Makes › Mercedes-Benz › 770 › 770 'Grosser Mercedes' (W 07) · Royal, state & papal · 1930–1938

Mercedes-Benz
770 'Grosser Mercedes' (W 07)

Supercharged 7.7-litre state car of the inter-war era; customers included Hindenburg, Wilhelm II, Emperor Hirohito and Pope Pius XI

117BuiltFactory reported

0Chassis documentedin this archive

?SurvivingNot yet verified

Contents

01Overview
02Production & history
03Specifications
- Technical specifications
04Colours & options
- Factory colours & interiors
- Factory options & codes
05Individual cars
06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built: 117 Built
Years: 1930–1938
Engine: Inline eight-cylinder (M 07) with Roots supercharger · 7,655 cc / 7.7 LFactory: 7,655 cc
Power: 147 kW / 200 PSFactory: 200 PS
Top speed: 160 km/hFactory: 160 km/h
Body: Not yet verified
Designer: Engineering team led by Hans Nibel; engine development under Albert Heeß
In this archive: Not yet verified
Surviving: Not yet verified

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The 770 was the largest, heaviest and most expensive Mercedes-Benz passenger car of its time, advertised as Germany's most powerful car and one of the largest in the world. It served as a prestige and state car for customers such as Kaiser Wilhelm II and Emperor Hirohito, and is seen as a forerunner of the Mercedes 600.

How rare is it?

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

Model rarityNot yet assessed

Specification rarityNot yet assessed

Colour rarityNot yet assessed

Individual rarityNot yet assessed

Historical rarityExtremely Rare 117 · Built^1,2

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 770 'Grosser Mercedes' (W 07) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 770 Grosser Cabriolet F of Wilhelm II)
Photo: Norbert Schnitzler · CC BY-SA 3.0
Mercedes-Benz 770 'Grosser Mercedes' (W 07) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 770 Grosser Cabriolet F of Wilhelm II)
Photo: Norbert Schnitzler · CC BY-SA 3.0
Mercedes-Benz 770 'Grosser Mercedes' (W 07) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 770 Grosser Cabriolet F of Wilhelm II)
Photo: Norbert Schnitzler · CC BY-SA 3.0
Mercedes-Benz 770 'Grosser Mercedes' (W 07) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 770 Grosser Cabriolet F of Wilhelm II)
Photo: Norbert Schnitzler · CC BY-SA 3.0

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

What is counted	Figure	Basis	Status
Total model productionW 07 cars built in all body styles (42 Pullman limousines; 13 without supercharger)	117^1,2	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

On 6 March 1930 the Daimler-Benz board decided to accelerate development of a new luxury flagship, engineered by a team under Hans Nibel with Albert Heeß responsible for the engine. The 770 was shown at the Paris Salon in October 1930 and built until 1938, with 117 cars made; only 13 customers took the cheaper version without supercharger. Wilhelm II received a Cabriolet F in 1932 and Hirohito an armoured Pullman in 1935. The W 150 of 1938 succeeded it under the same name.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard 770 'Grosser Mercedes' (W 07).

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

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine family	Not yet verified
Engine code	M 07 (naturally aspirated); M 07 K (supercharged)^3,4Archive data for the M 07 variant; the M 07 K chassis data are identical unless stated.
Layout	Inline eight-cylinder (M 07) with Roots supercharger⁵ Independently researched
Cylinders	8³Archive data for the M 07 variant; the M 07 K chassis data are identical unless stated.
Displacement	7,655 cc / 7.7 LFactory: 7,655 cc⁵ Independently researched
Bore	95 mmFactory: 95 mm³Archive data for the M 07 variant; the M 07 K chassis data are identical unless stated.
Stroke	135 mmFactory: 135 mm³Archive data for the M 07 variant; the M 07 K chassis data are identical unless stated.
Compression ratio	4.7:1³Archive data for the M 07 variant; the M 07 K chassis data are identical unless stated.
Valvetrain	1 intake, 1 exhaust / overhead; 1 lateral camshaft; camshaft drive: via spur gears³Archive data for the M 07 variant; the M 07 K chassis data are identical unless stated.
Fuel system	1 Mercedes-Benz triple-jet twin carburettor³Archive data for the M 07 variant; the M 07 K chassis data are identical unless stated.
Power	147 kW / 200 PSFactory: 200 PS⁵ Independently researched
Power at	2,800 rpm⁵ Independently researched
Torque	536 NmFactory: 395 lb-ft · converted⁶ Independently researchedSupercharged state; Bonhams quotes approximately 289 lb-ft at 1,200 rpm for the naturally aspirated engine. Not stated in the archive.
Torque at	1,500 rpm⁶ Independently researchedArchive data for the M 07 variant; the M 07 K chassis data are identical unless stated.

Transmission & drivetrain

Gearbox	Three-speed gearbox plus Maybach overdrive (six ratios)⁵ Independently researched
Gears	3^3,1Archive data for the M 07 variant; the M 07 K chassis data are identical unless stated.
Gear ratios	I: 2.73; II: 1.52; III: 1.0; S: 0.71 or 0.76³Archive data for the M 07 variant; the M 07 K chassis data are identical unless stated.
Final drive	4.50; 4.88 or 4.30³Archive data for the M 07 variant; the M 07 K chassis data are identical unless stated.
Driven wheels	rear³Archive data for the M 07 variant; the M 07 K chassis data are identical unless stated.

Chassis, body & dimensions

Chassis	U-section pressed-steel low-bed frame with X-Type cross bracing³Archive data for the M 07 variant; the M 07 K chassis data are identical unless stated.
Front suspension	rigid axle; semi-elliptical springs³Archive data for the M 07 variant; the M 07 K chassis data are identical unless stated.
Rear suspension	rigid axle; underslung semi-elliptical springs³Archive data for the M 07 variant; the M 07 K chassis data are identical unless stated.
Brakes	mechanical, with Bosch-Dewandre vacuum booster; acting on front- and rear wheels³Archive data for the M 07 variant; the M 07 K chassis data are identical unless stated.
Steering	worm-and-nut steering³Archive data for the M 07 variant; the M 07 K chassis data are identical unless stated.
Body construction	Not yet verified
Wheelbase	3,750 mmFactory: 3,750 mm³Archive data for the M 07 variant; the M 07 K chassis data are identical unless stated.
Length	5,600 mmFactory: 5,600 mm³Archive data for the M 07 variant; the M 07 K chassis data are identical unless stated.
Width	1,840 mmFactory: 1,840 mm³Archive data for the M 07 variant; the M 07 K chassis data are identical unless stated.
Height	1,830 mmFactory: 1,830 mm³Archive data for the M 07 variant; the M 07 K chassis data are identical unless stated.
Front track	1,500 mmFactory: 1,500 mm³Archive data for the M 07 variant; the M 07 K chassis data are identical unless stated.
Rear track	1,500 mmFactory: 1,500 mm³Archive data for the M 07 variant; the M 07 K chassis data are identical unless stated.
Kerb weight	2,700 kgFactory: 2,700 kg³Archive data for the M 07 variant; the M 07 K chassis data are identical unless stated.
Dry weight	Not yet verified

Performance

Maximum speed	160 km/hFactory: 160 km/h⁵ Independently researched
0–100 km/h	Not yet verified
Fuel tank	Not yet verified
Fuel consumption	29 L/100kmFactory: 29 L/100km^3,4Mercedes-Benz archive figure in litres per 100 km: 29 l (M 07) / 30 l (M 07 K)

“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.

Factory announcements called the car the "Grand Mercedes" or Model 770, and the archive stresses that the label 770 K, common in later literature, was never used in period for the W 07. The M 07 engine was built naturally aspirated or, as the M 07 K, with an engageable Roots supercharger, and only 13 of the 117 cars were ordered without it. Supercharged cars carried exhaust pipes sheathed in flexible metal hose that emerged on the right of the bonnet. The body styles were the Pullman saloon, the open tourer and convertibles B, C, D and F, plus 19 bare chassis, and a wedge-shaped pointed radiator is the visual signature of the series.

On the two cars sold at auction the engine number matches the chassis number (85205 on a 1931 Cabriolet D delivered with a factory order form; 83807 and U 83807 on a supercharged Pullman Cabriolet that RM Sotheby's describes as numbers-matching).

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1
770 "Grand Mercedes" (W 07), 1930 - 1938 (Classic M@RS) Level A Mercedes-Benz Group AG (Classic M@RS, Mercedes-Benz Public Archive)
- A total of 117 units were produced
- three-speed transmission with manually selectable overdrive
Accessed 2026-11-12
2
Motor1 Deutschland – Mercedes 770 (W 07) Historie Level C
- 117 W 07 cars built in all body styles (42 Pullman limousines; 13 without supercharger)
Accessed 2026-11-12
3
770 Grand Mercedes (M 07 naturally aspirated engine) / W 07, 1930 - 1938 (Classic M@RS) Level A Mercedes-Benz Group AG (Classic M@RS, Mercedes-Benz Public Archive)
- Engine type : M 07 (Technical data)
- Number of cylinders / arrangement : 8 / in line (Technical data)
- Bore x Stroke : 95 x 135 mm (Technical data)
- Compression ratio : 4.7 (Technical data)
- Valve operation : 1 lateral camshaft (Technical data)
- Fuel system : 1 Mercedes-Benz triple-jet twin carburettor (Technical data)
- Gearing : 3-speed gearwheel thrust transmission with additional overdrive (Technical data)
- Gear ratios : I: 2.73; II: 1.52; III: 1.0; S: 0.71 or 0.76 (Technical data)
- Final drive ratio : 4.50; 4.88 or 4.30 (Technical data)
- Driven wheels : rear wheels (Technical data)
- Frame design : U-section pressed-steel low-bed frame with X-Type cross bracing (Technical data)
- Front-wheel suspension : rigid axle (Technical data)
- Rear-wheel suspension : rigid axle (Technical data)
- Brake system (foot brake) : mechanical, with Bosch-Dewandre vacuum booster; acting on front- and rear (Technical data)
- Steering : worm-and-nut steering (Technical data)
- Wheelbase : 3750 mm (Technical data)
- Length : 5600 mm (Technical data)
- Width : 1840 mm (Technical data)
- Height : 1830 mm (Technical data)
- Front / rear track : 1500 / 1500 mm (Technical data)
- Kerb weight : 2700 kg (Technical data)
- Fuel consumption : 29 l (Technical data)
Accessed 2026-11-12
4
770 Grand Mercedes (M 07 K supercharged engine) / W 07, 1930 - 1938 (Classic M@RS) Level A Mercedes-Benz Group AG (Classic M@RS, Mercedes-Benz Public Archive)
- Engine type : M 07 K (Technical data)
- Fuel consumption : 30 l (Technical data)
Accessed 2026-11-12
5
Mercedes 770 W 07 (1930) Historie Level B Motor1.com Deutschland
- Achtzylinder-Reihenmotor M 07, Roots-Kompressor
- 7.655 cm³ Hubraum
- mit Kompressor 147 kW (200 PS); ohne 150 PS
- 2.800 U/min
- Dreiganggetriebe plus Maybach-Schnellganggetriebe
- mit Kompressor etwa 160 km/h
Accessed 2026-11-12
6
1931 Mercedes-Benz 770 Cabriolet D (W 07), Chassis no. 85205/R.B07/4 Level C Bonhams
- torque rose to a mighty 395lb/ft at 1,500rpm
Accessed 2026-11-12

Research coverage

Production figures1 recorded

Technical data32 verified values

Factory coloursNot yet researched

Option codesNot yet researched

Chassis documented0 of 117

Photographs4

Shows what this archive has recorded so far – not how much of the history is known.

Editorial status

Reviewed · 2026-11-11

Revision history (4)

2026-11-11 Basic profile published from discovery research; production figure re-checked against its source page.
2026-11-12 Research gaps filled from sources (9 values).
2026-11-12 Research gaps filled from sources (28 values).
2026-11-12 Research gaps filled from sources (1 values).

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Mercedes-Benz
770 'Grosser Mercedes' (W 07)

At a glance

Why it matters

How rare is it?

Photos

Production

History

Variants