MERCEDES-BENZ SPEZIAL CABRIOLET

One of the most familiar Pocher kits is that of the Mercedes cabriolet.  Famous for its devilishly difficult wire wheels and plagued with a working top, the Pocher Mercedes-Benz cabriolet is actually one of their most accurate kits.  It is patterned after two automobiles which utilized the Spezial Roadster hardware on a cabriolet body with the forward mounted radiator.  Follow along as DMC does its best to capture this elusive classic.

The first order of business, as usual, is to clean and paint some parts.  for the

Elves, the biggest problem is to avoid copying a previous project. 

Jan Melin's Volume II of his Mercedes-Benz: the Supercharged Eight-Cylinder Cars is a godsend

when it comes to understanding the widgets.  This lever extends through the engine block to

regulate the carburetor on the other side of the engine.

For fun, the Elves made a working lever set up for the supercharger clutch.  Big fun.

The auxiliary gas tank in the top of the firewall is being treated to a jazzy aluminum spill tray.

After receiving a three color paint job, the firewall is test fitted on the chassis.  Notice the tool box lid on its top surface.

The complicated swing-axle rear suspension and compensator springs are installed along with the main gas tank.

A lever switch from Radio Shack has been installed to activate the brake lights.

Jack and jack handle are the last details to be added to the chassis.

Ready for the radiator.

Time to start on the body.

Black leather is rarely seen on Pocher Mercedes-Benzes, but was very popular on the prototypes.

Once these pivots are back from the chrome shop, the seats can go together.

A hint of what's to come.

Scratch-built luggage straps are fitted to the rear of the seatback. . .

. . . so luggage can be secured in the area behind the front seats.

MMLtd. screens and scratch-built trim strips will brighten up the hood panels.

Final assemble is underway.

Portraits of the Spezial-Cabriolet

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