The Devil's Mercedes, The: The Bizarre and Disturbing Adventures of Hitlers Limousine in America

**Critically acclaimed author Robert Klara's __The Devil's Mercedes__ chases down one of the most improbable stories of the postwar era: the national drama that erupted when Hitler's armored limousine surfaced in the US.** In 1938, Mercedes-Benz began production of the largest, most luxurious limousine in the world. A machine of frightening power and sinister beauty, the Grosser 770K Model 150 __Offener Tourenwagen__ was 20 feet long, seven feet wide, and tipped the scales at 5 tons. Its supercharged, 230-horsepower engine propelled the beast to speeds over 100 m.p.h. while its occupants reclined on glove-leather seats stuffed with goose down. Armor plated and equipped with hidden compartments for Luger pistols, the 770K was a sumptuous monster with a monstrous patron: Adolph Hitler and the Nazi party. Deployed mainly for propaganda purposes before the war, the hand-built limousines—in which Hitler rode standing in the front seat—motored through elaborate rallies and appeared in countless newsreels, swiftly becoming the Nazi party's most durable symbol of wealth and power. Had Hitler not so thoroughly dominated the scene with his own megalomania, his opulent limousine could easily have eclipsed him. Most of the 770Ks didn't make it out of the rubble of World War II. But several of them did. And two of them found their way, secretly and separately, to the United States. In __The Devil's Mercedes__, author Robert Klara uncovers the forgotten story of how Americans responded to these rolling relics of fascism on their soil. The limousines made headlines, drew crowds, made fortunes and ruined lives. What never became public was how both of the cars would ultimately become tangled in a web of confusion, mania, and opportunism, fully entwined in a story of mistaken identity. Nobody knew that the limousine touted as Hitler's had in fact never belonged to him, while the Mercedes shrugged off as an ordinary staff car—one later abandoned in a warehouse and sold off as government surplus—turned out to be none other than Hitler's personal automobile. It would take 40 years, a cast of carnies and millionaires, the United States Army, and the sleuthing efforts of an obscure Canadian librarian to bring the entire truth to light. As he recounts this remarkable drama, Klara probes the meaning of these haunting hulks and their power to attract, excite and disgust. The limousines' appearance collided with an American populous celebrating a victory even as it sought to stay a step ahead of the war's ghosts. Ultimately, __The Devil's Mercedes__ isn't only the story of a rare and notorious car, but what that car taught postwar America about itself.

Critically acclaimed author Robert Klara's The Devil's Mercedes chases down one of the most improbable stories of the postwar era: the national drama that erupted when Hitler’s armored limousine surfaced in the US.

In 1938, Mercedes-Benz began production of the largest, most luxurious limousine in the world. A machine of frightening power and sinister beauty, the Grosser 770K Model 150 Offener Tourenwagen was 20 feet long, seven feet wide, and tipped the scales at 5 tons. Its supercharged, 230-horsepower engine propelled the beast to speeds over 100 m.p.h. while its occupants reclined on glove-leather seats stuffed with goose down. Armor plated and equipped with hidden compartments for Luger pistols, the 770K was a sumptuous monster with a monstrous patron: Adolph Hitler and the Nazi party.

Deployed mainly for propaganda purposes before the war, the hand-built limousines—in which Hitler rode standing in the front seat—motored through elaborate rallies and appeared in countless newsreels, swiftly becoming the Nazi party’s most durable symbol of wealth and power. Had Hitler not so thoroughly dominated the scene with his own megalomania, his opulent limousine could easily have eclipsed him.

Most of the 770Ks didn’t make it out of the rubble of World War II. But several of them did. And two of them found their way, secretly and separately, to the United States.

In The Devil’s Mercedes, author Robert Klara uncovers the forgotten story of how Americans responded to these rolling relics of fascism on their soil. The limousines made headlines, drew crowds, made fortunes and ruined lives. What never became public was how both of the cars would ultimately become tangled in a web of confusion, mania, and opportunism, fully entwined in a story of mistaken identity.

Nobody knew that the limousine touted as Hitler’s had in fact never belonged to him, while the Mercedes shrugged off as an ordinary staff car—one later abandoned in a warehouse and sold off as government surplus—turned out to be none other than Hitler’s personal automobile.

It would take 40 years, a cast of carnies and millionaires, the United States Army, and the sleuthing efforts of an obscure Canadian librarian to bring the entire truth to light.

As he recounts this remarkable drama, Klara probes the meaning of these haunting hulks and their power to attract, excite and disgust. The limousines’ appearance collided with an American populous celebrating a victory even as it sought to stay a step ahead of the war’s ghosts. Ultimately, The Devil’s Mercedes isn’t only the story of a rare and notorious car, but what that car taught postwar America about itself.

In 1938, Mercedes-benz Began Production Of The Largest, Most Luxurious Limousine In The World. A Machine Of Frightening Power And Sinister Beauty, The Grosser 770k Model 150 Offener Tourenwagen Was 20 Feet Long, Seven Feet Wide, And Tipped The Scales At 5 Tons. Its Supercharged, 230-horsepower Engine Propelled The Beast To Speeds Over 100 M.p.h. While Its Occupants Reclined On Glove-leather Seats Stuffed With Goose Down. Armor Plated And Equipped With Hidden Compartments For Luger Pistols, The 770k Was A Sumptuous Monster With A Monstrous Patron: Adolph Hitler And The Nazi Party. Deployed Mainly For Propaganda Purposes Before The War, The Hand-built Limousines--in Which Hitler Rode Standing In The Front Seat--motored Through Elaborate Rallies And Appeared In Countless Newsreels, Swiftly Becoming The Nazi Party's Most Durable Symbol Of Wealth And Power. Had Hitler Not So Thoroughly Dominated The Scene With His Own Megalomania, His Opulent Limousine Could Easily Have Eclipsed Him. Most Of The 770ks Didn't Make It Out Of The Rubble Of World War Ii. But Several Of Them Did. And Two Of Them Found Their Way, Secretly And Separately, To The United States. In The Devil's Mercedes, Author Robert Klara Uncovers The Forgotten Story Of How Americans Responded To These Rolling Relics Of Fascism On Their Soil--provided By Publisher. The Stockholm Deal -- The Screwball Of Winnetka -- The Great Mercedes -- The Göring Special -- The Finnish Connection -- Men With Cars -- Running Off To Canada -- The Big Tent -- Suspicions -- Dutch Wonderland -- Stalemate In Ottawa -- Like Marrying A Movie Star -- The Sleuth -- The Cult Of A Car -- California -- Epilogue. Robert Klara. Includes Bibliographical References (pages [245]-334) And Index. In 1938, Mercedes-Benz began production of the largest, most luxurious limousine in the world. Twenty feet long, upholstered in glove leather, and bullet-proof, the Grosser 770K was a sumptuous monster with a monstrous patron: Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party. Most of the 770Ks didnt make it out of WWII, but several of them did, two finding their way to the United States. In The Devils Mercedes , author Robert Klara uncovers the story of how Americans responded to these relics of fascism on their soil. The limousines made headlines, drew crowds, made fortunes and ruined lives. They also entangled the country in a game of intrigue and mistaken identity. Nobody knew that the limousine touted as Hitlers had in fact never belonged to him, while the Mercedes shrugged off as a staff carone later sold offturned out to be none other than Hitlers personal limo. It would take 40 years, a cast of carnies and millionaires, the U.S. Army, and the research of a librarian to bring the truth to light. This remarkable retelling probes the power of these haunting hulks to attract, excite, and disgust. Ultimately, The Devils Mercedes isnt only the story of a notorious car but what it taught postwar America about itself. 1. THE STOCKHOLM DEAL 2. THE SCREWBALL OF WINNETKA 3. THE GREAT MERCEDES 4. "THE GORING SPECIAL" 5. THE FINNISH CONNECTION 6. MEN WITH CARS 7. RUNNING OFF TO CANADA 8. THE BIG TENT 9. SUSPICIONS 10. DUTCH OWNDERLAND 11. STALEMATE IN OTTAWA 12. LIKE MARRYING A MOVIE STAR 13. THE SLEUTH 14. THE CULT OF A CAR 15. CALIFORNIA EPILOGUE.