Harrington Mercedes-Benz 630K Sports Tourer 1927

Harrington In 1897 Thomas Harrington (1859-1928)
[Tens de ter uma conta e sessão iniciada para poderes visualizar esta imagem]

The 600 was available with a variety of different chassis lengths and coachwork to suit any individual taste. What they all had in common was Ferdinand Porsche's race derived chassis and supercharged in-line, overhead-cam, six-cylidner engine with bonnet exposed triple exhaust pipes.

For 1927, Mercedes Benz entered more than 100 races and had near unparalleled success wherever their cars and drivers took the field. Clientele were given an opportunity that same year to purchase an ultra short-chassis (3,400mm wheel-base) variant of the new 630K model, K for "Kurtz", meaning short.

Just a handful of these "Sports Touring" supercharged, dual-ignition, Mercedes Benz automobiles were completed. Commission No. 32019 was one such example and one that has the unique distinction of being the sole example ever fitted from new with English, light-weight Harrington "fabric" Drop-Head-Coupe Sports Tourer coachwork.

Mercedes Benz records confirm the full details of the order, construction and delivery of chassis 32019 to British Mercedes-Benz, Ltd, London on April 13, 1927. Although many of the chassis left the Mercedes-Benz factory without coachwork, they were complete with radiator, headlights, full running gear, large wire wheels, firewall and three massive exhaust pipes protruding from the side of the engine.

The first UK based owner of this vehicle is unknown. It did however survive the war years and then passed through the hands of several prominent UK families over the next 55 years. It remained in the UK until being purchased and traveling to a collector in Thailand. In the late 1980s, another prominent Thai family with government connections heard that the car had been seized by customs officials and was in storage awaiting sale. They used their influence and were able to purchase 32019 for their collection where it remained for nearly twenty years.