Mercedes-Benz 130

In 1930, Daimler-Benz entrusted Hans Nibel with the development of a small rear-engined car, starting from the same principles.

Conceived by Hans Nibel, chief engineer of Mercedes-Benz,[2] the 130 was inspired by Edmund Rumpler's Tropfenwagen.

[2] Due to its suspension,[4] handling was poor,[2] although adequate on German roads at the time,[4] while its ride quality was superior to any other car in Germany.

The synchronised four-speed gearbox (which VW later called 3 + E) is mounted in front of the rear axle, the balance being provided by coil springs.

It displaced 1,498 cc (91.4 cu in), developed 55 hp (41 kW), and gave the car a 125 km/h (78 mph) top speed.

Conceived by Hans Nibel, chief engineer of Mercedes-Benz,[2] the 150 was inspired by Edmund Rumpler's Tropfen-Auto.

The fuel tank, which in the case of the Mercedes-Benz 130 is above the engine, was transferred to the front compartment, and therefore there was no room for luggage there.

[2] They were raced in several rallies, demonstrating much better handling than the 130, before Nibel and Wagner turned to Grand Prix cars.

[2] The last remaining 150 Sport Roadster was fully restored mechanically by the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Irvine, California in 2010.

Forty years later a company spokesman suggested that the car's relative lack of commercial success was due to the rear mounting of the engine and the resulting absence of the "characteristic Mercedes-Benz tall radiator".

[11] The same spokesman was at pains[weasel words] to highlight the similarity of the car's overall architecture and some of its detailing to that of the later highly successful Volkswagen Beetle: it was pointed out[by whom?]

that Dr Porsche, creator of the Volkswagen, had been chief engineer at Daimler-Benz between 1923 and 1928[12] when the little rear-engined Mercedes-Benz sedans were under development.

[11] Because these cars, unlike front-engined sister models, were not widely used, and also not suitable for conversion to wood gas generator, the Wehrmacht did not requisition them.

In addition, engineer Karl Schlör from Krauss-Maffei used the 170H chassis to build a pod-like streamliner called the Schlörwagen (nicknamed "Egg" or "Pillbug").