Mercedes-Benz Museum: The Road Cars

The Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany houses a collection of cars and trucks that pioneered new technologies, became classics or were driven by celebrities. From the very first automobiles created by Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler to groundbreaking models throughout the company’s long history, the gathering of vehicles here is most impressive. Here are some of them.

1886 Daimler Motorkutsche. The world’s first four-wheeled automobile.
Engine: single cylinder
Displacement: 462 cc
Output: 1.1 hp (0.8 kW)
Top speed: 18 km/h

1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen. The world’s first gasoline-powered automobile. Replica of the original.
Engine: single cylinder
Displacement: 954 cc
Output: 0.75 hp (0.55 kW)
Top speed: 16 km/h

1889 Daimler Motor-Quadricycle “Wire-Wheel Car.” Developed by Gottlieb Daimler and Willhelm Maybach, presented for the first time at the 1889 World Exhibition in Paris.
Engine: V2
Displacement: 565 cc
Output: 1.5 hp (1.1 kW)
Top speed: 18 km/h

1892 Daimler Motorised Fire-fighting Pump. Horse-drawn fire-fighting pump that could generate an output of 80 gallons a minute thanks to its gasoline engine. Previously, 32 firemen were required to pump as much water.
Engine: two cylinder
Displacement: 3041 cc
Output: 7 hp (5.1 kW)

1893 Benz Victoria. Karl Benz’s first four-wheeled automobile.
Engine: single cylinder
Displacement: 1726 cc
Output: 3 hp (2.2 kW)
Top speed: 18 km/h

1894 Benz Motor Velocipede. Said to be the world’s first large-scale production vehicle, selling 1200 units between 1894 and 1901.
Engine: single cylinder
Displacement: 1045 cc
Output: 1.5 hp (1.1 kW)
Top speed: 20 km/h

1895 Benz Motorised Bus. A replica of the world’s first bus, which could carry up to eight passengers.
Engine: single cylinder
Displacement: 2651 cc
Output: 5 hp (3.7 kW)
Top speed: 20 km/h

1896 Daimler Vis-à-Vis Belt-Driven Car. Daimler’s first large-scale production car.
Engine: two cylinder
Displacement: 1060 cc
Output: 4.6 hp (3.4 kW)
Top speed: 18 km/h

1898 Daimler Motorised Truck. The world’s oldest goods vehicle still in existence, which boasted a payload capacity of 2755 lbs (1250 kg). Daimler built its first truck in 1896.
Engine: two cylinder
Displacement: 1527 cc
Output: 5.6 hp (41 kW)
Top speed: 12 km/h

1899 Daimler Motorised Business Vehicle. Payload capacity of 1100 lbs. (500 kg).
Engine: two cylinder
Displacement: 1527 cc
Output: 5.6 hp (4.1 kW)
Top speed: 16 km/h

1899 Benz Dos-à-Dos. Named after the seating configuration, in which passengers sat back to back.
Engine: horizontally opposed two cylinder
Displacement: 1728 cc
Output: 5 hp (3.7 kW)
Top speed: 35 km/h

1905 Benz 18 PS Double Phaeton
Engine: four cylinder
Displacement: 3160 cc
Output: 18 hp (13 kW)
Top speed: 60 km/h

1908 Mercedes 75 PS Double Phaeton
Engine: six cylinder
Displacement: 10,180 cc
Output: 75 hp (55 kW)
Top speed: 95 km/h

1909 Benz 20/35 PS Landaulet
Engine: four cylinder
Displacement: 5195 cc
Output: 35 hp (26 kW)
Top speed: 75 km/h

1904 Mercedes-Simplex 60 PS Touring Limousine
Engine: four cylinder
Displacement: 9236 cc
Output: 60 hp (44 kW)
Top speed: 80 km/h

1902 Mercedes-Simplex 40 PS. The oldest Mercedes still in existence.
Engine: four cylinder
Displacement: 6785 cc
Output: 40 hp (29 kW)
Top speed: 80 km/h

1906 Mercedes 35 PS. A chassis design demonstrating a light engine, a long wheelbase and a low centre of gravity.
Engine: four cylinder
Displacement: 5319 cc
Output: 35 hp (26 kW)

1923 Mercedes 10/40 PS sports two-seater. The world’s first production cars with supercharged engines. The supercharged supplied the engine with more air, temporarily raising output.
Engine: four cylinder supercharged
Displacement: 2614 cc
Output: 40 hp (29 kW)
Output (with supercharger): 65 hp (48 kW)
Top speed: 110 km/h

1938 Mercedes-Benz 260 D Pullman-Limousine. The world’s first large-scale production, diesel-engined passenger car.
Engine: four cylinder
Displacement: 2545 cc
Output: 45 hp (33 kW)
Top speed: 95 km/h

1932 Mercedes-Benz Lo 2000 Diesel Platform Truck. The world’s first light-duty truck with a diesel engine, boasting a payload capacity of 4410 lbs. (2000 kg).
Engine: four cylinder
Displacement: 3770 cc
Output: 55 hp (40 kW)
Top speed: 65 km/h

1937 Mercedes-Benz 770 Grand Mercedes Open Tourer
Engine: eight cylinder supercharged
Displacement: 7655 cc
Output: 150 hp (110 kW)
Output (with supercharger): 200 hp (147 kW)
Top speed: 160 km/h

1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet B
Engine: eight cylinder supercharged
Displacement: 5401 cc
Output: 115 hp (85 kW)
Output (with supercharger): 180 hp (132 kW)
Top speed: 170 km/h

1936 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Special Roadster
Engine: eight cylinder supercharged
Displacement: 5018 cc
Output: 100 hp (74 kW)
Output (with supercharger): 160 hp (118 kW)
Top speed: 160 km/h

1928 Mercedes-Benz 27/170/225 SSK Sports Two-seater. Only 35 units were produced.
Engine: six cylinder supercharged
Displacement: 7065 cc
Output: 170 hp (125 kW)
Output (with supercharger): 225 hp (165 kW)
Top speed: 192 km/h

1930 Mercedes-Benz Type SS
Engine: six cylinder supercharged
Displacement: 7065 cc
Output (with supercharger): 200 hp (147 kW)
Top speed: 190 km/h

1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 S Cabriolet A
Engine: six cylinder
Displacement: 2996 cc
Output: 150 hp (110 kW)
Top speed: 175 km/h

1952 Mercedes-Benz 300
Engine: six cylinder
Displacement: 2996 cc
Output: 115 hp (85 kW)
Top speed: 160 km/h

1960 Mercedes-Benz LK 338 Dump Truck. Payload capacity of 16,535 lbs. (7500 kg).
Engine: six cylinder
Displacement: 10,809 cc
Output: 180 hp (132 kW)
Top speed: 75 km/h

1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR “Uhlenhaut-Coupé.” Only two units were produced, which served the head of the company’s Test Department, Rudolf Uhlenhaut.
Engine: eight cylinder
Displacement: 2982 cc
Output: 302 hp (222 kW)
Top speed: 290 km/h

1955 Mercedes-Benz 180
Engine: four cylinder
Displacement: 1767 cc
Output: 52 hp (38 kW)
Top speed: 126 km/h

1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupé. Also known as the Gullwing. Only 1400 units were produced.
Engine: six cylinder
Displacement: 2996 cc
Output: 215 hp (158 kW)
Top speed: 250 km/h

1962 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster. Succeeded the Gullwing 300 SL. Only 1858 units were produced.
Engine: six cylinder
Displacement: 2996 cc
Output: 215 hp (158 kW)
Top speed: 250 km/h

2001 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 313 CDI Mobile Intensive Care Unit
Engine: four cylinder
Displacement: 2148 cc
Output: 129 hp (95 kW)
Top speed: 150 km/h

1912 Benz Fire-fighting Truck
Engine: four cylinder
Displacement: 8588 cc
Output: 58 hp (43 kW)
Top speed: 40 km/h

2004 Mercedes-Benz Unimog U 500 with Winter Service Equipment
Engine: six cylinder
Displacement: 6374 cc
Output: 279 hp (205 kW)
Top speed: 85 km/h

1992 Mercedes-Benz 814 Recovery Truck
Engine: six cylinder
Displacement: 5958 cc
Output: 132 hp (97 kW)
Top speed: 109 km/h

1979 Mercedes-Benz L 409 Pickup with Crew Cab
Engine: four cylinder
Displacement: 2277 cc
Output: 90 hp (66 kW)
Top speed: 104 km/h

1952 Mercedes-Benz 170 V Panel Van
Engine: four cylinder
Displacement: 1767 cc
Output: 45 hp (33 kW)
Top speed: 110 km/h

1937 Mercedes-Benz 320 Ambulance
Engine: six cylinder
Displacement: 3208 cc
Output: 78 hp (57 kW)
Top speed: 90 km/h

2005 Mercedes-Benz Econic 2628 NGT Refuse Collection Truck. Payload capacity of 38,850 lbs. (17,620 kg).
Engine: six cylinder
Displacement: 6880 cc
Output: 279 hp (205 kW)
Top speed: 85 km/h

2000 Mercedes-Benz C 220 CDI Police Station Wagon
Engine: four cylinder
Displacement: 2148 cc
Output: 125 hp (92 kW)
Top speed: 192 km/h

1952 Mercedes-Benz LF 3500 Fire-fighting Truck with Metz Turntable Ladder
Engine: six cylinder
Displacement: 4580 cc
Output: 90 hp (66 kW)
Top speed: 80 km/h

1964 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL. Said to be the world’s first sports car with a sturdy passenger cell and crumple zones. Also known as the Pagoda.
Engine: six cylinder
Displacement: 2306 cc
Output: 150 hp (110 kW)
Top speed: 200 km/h

1964 Mercedes-Benz 220 S. Also known as the Tailfin.
Engine: six cylinder
Displacement: 2195 cc
Output: 110 hp (81 kW)
Top speed: 165 km/h

1979 Mercedes-Benz O 303 Touring Coach. The 1981 edition of the O 303 became the first bus equipped with anti-lock brakes.
Engine: V eight cylinder
Displacement: 12,763 cc
Output: 256 hp (188 kW)
Top speed: 123 km/h

1984 Mercedes-Benz 190 E. Also known as the Baby Benz.
Engine: four cylinder
Displacement: 1997 cc
Output: 122 hp (90 kW)
Top speed: 195 km/h

1980 Mercedes-Benz 300 SD. Said to be the first diesel-powered luxury car, and boasted the first turbocharged diesel engine to appear in a production car.
Engine: five cylinder turbo
Displacement: 2998 cc
Output: 121 hp (89 kW)
Top speed: 170 km/h

1991 Mercedes-Benz 500 SL. This car belonged to Princess Diana from December 1991 to September 1992.
Engine: V eight cylinder
Displacement: 4973 cc
Output: 326 hp (240 kW)
Top speed: 250 km/h

1980 Mercedes-Benz 230 G Popemobile. Built for the visit of John Paul II to Germany. Afterwards, it was equipped with bulletproof glazing and was used by the Pope on several journeys.
Engine: four cylinder
Displacement: 2307 cc
Output: 100 hp (74 kW)
Top speed: 131 km/h

1992 Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.3. This car belonged to actor and producer Nicolas Cage.
Engine: four cylinder
Displacement: 2298 cc
Output: 136 hp (100 kW)
Top speed: 200 km/h

2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA Streetstyle Designed by Cro. The famous panda-masked rapper Cro transformed this CLA into a rolling work of art.
Engine: four cylinder
Displacement: 1595 cc
Output: 122 hp (95 kW)
Top speed: 210 km/h

1892 Daimler Motor Car. This car was owned by Moulay Hassan I, Sultan of Morocco from 1874 to 1894.
Engine: two cylinder
Displacement: 762 cc
Output: 2 hp (1.5 kW)
Top speed: 22 km/h

1932 Mercedes-Benz 770 Grand Mercedes Convertible F. Driven by former German Emperor Willhelm II during his exile in the Netherlands.
Engine: eight cylinder
Displacement: 7655 cc
Output: 150 hp (110 kW)
Top speed: 150 km/h

1935 Mercedes-Benz 770 Grand Mercedes Pullman Limousine. Owned by Japanese Emperor Hirohito. Occupants were protected by steel armour in the roof and doors as well as special glazing on the windows.
Engine: eight cylinder
Displacement: 7655 cc
Output: 150 hp (110 kW)
Top speed: 150 km/h

1965 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman State Limousine. This car is fully armoured and features a raised roof, and remained on the company’s car fleet. For more than 30 years, it carried kings, chancellors and presidents during their visits to Germany. Only two units were produced.
Engine: V eight cylinder
Displacement: 6332 cc
Output: 250 hp (184 kW)
Top speed: 120 km/h

1959 Mercedes-Benz 300. Federal German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer’s last official vehicle. He owned it from 1963 to 1967, when he passed away.
Engine: six cylinder
Displacement: 2996 cc
Output: 160 hp (118 kW)
Top speed: 170 km/h

1959 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL. Owned from 1959 to 2004 by astronaut David Randolph Scott, who became the seventh person to walk on the moon in 1971.
Engine: four cylinder
Displacement: 1897 cc
Output: 108 hp (77 kW)
Top speed: 171 km/h

1988 Mercedes-Benz 500 SL. Owned by actor Hardy Krüger.
Engine: V eight cylinder
Displacement: 4973 cc
Output: 223 hp (164 kW)
Top speed: 215 km/h

1988 Mercedes-Benz 300 GD “Otto.” Nicknamed Otto, this vehicle was purchased by globetrotter Gunther Holtorf, who drove it across 215 countries over 26 years, covering 897,000 kilometres.
Engine: five cylinder
Displacement: 2998 cc
Output: 88 hp (65 kW)
Top speed: 130 km/h