This 1913 Mercedes Model 40 was built in New York by the Daimler Motors Corporation (DMC) using a Mercedes chassis and American coachwork. DMC, founded by Gottlieb Daimler, was a German engineering company and later automobile manufacturer that was in operation from 1890 until 1926. DMC, along with Benz and Cie. (cie. is short for kompanie meaning "company" in German), are considered the oldest manufacturers of automobiles in the world. In 1900, DMC and engine designer Wilhelm Maybach built a car for Emil Jellinek that deviated from the carriage design which had prevailed during this time. Jellinek, who was a successful businessman and enthusiastic motorist, triggered the development of a completely new automobile with a light, high-performance engine, long wheelbase, and low center of gravity. Jellinek named the newly developed model Mercedes after his daughter. In 1901, DMC trademarked the name Mercedes and Jellinek began marketing the new vehicle.

By 1905, Mercedes was one of the most successful racecars for DMC. The company’s racing exploits in Europe and America proved to be great marketing tools, and soon the company was exporting passenger and sports vehicles into the U.S. from Germany. Many Mercedes automobiles found their way into the carriage houses of wealthy American families: the Vanderbilts, Andersons, Carnegies, and Astors. With the growing American client base, Mercedes opened an assembly plant in New York in 1909 and had the chassis components and bodies built by American coachbuilders. However, with the onset of World War I and American’s dislike for German products, Mercedes fell out of popularity with U.S. car buyers and closed its New York operation by 1916. Due to the factory’s short period of operation, an American-built Mercedes is rare. This Model 40 was one of the few Mercedes assembled in the New York facility. In 1926, DMC merged with Benz and Cie. to form what is today known as the Mercedes-Benz Group.