Solved TGF-59: Mercedes-Benz 170 H, 1936, Hermann Lang (perhaps Baur)

[targhediferro]

Make, model, year and coachbuilder (I need a prove because my source is not sure about this last question)of this pretty car to add a point at your own treasure.

[targhediferro]

Experts required.

[DeAutogids]

It has a bit of Steyr about it. Maybe a coachbuild 1500?

[targhediferro]

not a Steyr, sorry.

[mekubb]

German ?

[DeAutogids]

Mercedes based?

[targhediferro]

Indeed so...I add that in my opinion it's a proper Mercedes-Benz, partially modified.  Tell me the model and I'll lock it for you to add the coachbuilder.

[DeAutogids]

With that nose I think probably a Mercedes with the engine at the rear?

[targhediferro]

 

[targhediferro]

I think it's useful a little clue;  as I told I'm not sure about the coachbuilder, but I can add that this car belonged to a well known man who was connected with Mercedes-Benz.

[Bill Murray]

It is a Mercedes 170 H I am quite sure but I have had no luck with the coachbuilder even after a couple of hours of searching.  I found your photo on the internet by Googling "Mercedes 170 Heck" but there was just the same photo with no details.

To my eyes, the number plate looks to be Austrian but that may be incorrect.

Hopefully someone else will get the answer pretty quick.  I am lost for the moment.

Bill

[targhediferro]

It's a 170H modified for its owner, perhaps it is easier to find him than who modified it.

[mekubb]

Body by Ludewig / Essen ?

[targhediferro]

Not the one I have...but if have a prove, as I told before it would be better to identify the owner of this car.

[D-type]

A long shot: was it owned by Ferdinand Porsche?

[targhediferro]

Not Porsche, but it's probably they met or almost knew one each other.

[Hiawatha]

A shot in the dark... Alfred Neubauer?

[targhediferro]

not Neubauer....the owner was faster!

[Hiawatha]

Lang?

[mekubb]

Rosenmeyer ?

[targhediferro]

Hiawatha got the name....The car belonged to Hermann Lang and He's the man who asked to modify his own car in order to get it more streamlined.  So I think fine to award Hiawatha with a point;  I've been told that He committed the work to Baur (Lang too was from Stuttgart), but I've no prove about it.
The picture comes from a Lang family album, sold some years ago in a Automobilia auction.

[nicanary]

This makes some sense. Lang was head mechanic until 1936 before he was given a chance at driving, and he would therefore not have been considered high enough in rank to qualify for one of the M-B luxury cars. (Consider the cars that drivers like Caracciola and Rosemeyer had for their personal use. ) Lang was often regarded by the more aristocratic team members (especially von Brauchitsch) as someone beneath them in the social order.