Mercedes W29 Overview: Generations, Specs and Which Version to Buy
An overview of the Mercedes W29, a rear-wheel-drive cabrio built from 1934 to 1936 with 100–160 hp, covering its single generation and the standout 5.0-litre versions.
The Mercedes W29 is a rear-wheel-drive cabrio produced from 1934 to 1936, offered with manual gearboxes and outputs ranging from 100 to 160 hp. It suits collectors and enthusiasts of pre-war open-top Mercedes cars who want a classic cabrio from a short, clearly defined production run rather than a daily driver.
Mercedes W29 generations
1 generation (1934–1936)
The first and only generation of the Mercedes W29 was built from 1934 to 1936 exclusively as a cabrio. It came with manual transmissions and rear-wheel drive, with power outputs spanning 100 to 160 hp across 3 modifications. The most notable versions are the Mercedes W29 5.0 MT4 and 5.0 MT5, both powered by a 5018 cc engine producing 160 hp — the former was the volume version, the latter the top performer of the range.
Which Mercedes W29 to buy
- 5.0 MT4 (1 generation): the mass-market version of the range, with a 5018 cc engine delivering 160 hp through a manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive.
- 5.0 MT5 (1 generation): the most powerful choice at 160 hp from the same 5018 cc engine, distinguished by its five-speed manual transmission.
Since every Mercedes W29 dates from 1934–1936 and belongs to a single generation, there is no newer or older variant to weigh against another — any surviving example is a pre-war car, so condition and completeness matter far more than the specific model year. The single-generation, three-modification lineup also makes it straightforward to identify exactly which version a given car is.
Summary
The Mercedes W29 lineup is compact: one generation, one cabrio body, manual gearboxes, rear-wheel drive, and a 100–160 hp spread across 3 modifications built between 1934 and 1936. The Mercedes W29 5.0 MT4 (1 generation) and Mercedes W29 5.0 MT5 (1 generation) sit at the top of the range with 160 hp each from a 5018 cc engine, differing in their manual transmissions. Buyers choosing between them are effectively choosing between the widespread MT4 version and the MT5 with the same 160 hp output.