Description
The Mercedes-Benz 24/100/140 PS Type 630 Park-Ward was one of the most exclusive and distinguished coachbuilt interpretations of Mercedes’ early supercharged luxury flagship. Built during the mid-1920s, when Mercedes supplied high-performance rolling chassis to Europe’s finest coachbuilders, the Park-Ward version stood apart for its refined British craftsmanship, elegant proportions and superbly finished interiors. It represented the meeting point of German engineering strength and British coachbuilding artistry, producing a grand touring car of remarkable presence and sophistication.
The Type 630 series evolved from the earlier 24/100/140 PS platform and shared its powerful 6.3-litre inline-six engine equipped with the mechanical Kompressor system. In standard operation the engine produced around 100 horsepower, but when the supercharger was engaged—activated through full throttle and driving a Roots-type blower—the output rose to approximately 140 horsepower. This gave the Park-Ward version the same formidable performance as its siblings: strong low-end torque, rapid acceleration for a luxury car of its size and a distinctive change in tone as the Kompressor delivered its surge of pressurised air. This combination of smooth touring behaviour and dramatic, on-demand power was one of Mercedes’ defining technical achievements of the era.
The chassis remained the strong steel ladder-frame used across the 630 range, engineered to support large, luxurious bodies while offering stability at the higher cruising speeds that the supercharged engine made possible. The wheelbase was usually the standard, longer version, ideal for accommodating an elegant multi-seat coachbuilt design. Suspension used semi-elliptic leaf springs front and rear, providing a compliant ride suited to long-distance motoring. Four-wheel drum brakes offered reliable stopping power, a modern and forward-thinking feature in the 1920s when many luxury cars were still experimenting with braking systems.
Park-Ward, one of Britain’s most respected coachbuilders based in London, crafted bodies that were known for their refined proportions, restrained styling and impeccable workmanship. On the Mercedes 630 chassis, Park-Ward typically produced formal and semi-formal open or closed designs, often in the style of a sporting cabriolet, phaeton or luxury saloon. The hallmark was elegant understatement: sweeping wings, a tall radiator, elongated bonnet and carefully balanced cabin lines that complemented the substantial Mercedes chassis. The Park-Ward interpretation leaned toward British aristocratic taste rather than the more flamboyant Continental styles, giving the 630 a dignified, stately presence.
Inside, the Park-Ward bodies displayed a level of craftsmanship unavailable on factory-bodied models. Cabins were trimmed in fine Connolly leather, with solid wood veneers, polished metal fittings and tailored upholstery. Spacious seating, deep carpets and custom-made interior fixtures emphasised comfort and refinement. The dashboard blended British design elegance with Mercedes’ precise mechanical instrumentation, including gauges for oil pressure, water temperature and the characteristic Kompressor indicator. The interior environment reflected the priorities of both brands: German engineering clarity and British luxury tradition.
On the road, the Type 630 Park-Ward delivered a unique blend of power, refinement and long-distance capability. In normal running the car behaved as a smooth, quiet and imposing luxury tourer, ideal for extended travel or city motoring. When the driver engaged the supercharger, the character shifted dramatically: the large six-cylinder engine produced a strong, urgent surge of power that made the heavy coachbuilt body surprisingly quick. The strong chassis and capable brakes complemented the performance, allowing the 630 Park-Ward to maintain high average speeds across open European roads with confidence and ease.
Historically, the Park-Ward 630 occupies an important niche. It represents the period when Mercedes supplied its most advanced mechanical platforms to the world’s finest coachbuilders, a tradition that soon gave way to the factory-built S-, SS- and SSK-type performance cars. The 630 Park-Ward therefore stands as a transitional masterpiece: a luxurious, bespoke creation built on the mechanical foundations that would soon lead to some of the most iconic supercharged sporting machines ever produced.
Today, the Mercedes-Benz 24/100/140 PS Type 630 Park-Ward is exceptionally rare and highly prized by collectors. Its combination of early Kompressor engineering, grand-touring capability and prestigious British coachwork makes it one of the most desirable pre-SSK Mercedes variants. It remains a remarkable example of cross-European automotive excellence—German power and innovation fused with British elegance and craftsmanship.