The first Mercedes-Benz station wagon: jewel in Stuttgart

The Mercedes-Benz 200 D Universal from 1968 it is in fact the first station wagon produced by the Stuttgart brand, and today it is exhibited in the Star museum in its hometown. This estate version based on the 110 “fintail” model series was presented by the then Daimler-Benz AG at Brussels Motor Show in January 1965initially as the 190 D. It had a significant load capacity: it could carry a load of up to 710 kilograms.

For this reason, this spacious body variant was equipped with larger 15-inch wheels than the sedan and had reinforced springs. The new variant was of internal design and the sales took place through the dealer network. The vehicles were produced by IMA in Belgium on the basis of chassis delivered with partial bodywork.

A Mercedes-Benz with all the trappings

The Mercedes-Benz 200 D combined the character of the elegant sedan with surprising versatility for everyday use and leisure. Universal was already a precursor to what Mercedes-Benz would establish twelve years later with the station wagon of the 123 serieslaunched in 1977 and entered series production in 1978.

Il press release of the time he described it like this: “Although the external lines already emphasize that this is a vehicle with a special character, rather than a car whose rear end has simply been modified, a closer examination of the uniform body structure shows that the design was created as a all one inseparable“.

A look at the rear compartment also reveals a consistent design for practicality and functionality with high visual appeal. The brown artificial leather gives the interior a cozy atmosphere. The floor is in Panoluxas the press package explains: a composition of wood fibers and Bakelite resin. “It guarantees maximum protection against scratches, stains, wear, etc., not to mention the luxurious touch it gives to the car“. And again: “The use of a wooden floor made from such a valuable material as ‘Panolux’ is more expensive than painted sheet metal, but in addition to the luxurious appearance, it offers the advantage of good sound insulation“.

Inside the story

The example exhibited in the Mercedes-Benz Museum is a 200 D Universal. It has a four-cylinder engine with a displacement of 1988 cubic centimeters and a power of 40 kW (55 hp). The vehicle on display was delivered near Bordeaux in France and there iregistered in July 1968. It was therefore built after the facelift and has newly developed hydropneumatic suspension adjustment for greater safety and comfort. This automatically adapts to the weight of the load. Only 2,754 units of Mercedes-Benz’s first lifestyle station wagon were built between 1965 and 1968.