Mercedes-Benz 130 W23 1934

The Mercedes-Benz 130 was unveiled at the Berlin motor show in February 1934. It had a 1,308 cc four-cylinder engine mounted longitudinally at the rear. Producing 26 hp (19 kW), the engine propelled the small two-door saloon to 92 km/h. The four-speed synchromesh gearbox, a type later called ‘3+E’ by Volkswagen, sat ahead of the rear axle; springs provided the vehicle’s balance. The Mercedes 130’s front axle used two transverse leaf springs.

The 130 was sold in two versions: a saloon with an opening roof and a convertible, with or without a roof and without side windows. Both had two doors. Severe weight imbalance, with two-thirds of the mass over the rear axle, made the car very awkward to handle. Poor sales led to production ending in 1936.