Introduced in 1932, the 200 was the second of designer Hans Nibel’s new models that would form the mainstay of Mercedes-Benz production in the difficult Depression years of the mid-1930s.

Creator of the legendary 200 horsepower ‘Blitzen Benz’, Nibel had taken over responsibility as Technical Director of Daimler-Benz on 1st January 1929, having shared the post with Ferdinand Porsche since the amalgamation of Daimler and Benz in June 1926.

The first of Nibel’s new line, the 170, had appeared in 1931.

Although outwardly of conservative appearance, the 170 incorporated a new chassis featuring all-independent suspension, shared with Mercedes-Benz’s rear-engined models, that set new standards of ride comfort and safety.

It was also competitively priced for a six-cylinder car and suited the prevailing market conditions, being compact and economical yet constructed to Mercedes-Benz’s traditionally high standards.

The 1,692cc, four-bearing, sidevalve engine produced 32bhp and drove via a t...