Mercedes-Benz
170 S Cabriolet A (W 136)

Why it matters

The Cabriolet A was the two-seat open version of the 170 S, the model with which Daimler-Benz introduced a new top-class car after the war; it was shown together with the 170 D at the Hannover export fair in May 1949. The archive describes the Cabriolet A as a luxury car that satisfied the highest demands and rounded off the top of the production programme. It was built for only about two and a half years and was succeeded by the 220 Cabriolet A.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

• Mercedes-Benz 170 S Cabriolet A (W 136) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 170 S Cabriolet A)
  Photo: Matti Blume · CC BY-SA 4.0
• Mercedes-Benz 170 S Cabriolet A (W 136) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 170 S Cabriolet A)
  Photo: Matti Blume · CC BY-SA 4.0
• Mercedes-Benz 170 S Cabriolet A (W 136) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 170 S Cabriolet A)
  Photo: Matti Blume · CC BY-SA 4.0
• Mercedes-Benz 170 S Cabriolet A (W 136) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 170 S Cabriolet A)
  Photo: Matti Blume · CC BY-SA 4.0

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

The archive lists the 170 S Cabriolet A (type 136.042) from a pre-production series in May 1949, with standard production from November 1949 until November 1951, and gives a total of 830 cars. The list price in May 1949 was DM 15,800; the four-seat Cabriolet B cost DM 12,850.

Conceptually and stylistically the 170 S was based on the pre-war 230 (W 153), but it had a more powerful engine, an improved front axle and a more spacious body than the 170 V. RM Sotheby's notes that the Cabriolet A closely resembled the 300 S Cabriolet that followed; Bonhams records that both 170 S convertibles together reached only 2,433 cars against almost 40,000 saloons.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

The archive gives the Cabriolet A type number 136.042 and design name W 136 IV; the Cabriolet B is 136.043. The engine is the M 136 III / 136.922 of 1,767 cc, and auction lots show the same pattern in the numbers: chassis numbers of the form 136.042-xxxxx (for example 136.042-02951 and 136.042-1604/51) with engine numbers beginning 136.922. Recorded body dimensions are a 2,845 mm wheelbase, 4,510 mm length and 1,560 mm height; the Cabriolet B is shorter (4,455 mm) but taller (1,610 mm). The A is the two-seat car, whereas the B is the four-seat car with rear seat and rear quarter windows.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   170 S Cabriolet A / W 136 IV, 1949 - 1951 (model page) Level A Mercedes-Benz AG, Mercedes-Benz Public Archive (Classic M@RS)

   • Units produced : 830
   • Engine type : M 136 III / 136.922 (Engine)
   • Configuration : front, longitudinal; vertical (Engine)
   • Number of cylinders / arrangement : 4 / in-line (Engine)
   • Total displacement : 1767 cc (Engine)
   • Bore x Stroke : 75 x 100 mm (Engine)
   • Compression ratio : 6.5 (Engine)
   • Number of valves / arrangement : 1 intake, 1 exhaust / lateral, vertical (Engine)
   • Fuel system : 1 Solex 32 PICB downdraught carburettor (Engine)
   • Rated output : 52 hp at 4000 rpm (Engine)
   • Rated torque : 11.4 mkg at 1800 rpm (Engine)
   • Transmission type : change-speed gear (Transmission and Performance)
   • Gearing : 4-speed manual transmission (Transmission and Performance)
   • Gear ratios : I. 4.025; II. 2.28; III. 1.42; IV. 1.0; R. 3.72 (Transmission and Performance)
   • Final drive ratio : 4375 (Transmission and Performance)
   • Driven wheels : Rear wheels (Chassis and Drivetrain)
   • Frame design : Cruciform oval-tube frame / steel unit body (Chassis and Drivetrain)
   • Front-wheel suspension : double wishbone (Chassis and Drivetrain)
   • Rear-wheel suspension : swing axle (Chassis and Drivetrain)
   • Brake system (foot brake) : hydraulic, acting on front- and rear wheels; four-wheel drum brakes (Chassis and Drivetrain)
   • Steering : Worm-and-lever steering (Chassis and Drivetrain)
   • Wheelbase : 2845 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
   • Length : 4510 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
   • Width : 1684 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
   • Height : 1560 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
   • Front / rear track : 1315 / 1420 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
   • Kerb weight : 1270 kg (Dimensions and Weights)
   • Maximum speed : 120 km/h (Transmission and Performance)
   • Acceleration 0-100 km/h : 32 s (Transmission and Performance)
   • Fuel tank: position / capacity : in the rear / 47 l (Engine)
   • Fuel consumption : 9.7 l (Transmission and Performance)

   Accessed 2026-11-12
2. 2
   Mercedes-Benz Classic M@RS archive – 170 S Cabriolet A Level A

   • 830 cabriolets A

   Accessed 2026-11-12