Rare Car Archive

Makes › Mercedes-Benz Germany › 170 › 170 S Cabriolet B (W 136) · Rare specification · 1949–1951 Rare

Mercedes-Benz
170 S Cabriolet B (W 136)

Four-seat cabriolet B version of the 170 S.

Mercedes-Benz 170 S Cabriolet B (W 136) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 170 S Cabriolet B)
Mercedes-Benz 170 S Cabriolet B (W 136) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 170 S Cabriolet B)
Photo: Tsungam · CC BY-SA 4.0
1,603BuiltFactory reported
0Chassis documentedin this archive
?SurvivingNot yet verified
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
1,603 Built
Years
1949–1951
Engine
Front, longitudinal; vertical; 4-cylinder in-line · 1,767 cc / 1.8 LFactory: 1,767 cc
Power
38.8 kW / 52.7 PSFactory: 52 hp · converted
Top speed
120 km/hFactory: 120 km/h
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Not yet verified
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
Not yet verified

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The Cabriolet B was the four-seat convertible of the 170 S range and the more numerous of the two open bodies: 1,603 were built against 830 of the two-seat Cabriolet A. Together the two convertibles ran for only about two and a half years, from 1949 to 1951, until the 220 convertibles succeeded them.

How rare is it?

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

Model rarityNot yet assessed
Specification rarityRare 1,603 · Built1,2
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

  • Mercedes-Benz 170 S Cabriolet B (W 136) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 170 S Cabriolet B)Mercedes-Benz 170 S Cabriolet B (W 136) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 170 S Cabriolet B)
    Photo: Tsungam · CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Mercedes-Benz 170 S Cabriolet B (W 136) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 170 S Cabriolet B)Mercedes-Benz 170 S Cabriolet B (W 136) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 170 S Cabriolet B)
    Photo: Tsungam · CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Mercedes-Benz 170 S Cabriolet B (W 136) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 170 S Cabriolet B)Mercedes-Benz 170 S Cabriolet B (W 136) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 170 S Cabriolet B)
    Photo: Staffan Andersson · CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Mercedes-Benz 170 S Cabriolet B (W 136) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 170 S Cabriolet B)Mercedes-Benz 170 S Cabriolet B (W 136) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 170 S Cabriolet B)
    Photo: Spurzem - Lothar Spurzem · CC BY-SA 2.0

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

What is countedFigureBasisStatus
Factory package productioncabriolets B 1,6031,2 Factory production Factory reported

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 B (type 136.043) from a pre-production series in May 1949, with standard production from November 1949 to November 1951. The list price was DM 12,850 in May 1949 and DM 12,500 from January 1950; the Cabriolet A cost DM 15,800.

The 170 S used a 1,767 cc four-cylinder engine with 52 hp, a four-speed gearbox, double-wishbone front suspension and a swing rear axle. RM Sotheby's describes the convertibles as scaled-down counterparts of the larger 300 S, and Bonhams puts combined convertible output at 2,433 cars against almost 40,000 saloons.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard 170 S Cabriolet B (W 136).

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyNot yet verified
Engine codeM 136 III / 136.9221
LayoutFront, longitudinal; vertical; 4-cylinder in-line1
Cylinders41
Displacement 1,767 cc / 1.8 LFactory: 1,767 cc1Archive adds: tax classification 1755 cc.
Bore 75 mmFactory: 75 mm1
Stroke 100 mmFactory: 100 mm1
Compression ratio6.5:11
Valvetrain1 intake, 1 exhaust valve per cylinder, lateral, vertical; 1 lateral camshaft driven by spur gears1
Fuel system1 Solex 32 PICB downdraught carburettor1
Power 38.8 kW / 52.7 PSFactory: 52 hp · converted1Rating: manufacturer
Power at 4,000 rpm1
Torque 112 Nm / 11.4 kgmFactory: 11.4 kgm1Archive prints the unit as mkg (metre-kilograms, kgm).
Torque at 1,800 rpm1

Transmission & drivetrain

GearboxManual change-speed gear; dry single-disc clutch; central shift lever1
Gears41
Gear ratiosI. 4.025; II. 2.28; III. 1.42; IV. 1.0; R. 3.721
Final drive4.3751The archive page prints "4375"; the decimal point is evidently missing, read here as 4.375.
Driven wheelsRear wheels1

Chassis, body & dimensions

ChassisCruciform oval-tube frame / steel unit body1
Front suspensionDouble wishbone; coil springs, torsion bar stabiliser; telescopic shock absorbers1
Rear suspensionSwing axle; double coil springs; telescopic shock absorbers1
BrakesHydraulic, acting on front and rear wheels; four-wheel drum brakes; mechanical parking brake on rear wheels1
SteeringWorm-and-lever steering1
Body constructionNot yet verified
Wheelbase 2,845 mmFactory: 2,845 mm1
Length 4,455 mmFactory: 4,455 mm1
Width 1,684 mmFactory: 1,684 mm1
Height 1,610 mmFactory: 1,610 mm1
Front track 1,315 mmFactory: 1,315 mm1
Rear track 1,420 mmFactory: 1,420 mm1
Kerb weight 1,310 kgFactory: 1,310 kg1Per DIN 70020: ready to drive, including fuel, spare wheel and tool kit.
Dry weightNot yet verified

Performance

Maximum speed 120 km/hFactory: 120 km/h1
0–100 km/h 32 s1
Fuel tank 47 LFactory: 47 L1Tank is in the rear.
Fuel consumption 9.7 L/100kmFactory: 9.7 L/100km1Mercedes-Benz archive figure in litres per 100 km: 9.7 l (per 100 km, DIN 70030 basis)

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

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

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

The archive gives the Cabriolet B type number 136.043 (design name W 136 IV) and the M 136 III / 136.922 engine. Chassis numbers quoted by auction houses follow the pattern 136 043 xx xxx (for example 136 043 12 365 and 13604311202). Recorded dimensions are a 2,845 mm wheelbase, 4,455 mm length and 1,610 mm height. RM Sotheby's ties the "B" name to the rear seat and rear quarter windows, and Artcurial calls it a four/five-seater. Bonhams notes that the original semaphore indicator arms of its example had been replaced by flashing indicators and that the build sheet showed an engine change, which are points to check on any car.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    170 S Cabriolet B / W 136 IV, 1949 - 1951 (model page) Level A Mercedes-Benz AG, Mercedes-Benz Public Archive (Classic M@RS)
    • Units produced : 1,603
    • 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 : 4455 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
    • Width : 1684 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
    • Height : 1610 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
    • Front / rear track : 1315 / 1420 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
    • Kerb weight : 1310 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 B Level A
    • 1603 cabriolets B
    Accessed 2026-11-12

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