MASTER BOX Sd.Kfz.1 GERMAN MILITARY STAFF CAR 170 VK 1/35

Description

Mercedes-Benz W136 is the name, using the manufacturer’s works number, under which the car is frequently known in retrospect, but the car introduced early in 1936 was known as the Mercedes-Benz 170V. It replaced the six cylinder Mercedes-Benz W15, which at the time had also been known as the Mercedes-Benz 170. Despite having a similar engine capacity of 1.7 litres, the new car’s four cylinder unit was more powerful. Technically and stylistically it was far more modern and could be sold at a lower price. Between 1936 over 75,000 were built making it by far the most popular Mercedes-Benz model up till that point.

The “V” in the 170V’s name was short for “Vorn” (front) and differentiated the car from the contemporary Mercedes-Benz 170H (where “H” was short for “Heck” or rear) which used the same four cylinder 1697cc engine, but positioned at the back of the car.

Claimed maximum power output was 28 kW (38 PS) at 3,400, using a compression ratio (during the car’s early years) of 6:1. The side-valve four cylinder engine consumed fuel at the rate of less than 10 litres per 100 kilometres (28 mpg_-imp; 24 mpg_-US). The motor was attached using just two mountings and ran with a smoothness hitherto unknown in a four cylinder unit.

Power was delivered to the rear wheels via a four speed manual transmission which initially came with synchromesh only on the top two ratios. However, in 1940 the transmission was upgraded after which synchromesh was incorporated for all four forward ratios.

The VK was the type produced for the Army as a staff car with production running from 1938 to 1942 and producing around 29,000 vehicles. It was also widely used as a police vehicle, in which case it was frequently operated without a top or doors to allow quick exit from the vehicle when rounding up suspects.