50 years in the past Mercedes-Benz developed the C 111-II and the C 111 predecessor as experimental automobiles. The primary in 1969 featured a Wankel rotary engine, however it’s the second with the 4 rotor engine that was the higher developed automobile.

In lower than a 12 months Mercedes had turned the primary C 111 right into a sensible sports activities tourer. Good visibility, baggage area, quiet, quick. All the appropriate elements, oh, and it was beautiful too.

Bruno Sacco and Josef Gallitzendörfer headed up the design division, they began work on the second technology in summer season 1969. In comparison with its predecessor, they improved visibility while nonetheless retaining gull wing doorways. The car’s aerodynamics have been additionally streamlined. They managed to enhance the aerodynamics by 8 % too.

The C 111-II was premiered on the Geneval Motor Present in March 1970. Mercedes had deliberate to construct 5 of those however introduced two alongside. In an uncommon transfer for protoypes, or ideas, these labored and drove. Giving passenger rides across the Circuit de Monthoux close to Geneva.

Mercedes constructed a number of totally different C 111s over the last decade. There was a plastic flooring variant of the C 111-II, the document breaking Diesel C 111-IID, C 111-III & IV. The final of those showing in 1979.

This was the final of Mercedes foray into Wankel rotary engine energy. 50 years on and so they haven’t tried it since and they’re most likely by no means will once more.