The allure of powerful vehicles is often intertwined with figures of authority, and history is replete with examples of infamous leaders and their equally notorious cars. While Josef Stalin favored the ZIS-115 and Benito Mussolini the Lancia Astura, perhaps no vehicle is as symbolically charged as Adolf Hitler’s Mercedes-Benz 770K Grosser Offener Tourenwagen. This particular car, beyond its engineering marvel, represents a chilling chapter in history, now surfacing in classified adverts as a historically significant war trophy.
This week, we delve into the story of this Mercedes-Benz 770K Grosser Offener Tourenwagen, a car inextricably linked to one of history’s most reviled figures, Adolf Hitler. Its significance extends beyond mere automotive interest; it stands as a captured relic of World War II, seized by Allied forces from the heart of Nazi Germany.
Historical records indicate this Mercedes-Benz 770K was initially commissioned by Erich Kempka, Hitler’s long-serving personal chauffeur. Upon completion, the factory itself designated it as the “fourth Führer-Car,” underscoring its special status within Hitler’s fleet.
Although Hitler possessed a collection of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, each served distinct purposes. Chassis number 189744, the focus of our story, was primarily reserved for state occasions, intended to transport visiting dignitaries and heads of state alongside the Nazi dictator. This car, therefore, bore witness to some of the most sinister alliances and figures of the 1930s and 40s.
For a vehicle designed to carry such prominent – albeit malevolent – figures of its era, security was paramount. The 770K boasted cutting-edge protection for its time, including thick bulletproof glass and reinforced armor plating capable of withstanding 30mm shells. Adding to its defenses were pop-up armor plates, adaptable to varying threat levels. The convertible design, seemingly at odds with such heavy security, speaks volumes about the paradoxical nature of dictators who crave both protection and public adoration.
The precise deployment of this 770K during WWII remains largely undocumented. However, historical evidence confirms its presence at three pivotal events.
The first documented appearance occurred on June 18, 1940, during a parade in Munich. Hitler and Mussolini, symbols of burgeoning fascist power, rode side-by-side in this imposing Mercedes-Benz, showcasing their alliance to the world. Following Nazi Germany’s triumph over France, the 770K featured again in a victory parade on July 6, 1940, further cementing its role in Nazi propaganda and displays of power.
Its final documented appearance in this context was on May 4, 1941, after the Nazi conquests of Yugoslavia and Greece. This Mercedes-Benz 770K was once again selected to transport Hitler during the victory parade, solidifying its status as a vehicle closely associated with Nazi military successes and territorial expansion.
By 1943, as the tide of WWII began to turn against Germany and Allied bombing intensified, production of the Mercedes-Benz 770K ceased. Heavy bombing raids inflicted severe damage on the Sindelfingen factory where it was produced, effectively ending the car’s manufacturing run.
In 1945, amidst the collapse of Nazi Germany, the US Army, during the liberation, confiscated numerous vehicles belonging to Hitler and his regime, including this particular 770K. Recognizing its historical importance, the US Army opted to preserve it as a war trophy, relocating it to France.
In France, the Mercedes-Benz was integrated into a motor pool for officer use. The irony of Allied officers driving a car once used by Hitler is palpable. For the soldiers, it must have served as a potent symbol of victory, a tangible representation of conquered tyranny now repurposed for the cause of freedom.
After its military service, the car transitioned through a series of owners across Europe and the United States. One particularly unusual transaction involved A.H. Vander Elst, Jr., a Belgian tobacco magnate. In post-war Europe, tobacco was a valuable commodity. Vander Elst, seeking to sustain his business amidst scarcity, traded the Mercedes-Benz for $1,800 worth of tobacco to Tom N. Austin, another prominent figure in the tobacco industry.
Austin subsequently donated the car to his local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) branch as a war relic. However, the VFW lacked the resources to maintain the complex Mercedes-Benz, and it soon fell into disrepair, languishing in a shed.
In 1976, classic car enthusiasts Steve Munson and Joe Ogden stumbled upon the neglected 770K. Initially believing it belonged to SS Commander Heinrich Himmler, they soon uncovered its true, more significant, history.
Upon realizing the car’s profound connection to Hitler, Munson and Ogden undertook a full restoration, returning it to its original factory condition. Following restoration, the Mercedes-Benz became a traveling exhibit, appearing in numerous museums across the country, captivating audiences with its dark past and remarkable engineering. In 1983, casino magnate Ralph Engelstad acquired the car, adding it to his Imperial Palace Auto Collection in Las Vegas, Nevada.
After Engelstad’s death in 2002, his estate liquidated the collection. The Mercedes-Benz returned to Europe, becoming part of a private 21-car collection. Now, nearly eight decades after its construction, this historically charged vehicle is being offered for auction by Worldwide Auctioneers in Scottsdale, Arizona. While the auction estimate remains undisclosed, previous appraisals valued the car at over one million dollars.
Despite its undeniable connection to Nazi atrocities, there’s a compelling argument for preserving this Mercedes-Benz 770K. It serves as a tangible and mobile artifact of both automotive and world history, a chilling reminder of the past. Furthermore, in a move towards acknowledging and learning from history, 10% of the auction proceeds will be donated to organizations dedicated to Holocaust education, aiming to prevent similar horrors in the future. This auction presents a unique opportunity to not only acquire a piece of automotive history but also to contribute to vital historical education and remembrance.
