Mercedes-Benz 170 V service van featured in museum exhibition

The Mercedes-Benz Museum is featuring a 1952 Mercedes-Benz 170 V Kastenwagen (W 136 series) as part of its “130 Years of Commercial Vehicles” special exhibition. This rare vehicle is finished in the iconic “Mercedesblau” (Mercedes blue), a color used in the 1950s to identify the company’s service fleet.

Designed for utility, the van features a custom body constructed from a combination of sheet metal and a wooden substructure for stability. The interior was optimized for mechanics, providing ample space for tools and spare parts, including hidden storage beneath a carpeted floor. The vehicle also showcases the high-quality craftsmanship of the Sindelfingen factory, as indicated by its official Daimler-Benz A.G. plaque.

In addition to its functional design, the cabin offered a level of comfort unusual for commercial vehicles of that era, featuring light grey synthetic leather seating and a detailed dashboard with ivory-colored controls.