Following the merger of Daimler and Benz in June 1926, Hans Nibel, creator of the legendary 200 horsepower 'Blitzen Benz', took over sole responsibility as Technical Director on 1st January 1929, having shared the post with Ferdinand Porsche since the two companies' amalgamation.

Although the firm's large supercharged models attracted the headlines, the 'bread-and-butter' Stuttgart was of far greater commercial importance, and it was Porsche's perceived failure to get it right that contributed to his resignation in 1928.

Revised by Nibel after Porsche's departure, the Stuttgart in its many forms would go on to become the backbone of Mercedes-Benz production and a huge success.

Nibel also improved another of Porsche's designs, the mid/upper range Mercedes-Benz 300, which had been introduced at the 1926 Berlin Motor Show.

Massive and lumbering, the 300 was extensively revised by Nibel, emerging smaller, lighter and with more attractive styling.

Given the name 'Mannheim', this new mo...