From 1946, Mercedes-Benz had a single model policy, out of necessity. Recovery from World War II was slow, and the pre-war 170 V was the only model for which usable tooling had survived. The standard model was a four-door saloon, but a number of commercial and special versions were derived. Amongst them was the OTP Police Special.

Furnished only to official organisations, the Police Special was more basic than the 170 Cabriolets of the 1930s. In the beginning, all were painted “Police Green”, but blue soon became the favoured colour. It was the first 170 with an outside boot lid, which was a feature that was so useful that it was soon adopted for the civilian market.

This example of the OTP Police Special has been decommissioned and restored as a civilian four-door cabriolet. It is red with black wings and mouldings, and it has black vinyl upholstery and black fabric floor mats. The paint shows only minor blemishes, and the brightwork is generally good, although the Bosch headlamps have a few pits.

Fitted with the diesel version of the 170 engine, it has mechanical fuel injection and a four-speed manual gearbox. The engine compartment shows use, but it is fully functional, and the undercarriage is in similar condition. There is a radio aerial, although the radio itself has been removed. The spare wheel on the rear is fitted with a vinyl cover.

This handsome 170 Da OTP is a very attractive automobile, and it may be regarded as the Cabriolet D of the 1950s. It is an example of the car that Mercedes could have built but never put into production. As one of only five hundred thirty Police Specials built, it is rare in its own right.