The last special show with vehicles from car owner Hermann Graber was extended by six months due to the coronavirus pandemic. But now other cars are back in the spiral aisle of the Pantheon Basel and (almost) all of them have a star.
Stefan Musfeld and the Pantheon team have dedicated the special exhibition, which has been open to visitors since the end of October 2020 until April 18, 2021, to the Mercedes-Benz brand.
Focus on the pre- and post-war period
Of course, the model pool would have been almost endless, after all Mercedes-Benz, together with its predecessor brands Benz and Daimler, is one of the oldest car brands in the world and, with the "Benz Velo", also the patent holder and, so to speak, builder of the first car with an internal combustion engine. More precisely, it was a single-cylinder petrol engine, mounted horizontally with an open cylinder and flywheel and producing 0.75 hp with 954 cm3. That was enough for Mrs. Benz to tackle her historic 210 km journey from Mannheim to Pforzheim.
An original no longer exists, which is why the manufacturer commissioned several replicas of the 1886 tricycle many years ago. One of them now stands right at the entrance to the exhibition.
In order to make the exhibition feasible in terms of numbers, Pantheon initiator Musfeld focused on the models that were produced up until the 1970s. The latest cars are from the R/C107 series and of course they could not be missing. However, the majority of the vehicles were from the thirties to the fifties.
Supercharged and luxury cars from the pre-war period
Around a third of the cars on display were from the pre-war period, including a magnificent Mercedes-Benz 630 K from 1927 with an eight-cylinder engine and supercharger, as well as a Benz 10/30 from 1924.
This was a medium-sized car at the time, with a wheelbase of over three meters. It had a 2.6-liter four-cylinder engine that could accelerate the stately car to over 80 km/h.
The Mercedes-Benz 500 "Nürburg", which was built in 1931, is also rare. Even rarer and in principle the link to the previous special show "Graber" is the 500K from 1934 with bodywork by Hermann Graber.
Thanks to its supercharger, the eight-cylinder engine of this elegant car produced 160 hp, making it certainly one of the fastest. Unfortunately, there is no SSK or SSKL, as customs restrictions prevented a planned car from Germany from being exhibited.
Instead, the late thirties are represented by several elegant vehicles.
The exceptional Mercedes
In the 1930s, cars were only affordable for a few and the Mercedes-Benz range, with cars such as the 500 K and 290, was primarily aimed at the upper classes. Engineers Hans Nibel and Max Wagner, however, were looking for new solutions to give less wealthy people access to cars. And so the Type 130 with rear engine was born!
In February 1936, it became the Mercedes-Benz 170 H, which for the first time officially bore the "H" in its type designation to distinguish it from the front-engined 170 (V). Nevertheless, it was not a sales success. Instead, there is now an example in the special show at the Pantheon and, as a special feature, it is a car that is currently being restored.
With gullwing doors, of course
What would a Mercedes show be without a gullwing? The 300 SL is simply part of it, and of course it is not missing from the Pantheon. It stands teasingly right next to the rear-engined 170H and also with open gullwing doors.
It is immediately clear why this sports coupé is one of the most desirable classics of all. A 300 SL Roadster may be added later. In any case, the Pantheon's special shows are never completely static; the selection can change from time to time depending on the situation.
Right above the 300 SL is a pretty 190 SL from 1959 with a hardtop, painted red and definitely a feast for the eyes.
Pontoon and tail fin
The first 20 post-war years are represented in the exhibition by a 170 S from 1953, two pontoon Mercedes and a two-door tail fin, a good mix. The Mercedes-Benz 190 from 1957 on display is certainly a special example.
It is a rare four-door estate built by Binz. At the time, Mercedes supplied the coachbuilders with semi-finished cars, which they then converted into an ambulance, for example.
Towards modern times
As you go up the spiral corridor, you approach the end of the exhibition and the modern era. The 190 SL is followed by a 230 SL (Pagoda), a 280 SL from the R107 series and, at the very end, a 450 SLC from the C107 series, both extremely popular classics.
Opposite the 450 SLC is a Mercedes-Benz 600, a "big Mercedes", as it was sold for heads of state and other important personalities from the 1960s onwards. I wonder who once rode in the silver limousine?
The selection of around two dozen cars is more than impressive, and it is just as interesting that almost all the cars are in gray or pastel shades. Mercedes-Benz rarely used really bright colors, most likely in the sporty models, as the 190 SL in red shows. You should definitely take a closer look at the wonderful photos behind the exhibited cars, which give an insight into other models and the production of the time.
The exhibition at Pantheon Basel is open until April 18, 2021. The Pantheon website provides information about any coronavirus restrictions as well as the general opening hours.
