Overview

First produced in 1928, Mercedes-Benz Coupés became the embodiment of elegance and exclusivity on four wheels. Their design became an experience for all the senses, appealing to every emotion. Hans-Dieter Futschik, the designer responsible for many of the later Mercedes-Benz models, said of the Saloon Coupé: 'A shorter wheelbase compared with the saloons gives it different proportions that are almost sports car-like in character. The passenger compartment is set further back. This gives it a sportier look than a saloon. In addition, the greenhouse is smaller and more streamlined than the basic body. It looks like a small head set on a muscular body, exuding a powerful and more dynamic attitude... Everything radiates power, elegance and agility.' This complete guide includes an overview of early automotive history; pre-merger design from both Benz and Daimler; the historical protagonists and how they influenced the design; how design and fashion change vehicle shape; the continued development of Saloon Coupe design to suit every class and finally, the modern idea of the Coupe. AUTHOR: Dr Nik Greene has written many feature articles and regular copy for classic car and club magazines in the UK and France. When not working as a criminologist he prefers to spend his time in the Limousin area of France where he has a property with ample barn and workshop space for his cars. Apart from the Mercedes 560SE and the Mercedes G-Wagen, his stable also includes several classic Citroens and Renaults. 253 colour photographs

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9781785009334

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This is a thorough and wide-ranging history of Mercedes-Benz Coupes, but also includes a creditable history of the early automobile. Mercedes-Benz being better known for its saloon cars, this book should have much to offer even seasoned Merc fans. -- Charlie Calderwood, Classic Car Weekly * Classic Car Weekly * This book about Mercedes might appear to be extremely niche with its focus on saloon coupes. However, this has wider appeal, with the initial chapters looking not only at the development of cars in general, but also at how the new vehicles drew on the designs and nomenclature of horse-drawn carriages. It doesn't really get stuck into the saloon coupes as we would recognise them today until at least a third of the way through the book, but for us that made it more interesting. -- Simon Goldsworthy, Classics Monthly, * Classics Monthly *

Author Information

Having always had a special interest in classic cars and a thirst for knowledge it didn't take long for Dr Nik Greene to take his first steps into writing. As a fan of Jaguar cars he was invited to write regular monthly articles in both club and specialist Jaguar magazines.  This opened up the door to writing regularly for many UK and French Classic car magazines.  When not working as a criminologist he spent his time in the Limousin area of France. He had his own stable of cars including a rare Mercedes 560Se, Mercedes G-Wagen and several classic Citroens and Renaults.  

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