W123 Pagoda???

[mdsalemi]

Submitted for your greater enjoyment:

My work with the living legend himself, Mr. Paul Bracq has given me unbelievable experiences and a wealth of information for which I feel very fortunate.  Speaking with Mr. Bracq is a joy as he is so enthusiastic about everything!  Many of you know the MBCA-International Stars is nominating him for inclusion in the Automotive Hall of Fame, and that's how I've come to know him.

Did you know there was, on the drawing board, a W123 4-door Pagoda?  Drawn in 1962.  Take a look:

Download Attachment: W123 Pagoda.jpg
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Check out that Pagoda roof; but look at that wrap-around glass at the C pillar!  Whooeee!

But wait, there's more!  How about the K55 prototype?  Looks an awful lot like an NSU Prinze to me, with shades of the BMW 1600/2000/2002 look to it as well.  I can't imagine MB ever making anything like that; but then again they are involved in Smart Cars...Check it out; is it coming or going?

Download Attachment: K55.jpg
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Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

[enochbell]

Michael,

Great old pics, clearly the W123 was less "drawing board" than "rough sketch pad".  As you note, the C-pillar which is really the B-pillar because there IS no B-pillar to speak of? and the scant A-pillar lead me to believe the cabin must be pressurized in order to support the roof...

g

'64 230sl, fully sorted out...ooops, spoke too soon

[mdsalemi]

quote:Originally posted by enochbell

Michael,

Great old pics, clearly the W123 was less "drawing board" than "rough sketch pad".  As you note, the C-pillar which is really the B-pillar because there IS no B-pillar to speak of? and the scant A-pillar lead me to believe the cabin must be pressurized in order to support the roof...

g

'64 230sl, fully sorted out...ooops, spoke too soon

...don't really know Greg, about that W123...The K55 actually made it to prototype; I have another picture of Bela Beranyi laying down in the prototype, so who knows about the W123!  Maybe it too went further.  Be careful what you say, I have another photo of Mr. Bracq at the drawing board (as opposed to sketch pad!) with the W123 on it!

Yes, when you are an artist you can do things like "assume" the B pillar, etc.  Kind of fun though, to see all the evolutionary designs.

Pressurized cockpit--now maybe you are on to something!

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

[enochbell]

With that said, what I wouldn't give for a dinner with Paul Bracq.  I don't think I would even know what to ask, but to have an opportunity to get some understanding how an industrial and design pioneer looks at the world would be worth the price of admission.  Crazy idea, but why not invite him to the next gathering of this illustrious group?  Sure, he rubs elbows with giants...but none more appreciative of the marque than the boards' members.  Just a thought.

g

'64 230sl, fully sorted out...ooops, spoke too soon

[mdsalemi]

quote:Originally posted by enochbell

With that said, what I wouldn't give for a dinner with Paul Bracq.  I don't think I would even know what to ask, but to have an opportunity to get some understanding how an industrial and design pioneer looks at the world would be worth the price of admission.  Crazy idea, but why not invite him to the next gathering of this illustrious group?  Sure, he rubs elbows with giants...but none more appreciative of the marque than the boards' members.  Just a thought.

g

'64 230sl, fully sorted out...ooops, spoke too soon

We are on the same page! I invited him to two things this year Greg, but alas he wasn't able to make them.  This was some 50th anniversary MBCA stuff, and then the Meeting of the Clans.  But, with the Hall of Fame nomination, I'm confident he'll get in and he'd HAVE to show up for the induction in October 2007!  "If I'm still alive" he said to me...

At least we have a relationship now, he might actually accept an invitation to something next year.

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

[psmith]

I noticed Mr. Bracq's signature in a previous post and again on the W123 drawing, it's very artistic.  Do you think he could be talked into authorizing a "Designed by Paul Bracq" window sticker?  Maybe the group could sell them to raise a little money.

Pete S.

[Ed Cave]

From the side elevation, there are few hints as to whether the K55 is coming or going!  

Very cool stuff. Thanks for sharing!

Ed Cave
Atlanta, GA


1971 280SL
1973 911S
2004 A4 3.0
2006 GS430

[rhersberger]

The K 55 kinda reminds me of a Borgward.  Remember that.  Or maybe an Opel that got abducted by aliens.

[rwmastel]

quote:Originally posted by psmith

I noticed Mr. Bracq's signature in a previous post and again on the W123 drawing, it's very artistic.  Do you think he could be talked into authorizing a "Designed by Paul Bracq" window sticker?  Maybe the group could sell them to raise a little money.

Very interesting idea!  Michael, in your "spare" time, maybe this could be a topic in future discussion w/ Mr. Bracq?

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[mdsalemi]

I'm working all the angles...

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

[JPMOSE]

Pretty darn ugly in my opinion.

Best Regards,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL
1987 560SL

[Ben]

Mmm interesting drawings indeed !

To me the W123 drawing does not look unlike the eventual W114/115 "New Generation" that replaced the Fintails saloons !

That reference to the NSU Prinz may hold water since DB worked with Audi NSU in the 60's and effectively the first modern Audi as we now know the company was powered by a Mercedes engine in about 1965. The Audi company made up the prototype in secret and it was only seen at a very late stage by DB engineers who gave it the thumbs up !

They were actively looking for a cheaper brand, giving rise to the comment about Audi's as "poor man's Mercedes"

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.

[waltklatt]

Looks like the K55 is following the Lincoln Continental with the 4 doors that open from the B post.  Might be a minaturized version though.
Walter Klatt
1967 220SL-diesel(taking after the original development W113 from MB in 1959)
1963 230SL-gas

[hands_aus]

I wonder if it was amphibious also?

Bob Smith (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto

[joelj]

This sounds like a good idea I'd buy a sticker. 2 in fact since I think he also designed the w111 cabriolet

cheers,

joel

quote:Originally posted by psmith

I noticed Mr. Bracq's signature in a previous post and again on the W123 drawing, it's very artistic.  Do you think he could be talked into authorizing a "Designed by Paul Bracq" window sticker?  Maybe the group could sell them to raise a little money.

Pete S.

1969 280sl auto
White exterior
Blue interior