Can anyone identify which model of Mercedes this is?

[chelsea98]

It’s the car on the far right hand side of the image. The car was given by Kaiser Wilhelm 2, to the earl of Lonsdale.

I’m trying to find out what happened to the car and more importantly, how the car was kitted out when it was gifted to the Yellow Earl, as he was known (chairman of the AA).

I know it’s a long shot, but I’m researching two exceptionally rare picnic sets which could well have adorned this car and came with it.

As I type this, a very kind lady at Lowther Castle, where the image above was taken, has told me a lot of the cars are in a collection in Belgium and that “Victoria” was sold in 2015 to a “tall celeb”

Fascinating that when the Kaiser gave him the car, he also gifted a chauffeur to the Earl, called “Keiser” who later started a garage in Penrith.

[chelsea98]

Here’s one of his rolls royces called Victoria that was sold in 2015.

[chelsea9899]

Here is a better image of the Mercedes. Can anyone tell me if this model would have accommodated a Motoring Luncheon (picnic) set?

[friederich]

Looks like a Napier, not Mercedes.
The forward position of the radiator, and the raised radiator cap are all typical Napier, probably 60hp.

Not sure where that leaves you with the Kaiser Willhelm angle - can't imagine him gifting a Napier....

[chelsea9899]

Hi Friederich,

Many thanks for your reply. Looking at the first and third image I've posted, they do look like the same car and it's stated in the text of the first image that he's standing next to the Mercedes.

I'll certainly look in to Napier's but you're right, the napier would have nothing to do with the Kaiser at all. He definitely gave a Mercedes to the Earl.

Thanks again!

[friederich]

A quick google for 'Lord Lonsdale Napier' gave this link:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lord_Lonsd...

A very similar image to yours, pretty sure it's a Napier at the front.

[eldar]

friederich said:

A quick google for 'Lord Lonsdale Napier' gave this link:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lord_Lonsd...

A very similar image to yours, pretty sure it's a Napier at the front.

I think you are right. A very similar picture also dated 1910 identifies it as a Mercedes, but others as a Napier.

There is a 1907 pic of the earl and his Mercedes, a very different looking car.

[chelsea98]

Aah. Interesting. Could you link to the image of the Mercedes at all?

Many thanks.

[Scrump]

If you google “Lord Lonsdale Mercedes” there a few different images of the same car. Here is one of them:


Not sure if this is the car you are researching.

[chelsea98]

Hi,

Many thanks. You must think me lazy and I suppose I was a bit.

I don’t know if this is the kaisers gift Mercedes but what stands out straight away is the box under the running board which would appear to be a perfect fit for the picnic trunk I have, which is why I’m researching it.

Another lead!

Thanks again.

[Scrump]

I can’t say for sure on this car but I think that those boxes were usually a tool box.

[chelsea98]

Usually? I didn’t know that. But I thinks it’s possible it could have been for something else. I’ve seen motoring trunks for croquet sets so it’s possible.

Further research!

[eldar]

chelsea98 said:

Hi,

Many thanks. You must think me lazy and I suppose I was a bit.

I don’t know if this is the kaisers gift Mercedes but what stands out straight away is the box under the running board which would appear to be a perfect fit for the picnic trunk I have, which is why I’m researching it.

Another lead!

Thanks again.

Is it a generic or bespoke set. The bespoke ones were usually leather rather than than wicker. There should be labelling on the case and contents.

Interesting subject.