1930s it occupied a market position roughly equivalent to that filled by the Mercedes-Benz E-Class in the closing decades of the twentieth century. The W18 was replaced in 1937 by the manufacturer’s W142 (Typ 320).

Several different models with names incorporating the number “290” were produced by Mercedes-Benz during the 1930s, so that for the avoidance of ambiguity the car is frequently identified using the manufacturer’s Works Number as the Mercedes-Benz W18.

Mercedes-Benz Typ 290 (long chassis) 1934–1937

A year after the appearance of the shorter-bodied car, a longer 3,300 mm (130 in) wheelbase became available. All the body types offered for the shorter car were now also offered for the longer one. In addition there was a six-seater “Pullman-Limousine” and a cabriolet version of the six-seater-bodied car designated the “Cabriolet F”. A “Roadster” cabriolet was added in 1936.

Long chassis cars came with different transmission ratios whereby the 1:1 ratio matched fourth gear and there was no overdrive. The final drive ratio was also raised for the longer cars.

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