The Mercedes-Benz 770K Grosser Offener Tourenwagen goes up for auction: the personal limousine of Adolf Hitler

Throughout world history, we have come across hundreds of historic and very curious vehicles, but the case we bring you today crosses the line between the curious and the chilling. On this occasion, we have come across a vehicle that marked a before and after, thanks to its advanced technology and impressive mechanics, since at the time it represented a major revolution. It is the Mercedes-Benz 770K Grosser Offener Tourenwagen, better known as the “Super Mercedes” and even better known for having belonged to the Nazi army, specifically to the dictator Adolf Hitler.

This vehicle will be auctioned by Worldwide Auctioneers, who will allocate 10% of the total price to teaching and education about the horror of the Holocaust. The Mercedes 770K was a feat of engineering in its day, and the German firm needed eleven months to complete the production of this very special vehicle, which had been commissioned by the Chancellor of Germany with the intention of using it as a personal limousine and showing itself on the streets of the country during his usual strolls.

The “Super Mercedes” was used by the dictator between 1939 and 1941, a period in which the regime imposed by Hitler was at its peak. Without a doubt, the 770K was a true limousine, capable of comfortably accommodating up to four occupants. Aesthetically it was a vehicle with a great deal of presence, which is logical considering that it measured almost six meters in length and weighed 2,700 kg.

Only 88 units of this Mercedes were produced and it had an unprecedented level of resilience. Its tubular chassis was designed to withstand any type of torsion and used specially chosen materials to keep its passengers safe. Originally, the 770K’s innards housed an atmospheric eight-cylinder inline engine capable of producing 150 CV, and it had a five-speed manual gearbox. Later, a turbocharger was installed that raised the power to 230 CV and allowed the Mercedes of the Führer to exceed 160 km/h.

This unit was commissioned by Erich Kempka, an SS officer to whom Hitler entrusted the mission of ordering a car worthy of his position. It was at that time that Mercedes was producing the W150 -the name given to the 770K- and the ideal opportunity arose to acquire a unit. Under chassis number 189744, this “Super Mercedes” became one of the most sinister -or curious- vehicles in motoring history.

Its build quality is remarkable since, after nearly 80 years of existence, the restoration process this unit has undergone has been minimal. The auction will take place on January 17th and, although we do not have an approximate figure for what this vehicle might cost, we suspect it could easily exceed 10 million euros.