Paul Bracq and the design of classic Mercedes icons
Hardly any other designer has defined the appearance of classic Mercedes models as lastingly as Paul Bracq. During his time at Daimler-Benz, he created vehicle designs that are still considered style-defining today. A look at his work shows which models established his reputation and why they are coveted classics today.
Paul Bracq - a formative designer for the automotive industry
Paul Bracq is probably one of the most influential designers for the automotive industry in history. He was born
on 13 December 1933 in Bordeaux. From 1950 to 1953, he graduated from the École Boulle for Design in the French
capital Paris.
Through his work in the early 1950s, Bracq was employed as a designer at Daimler-Benz in Sindelfingen for ten
years, starting in 1957. During this time, Paul Bracq brought automobile designs onto the market that are still
very popular with Mercedes fans today. Models for which Paul Bracq is known include
- Pagoda (W 113)
- Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman / Landaulet
- S-Class (W108 / W109)
- Strike 8 (W114 / W115)
Mercedes-Benz W113 - Codeword PagodaWhat did Carl Benz invent?
The popular car made its debut in the spring of 1963. After a period of just over 50 years, the Mercedes-Benz W 113 classic car (codeword Pagoda) has grown into one of the most attractive classic cars in the world. The special features of this vehicle lie in the interplay between the concave curves and the convex design. However, the popularity of Paul Bracq's vehicle was not a given right from the start. At the very beginning of the car's introduction, the reaction was rather amused and so it was given the derisive name Pagoda, by which this model is very well known today.
Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman / Landaulet
The Pullman from Bracq has always been synonymous with large and luxurious touring cars and V.I.P. saloons. This model can be recognised by its long shape, closed hood and at least six windows on the sides. Landaulets developed from four-wheeled coaches for two people into the high-end luxury class of saloon cars. The Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman thus combined the advantages of two vehicle types.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class W108 / W109
The models Mercedes-Benz introduced in the mid-1960s W108 and W109 by designer Paul Bracq, are referred to as the "Old S-Class" and are characterised by their grandiose lines. The vehicles also radiate self-confidence and sovereignty due to their size. A certain quality is immediately recognisable. To this day, both current models and older S-Class models enjoy great popularity.
Mercedes-Benz Stroke 8 / Stroke Eight (W114 / W115)
The W114 / W115 models produced by Mercedes in 1967 were then available for sale a year later, in 1968. Together, the two series 2 models are called Mercedes-Benz Stroke 8 (also / 8). The W114 models each had six cylinders, while the W115 models all had four cylinders.
Mercedes classic car spare parts
Are you interested in refurbishing your dash 8, W113, Pullman or the old S-Class? Then you've come to the right place! Niemöller, Ersatzteile für Mercedes-Benz Veteranen e. K. is one of the world's leading dealers of Mercedes classic car spare parts. Here in our online shop you will find everything your heart desires!
