Renders 1960s Mercedes Benz Design - Paul Bracq

[Rolf]

I was browsing some sites on car designs from Paul Bracq during his time at both Mercedes and BMW and found these amazing design sketches. This man designed some of the finest looking cars of the 60's and 70's and was so influencial for the future of BMW and Mercedes cars that we known and loved.

Even some American influence in these designs, but glad they didnt come to the market

The magnificent 600

W108 from 1965

190SL beauty

Pagoda classic.

Some magestic looking 600 concept sketches

Advert poster for the 230SL Pagoda

Some design concepts for the Pagoda. Glad these were not finalized.

A very interesting render and model is this potential SLX mid engined sports car and shooting brake.

Apparently was a design prototype for a W118 Rotaty powered saloon that bears some resemblance to the NSU RO80. A very clean good looking design.,

Another potential W110 junior saloon with Pagoda sports grill

W114/115 Mid range saloon and even concept render with horizontal lights

Future coupes.

Some very striking outlandish designs

This is perhaps my favorite design, it looks so sleek and elegant

American influence

1964 and 1965 sketches of designs for the W116 in saloon and coupe.

 

[Merc1]

Wow that’s a lot. Would kill to see what Mercedes has on those drawing boards right now.

M

 

[Deleted member 1071]

Would kill to see what Mercedes has on those drawing boards right now.

M

Focusing on the upcoming bespoke EA platforms, I trust that M-B has a plethora of very interesting automobiles in the works.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

Today I encountered this very good looking 280 S (W108) A beauty.

 

[Deleted member 57437]

Today I encountered this very good looking 280 S (W108) A beauty.

The W108/109 could be perceived as M-Bs' introduction to a Neue Sachlichkeit. Clean, easily comprehendible design devoid of the ornamentation of the upper-level W111/112 "Fintail" sedans. It actually adopted a few design cues from the 2 door W111/112 coupe/cabriolet.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

The W108/109 could be perceived as M-Bs' introduction to a Neue Sachlichkeit. Clean, easily comprehendible design devoid of the ornamentation of the upper-level W111/112 "Fintail" sedans. It actually adopted a few design cues from the 2 door W111/112 coupe/cabriolet.

Absolutely. I think the term clean is a very appropriate word for Bracq‘s design. The Neue Sachlichkeit wasn’t showing yet in it’s interior. The early W116 however was, with it’s stripped down interior, devoid of luxury compared to it’s predecessor.

 

[Deleted member 57437]

Absolutely. I think the term clean is a very appropriate word for Bracq‘s design. The Neue Sachlichkeit wasn’t showing yet in it’s interior. The early W116 however was, with it’s stripped down interior, devoid of luxury compared to it’s predecessor.

Anecdote time:

As a young teenaged lad in Munich, I saw Roberto Blanco exiting his gorgeous medium-blue metallic W108 while riding my bicycle down the Schwanthalerstraße. I just had to stop and take a closer look at the car. Ein bißchen Spaß muss sein, oder ? It was so cool. It was fitted with thin-stripe whitewall tires as well. They really pulled that car together. It must have been in 1969 or 1970.

 

[Rolf]

Certainly one of the most elegant and majestic Mercedes saloons of all time. The W108 gave its rivals a hard time during this 1970 comparison in AMuS. It was a close comparison and the 280SE finished just 1point behind the Opel in 2nd place and ahead of the 3rd placed Fiat also by 1 point

 

[Deleted member 57437]

Certainly one of the most elegant and majestic Mercedes saloons of all time. The W108 gave its rivals a hard time during this 1970 comparison in AMuS. It was a close comparison and the 280SE finished just 1point behind the Opel in 2nd place and ahead of the 3rd placed Fiat also by 1 point

I clearly recall that particular issue of AMuS.

Isn't it interesting that Opel and FIAT have long totally disappeared from the segment ? And Jaguar appears to be on the verge of drawing its' terminal breath.

 

[Rolf]

I clearly recall that particular issue of AMuS.

Isn't it interesting that Opel and FIAT have long totally disappeared from the segment ? And Jaguar appears to be on the verge of drawing its' terminal breath.

I find it amazing how good the Opel large cars were in the 70's they gave BMW and Mercedes a run for their money, but somehow the later models just got left behind. The Jaguar XJ6 Series I and II were defining cars for the British brand, they tore the rule book apart with their brilliant ride comfort (due to the double wishbone suspension) and low noise levels. Its such a shame that Jaguar will soon be in a coffin 6ft under, they were the ultimate leather and wood executive express.

 

[Deleted member 57437]

I find it amazing how good the Opel large cars were in the 70's they gave BMW and Mercedes a run for their money, but somehow the later models just got left behind.

The series I as well as series II KAD (Kapitän/Admiral/Diplomat) Opels were the products of a fusion of German and Detroit (GM) know-how. Especially the top-of-the-line small-block GM V8s (made Autobahn-proof) under the bonnets of the Diplomat, made them fast as well as comfortable cruisers. The series II (Diplomat B) cars also featured the De Dion-axled underpinnings that made them decent handling automobiles as well. The Senator/Monza successors never could manage to pick up where the KADs' left off in 1977, as they were really nothing more than dolled-up Rekord Es' on steroids.

The Jaguar XJ6 Series I and II were defining cars for the British brand, they tore the rule book apart with their brilliant ride comfort (due to the double wishbone suspension) and low noise levels. Its such a shame that Jaguar will soon be in a coffin 6ft under, they were the ultimate leather and wood executive express.

I've always perceived the series I and II XJ sedans as being the most fascinating 4 door luxury cars of their time.

 

[dalab]

Certainly one of the most elegant and majestic Mercedes saloons of all time. The W108 gave its rivals a hard time during this 1970 comparison in AMuS. It was a close comparison and the 280SE finished just 1point behind the Opel in 2nd place and ahead of the 3rd placed Fiat also by 1 point

I never saw one of those FIAT, nor did I imagine that it existed and even less that it ever shared that segment, by the score it is seen that it was a very good car.

To think that not so long ago we all used to brake like this, we were kamikazes, but it put your brake skills to the test and it was very fun until you slipped under a truck

 

[dalab]

After learning about the works of Paul Bracq and Brunno Sacco I have difficulties deciding which is better of the two, I think it's a tie, each one in his time, what Bracq did for Mercedes and BMW is so worthy, which is It's almost incredible how he contributed so much and adapted to two such different philosophies with such excellence, and well about Sacco, I don't even know where to start praising him.

Perhaps the two best car designers in history to date? Well, Pininfarina is also in the photo.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

I never saw one of those FIAT, nor did I imagine that it existed and even less that it ever shared that segment, by the score it is seen that it was a very good car.

The coupé version of the FIAT 130 was a real beauty. Design by Pininfarina

 

[Mick Briesgau]

 

[Deleted member 57437]

The W108/109 had relatively antiquated underpinnings in direct comparison to its' AMuS competitors. Most components were simply carried-over from the W111/112 "Fintails" As displayed in the photograph above, the W108/109 was not the most stable car under heavy braking. The areas in which it "shined" were its' innovative "crash zoned" body structure, perhaps the best seats in the business at the time, robust, generously dimensioned mechanical components and the meticulous attention to assembly quality. Save the then mind-blowingly charismatic 300SEL 6.3 W109, it wasn't really an exceedingly remarkable automobile. Its' "brand equity" however was stratospheric.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

The W108/109 had relatively antiquated underpinnings in direct comparison to its' AMuS competitors. Most components were simply carried-over from the W111/112 "Fintails" As displayed in the photograph above, the W108/109 was not the most stable car under heavy braking. The areas in which it "shined" were its' innovative "crash zoned" body structure, perhaps the best seats in the business at the time, robust, generously dimensioned mechanical components and the meticulous attention to assembly quality. Save the then mind-blowingly charismatic 300SEL 6.3 W109, it wasn't really an exceedingly remarkable automobile. Its' "brand equity" however was stratospheric.

Indeed. W108 greatest problem was it‘s swing axle (Pendulumachse). In more, let’s say dynamic situations, it was almost a dangerous car to drive. It’s effect can clearly been seen in the picture @Rolf posted, where you see W108 braking. Heavy braking in corners, was something you better did not do in a W108.

 

[Rolf]

Another brilliant design was the first C/CE models from the 60's. The 250CE with this sea blue metallic is such a elegant sports coupe.

 

[Deleted member 57437]

Another brilliant design was the first C/CE models from the 60's. The 250CE with this sea blue metallic is such a elegant sports coupe.

A schoolmates' father had a new 250CE back around 1970. Very nice medium blue metallic with a creme-coloured interior. Just a few months old, the car has stolen from in front of the familys' apartment in Munich. I remember how livid with anger my mates' father was. So angry, that he vowed never to purchase an expensive luxury car again. He bought a FIAT 124 sedan as a replacement-and was happy with it. The stolen 250CE was found months later in southern Italy, but since the insurance company had already reimbursed the loss, I suspect that they took possession of the car.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

A schoolmates' father had a new 250CE back around 1970. Very nice medium blue metallic with a creme-coloured interior. Just a few months old, the car has stolen from in front of the familys' apartment in Munich. I remember how livid with anger my mates' father was. So angry, that he vowed never to purchase an expensive luxury car again. He bought a FIAT 124 sedan as a replacement-and was happy with it. The stolen 250CE was found months later in southern Italy, but since the insurance company had already reimbursed the loss, I suspect that they took possession of the car.

In Italy of all places; how non-typical for the zeitgeist of that day and age…?
If I’m not mistaking @Oida, the C and CE /8 were extremely popular and I can imagine a delivery/waiting periode of well over two years. Do you know/remember how long you’d had to wait after ordering?