Mercedes Benz - It's a name that naturally evokes thoughts of supreme craftsmanship, superlative comfort, and unmatched prestige. Perhaps that's why the three pointed star is one of the most recognized logos to date. It’s not just a statement of a brand, it's become a statement of quality. A company like Mercedes Benz doesn't just earn its reputation overnight. And here we have an early example of the German marque's commitment to craftsmanship.
The car you
see here is a 1939 Mercedes Benz 320 Pullman Limousine - the only one in the
island, and indeed this part of the world. The Type 320 was aimed to appeal to
the "obere mittelklasse", or upper middle class. Introduced to the
world at the 1937 International Automobile and Motorcycle Exhibition in Berlin,
the Type 320 was available in short and long wheelbase variants. Its engine was
reworked from the 290's 68hp unit, with a larger bore to cater to the evident
need for more power. The displacement subsequently increased from 2.9 litres to
3.2 litres, and together with a dual downdraft carburettor, the engine gained
10 more horses. Mercedes engineers also focused on completely redesigning the
suspension to ensure unmatched ' comfort and handling.
The
Mercedes-Benz Type 230, launched in 1937, was a popular and successful car for
Mercedes, especially in the 1930s. While the model name "Type 230" is
consistent, the specific "300 Pullman" designation refers to a
longer-bodied version of the 230, with a larger engine capacity, as
"Pullman" generally indicates a luxury, extended-wheelbase limousine.
The 230 itself was characterized by its 2,229cc inline 6-cylinder engine, 55
bhp, and a top speed of 115 km/h, making it a competitively priced and
economical luxury car.
Most of the customers paid the extra money for the bigger engine leading to an abrupt cut of the 2.0-liter unit in the middle of 1936. They also liked the longer wheelbase W143 over its predecessor, phased out in the same year. The German carmaker introduced a facelift for the W143, so it didn't look exactly like the Typ 200 it replaced. Mercedes unveiled that new version at the Frankfurt Motor and Motorcycle Show in February 1937.
Mercedes-Benz made the Pullman available for up to six occupants, which rapidly became a standard request from the customers. Its rear-hinged front doors allowed the driver and side passenger to step down and open the rear doors quickly.
Under the hood, the German carmaker installed an inline-six engine with a 2.3-litre displacement, (hence the car's name) that provided 55 hp paired with a four-speed manual gearbox. Mercedes-Benz installed independent suspension with leaf springs in all corners to provide more comfort and a better cornering speed.
The car that
you see on these pages first came to Sri Lanka under the ownership of Sir
Ernest De Silva - widely recognized as the wealthiest Sri Lankan of his
generation. The story goes that he had spied a similar car (most likely the
W150 'Super Mercedes') outside an opera house in Vienna; and had asked Mercedes
Benz to send one to Sri Lanka for his personal use. Upon hearing this, Mercedes
Benz refused; as this type of car was reserved for German government and
military officials!
However they
did agree to send the next best thing, the Pullman Limousine. The car was used
by Sir Earnest until the 1950s, and in 1974 it was purchased by Neil
Fernendopulle, before being passed on to his son, Nishan Fernandopulle.
This
particular car was awarded the honour of being the oldest and most original
Mercedes Benz in the country at the first ever Mercedes Benz Pageant in 2012,
and once again attended the pageant in subsequent years too. At the 2013
Pageant it was spied by the German ambassador, who took a particular liking to
the car. Followmg this, Nishan and his 320 Pullman provided transport to the
ambassador during the 60th celebration or Sri Lanka-German relations in October
the same year.
The car is one of only 15 left in the world, out of which a sizable number are in museums! It is only fitting that such a rare car is still going strong in Sri Lanka, and Is a true testament to both Mercedes build quality, and the loving care It has received through the past 86 years!
Nishan
currently resides in Australia, and has left the car in the care of DIMO who
maintains it and has it on display among other Mercedes classics in the DIMO
800 showroom.
