PKW4171 "Stroke Eight" saloons, Types 200 D - 280 E (114, 115 series), 1968 - 1973

"Stroke Eight" saloons, Types 200 D - 280 E (114, 115 series), 1968 - 1973

At the same time as the 280 S, 280 SE and 280 SL models, in January 1968, a "New Generation" of intermediate-class cars, too, was presented. The original range of model series W 114/115 comprised six models, from the 200 D with 55 hp 4-cylinder Diesel-engine to the 250 with 130 hp 6-cylinder carburettor-engine. The top model, the Type 250, could be distinguished by its exterior from its more profane brethren; it was the only model to sport a double bumper at the front.

The 4-cylinder Types 200 D to 220 were bracketed together in series W 115, while both 6-cylinder models 230 and 250 were assigned to series W 114. The models of the "New Generation" are called "Stroke Eight" models, a reference to the date of their appearance.

The salient feature of the new models from a construction point of view was the so-called "diagonal swing axle". For the first time, a serially produced Mercedes-Benz passenger car was built with a semi-trailing arm axle. Profound work on the development had resulted in a significantly improved driving perfomance, compared to the preceding models, without compromising handling quality.

In November 1968, the new type range of the "New Generation" was rounded off at the upper end by the addition of the two coupé models 250 C and 250 CE. The presentation of these models was also a debut: For the first time, an exclusive coupé version had become available within the intermediate class product line.

Another body version, which was presented in December 1968, possessed even more exclusive character, at least as far as its sales price and the number of units produced is concerned: An eight-seater saloon with a wheelbase that had been extended by 650 mm and three rows of seats. It was available as Type 220 D and 230, and from autumn 1973 as 240 D and 230.6. This version, of which almost 10,000 units were produced, was used primarily by taxi services and travel agencies, air carriers, embassies and public authorities. The share of Diesel-powered cars was particularly high among the eight-seated models - with a share of 78 %, this figure was significantly higher than among the conventional saloons.

In keeping with tradition, saloon and the long version of the saloon were available as chassis with partial bodywork, which were then built into ambulance cars, estates or other special bodies by body makers at home and abroad. Part of the chassis sales programme with a standard wheelbase were the Types 220 D, 220 and 230 and with an extended wheelbase the Types 220 D and 230. The chassis, too, underwent model revision in autumn 1973: the 220 D was replaced by the 240 D and the 220 by the 230.4. The 6-cylinder Type 230 continued to be produced as a 230.6. The ambulance bodies built by the Binz company in Lorch and Miesen company in Bonn were particularly popular. The body makers Pollmann in Bremen, Rappold in Wülfrath, Stolle in Hannover and Welsch in Mayen were the best-known German firms for the production of funeral cars.

In April 1972 the range of saloon models was completed by the Types 280 and 280 E. Both were furnished with a new 2.8-liter 6-cylinder dohc-engine which delivered 160 hp in its carburettor version and 185 hp in its fuel-injection version. The new top models of this series could be distinguished from their less powerful counterparts even without a glance at the type label. Beside the double bumper of the 250 model they were the only saloons of the series with a rear bumper, reaching right up to the rear wheel arches, and with two exhaust tail pipes.

Since the 280 and 280 E had appeared on the market, the 250 was no longer delivered with the former 2.5-liter engine but also with the 2.8-liter unit, which was already familiar from the Type 280 S but was now used in slightly derated form giving 130 hp. The export version of the Type 250 for the United States and Canada had been fitted with this type of engine as early as July 1970.

Mercedes-Benz Limousine (Baureihe 114, 115)
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Mercedes-Benz Limousine (Baureihe 114, 115)
Mercedes-Benz "Strich-Acht"-Limousine Typ 240 D lang bzw. 230.6 lang
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"Strich-Acht"-Limousine Typ 240 D lang bzw. 230.6 lang
Mercedes-Benz 280/280 E (W 114) and 280 C/280 CE (C 114) from 1972 had a long bumper at the rear as a special feature.
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280/280 E saloon and 280 C/280 CE Coupé - W/C 114
185 hp (136 kW) thanks to electronics: The M 110 engine of the Mercedes-Benz 280 E or 280 CE with D-Jetronic injection system and light-alloy cylinder head from the years 1971 to 1976
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Injection engine, Mercedes-Benz 280 E and 280 CE
Mercedes-Benz 230
114 series, 1967
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Mercedes-Benz 230
The well-known nickname "/8" of the mid-range models goes back to an in-plant designation for the year of presentation 1968. At first, only the four-cylinder models 200, 220, 200 D and 220 D are available. In 1970, the two six-cylinder models 230 and 250 follow, and in 1972, the legendary six-cylinder engine with two overhead camshafts appears in the 280 and 280 E. In 1974, the world's first five-cylinder diesel engine is installed in the series-produced 240 D 3.0 passenger car. As a matter of fact, it is the first five-cylinder engine ever built for passenger cars. The series also stands for another record: the Mercedes-Benz with the highest recorded mileage known to date is a Greek taxi, a 240 D model, built in 1976. The owner, taxi driver Gregorios Sachinidis from Thessaloniki, clocked 4.6 million kilometres.
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200 D saloon - W 115
Mercedes-Benz 200
aus den Jahren 1967 - 1973
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Mercedes-Benz 200
Mercedes-Benz 220
115 series, 1967
The well-known nickname "Stroke Eight" of the mid-range models is based on the initially internally used abbreviation /8 for the year of release of the new models, in order to distinguish them easily from the previous models, some of which had the same sales name.
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Mercedes-Benz 220
Mercedes-Benz 220
Huge demand resulting in long delivery times follows the impressive debut of the 115 and 114 series’ in January 1968. The portfolio initially includes six saloon models: In addition to the four-cylinder models of the 115 series, the 200, 220, 200 D and 220 D, the six-cylinder 230 and 250 variants are internally listed as an independent series (W 114).
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Mercedes-Benz 220
Mercedes-Benz 200 D
Engine compartment, 114 series, 1967
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Mercedes-Benz 200 D
The “Stroke 8” is characterized by a beautiful, modern rear end that also leaves its mark on the 114 series coupe, the first models of which, the 250 C and 250 CE, are launched in November 1968. It takes over the saloon’s suspension system, powertrain, floor assembly and parts of the body.
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Mercedes-Benz 250
Classic modernity with double bumper: Mercedes-Benz 250 of the W 114 model series from 1967.
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Mercedes-Benz 250 (W 114)
Mercedes-Benz 250
114 series, 1967
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Mercedes-Benz 250
Mercedes-Benz type 230 saloon, W 114, 1967-1973.
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230 saloon - W 114
Mercedes-Benz type 230 saloon, W 114, 1967-1973.
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230 saloon - W 114
Mercedes-Benz engine M180, 230 saloon, W 114, 1967-1973.
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Engine M180 - W 114
Mercedes-Benz engine type 250 (M130), 114 series 1970.
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Engine M130 - 114 series
Mercedes-Benz engine type OM 615 D 22, installed in the W 115 series from 1967
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Mercedes-Benz Diesel engine type OM 615
Mercedes-Benz Motor M 115 , verbaut im Typ 220, 1967 bis 1973
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Benzin Motor M 115
A view of the Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen, where the "Stroke Eight" is being assembled on two lines and the 113 series SL (Pagoda) sports cars are rolling off an adjacent one. Mercedes-Benz produces a total of more than 1.8 million "Stroke Eight" vehicles, making this upper mid-range vehicle family the first vehicle of the brand to be produced by the million.
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Sindelfingen plant
Werk Sindelfingen, Montage, ca. 1968
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Werk Sindelfingen
Werk Sindelfingen, Produktion, 1967
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Werk Sindelfingen
Top model fresh from the production line: Mercedes-Benz 250 (W 114) in final assembly at the Sindelfingen plant.
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Mercedes-Benz 250 (W 114)
Werk Sindelfingen, Montage, ca. 1970
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Werk Sindeflingen
The 1968 taxi version of the “Stroke 8” comes in a classic black finish. This is the traditional colour of German taxis and remains so until 1971, when the light ivory tone common today in the Federal Republic takes over. The series also boasts another record: The Mercedes-Benz with the highest known recorded mileage is a Greek taxi, a 1976 240 D, whose owner, taxi driver Gregorios Sachinidis from Thessaloniki had covered 4.6 million kilometres by 2004.
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Mercedes-Benz 200 D taxi version
Mercedes-Benz Typ 230, 1967 bis 1973
(nicht zugeordnet)
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MB 230
Mercedes-Benz Typ 220 D, Baureihe 114,115, aus dem Jahre 1973
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MB Typ 220 D, Baureihe 114,115
Still with classic rear lights: Mercedes-Benz 220 D of the W 115 model series, before the facelift in 1973.
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Mercedes-Benz 220 D (W 115)
Mercedes-Benz Type 200, 200 D, 220, 220 D, 230, from the years 1967 to 1973, W 114/W 115 series
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Mercedes-Benz 200, 200 D, 220, 220 D, 230 (W 114/115)
Mercedes-Benz Typ 250, Baureihe 114, 115, aus dem Jahre 1972
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MB Typ 250, Baureihe 114, 115
The well-known nickname "/8" of the mid-range models goes back to an in-plant designation for the year of presentation 1968. At first, only the four-cylinder models 200, 220, 200 D and 220 D are available. In 1970, the two six-cylinder models 230 and 250 follow, and in 1972, the legendary six-cylinder engine with two overhead camshafts appears in the 280 and 280 E. In 1974, the world's first five-cylinder diesel engine is installed in the series-produced 240 D 3.0 passenger car. As a matter of fact, it is the first five-cylinder engine ever built for passenger cars. The series also stands for another record: the Mercedes-Benz with the highest recorded mileage known to date is a Greek taxi, a 240 D model, built in 1976. The owner, taxi driver Gregorios Sachinidis from Thessaloniki, clocked 4.6 million kilometres.
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Typ 200 D
Mercedes-Benz "Stroke Eight" saloon (chassis with extended wheelbase) from the W 114, W 115 series.
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Mercedes-Benz "Stroke Eight" saloon
For chauffeur and seven passengers: The Mercedes-Benz 220 D long and 230 long models from December 1968 each had eight seats.
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Mercedes-Benz Type 220 D long and 230 long, 1968
Mercedes-Benz Taxi 220 D long and 230 long, 1968
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Mercedes-Benz 220 D long and 230 long
Mercedes-Benz 200, W 115
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Mercedes-Benz 200
Base model in fine red: Mercedes-Benz 200, W 115 series
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Mercedes-Benz 200 (W 115)
Mercedes-Benz Typ 200 D, Baureihe 114,115, aus dem Jahre 1973. Anordnung von Aschenbecher und Zigarettenanzünder
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MB Typ 200 D, Baureihe 114,115
Fittings of the Mercedes-Benz 220, W 115 series
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Mercedes-Benz 220 (W 115)
Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 "Strich-Acht"
Limousine, 1967
Tür mit Ablagefach mit PVC-Schaumpolsterung
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Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5
Im Vergleich: Mercedes-Benz C 111/II mit 4-Scheiben-Wankelmotor, ein MB 300 SEL 3.5-Liter, ein 300 SEL 6.3-Liter und eine Limousine vom Typ 250, auf der Einfahrbahn in Untertürkheim, 1969.
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Mercedes-Benz C 111/II, W 109, W 114
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