Hanns Trippel

Hans Trippel was an automotive designer who was the brainchild behind the Mercedes-Benz 300SL's gullwing doors, Troll and the Amphicar.

Trippel was born on 19th July 1908 in the Darmstadt area and died 30th July 2001, possibly in Berlin. In 1934 he embarked upon a career as a racing driver. In retrospect he is better remembered for an active obsession with the development of amphibious motor vehicles. Also noteworthy is his membership of the quasi-military SA. As an active supporter of the German regime in 1940 when France was invaded by Germany, Trippel took over control of the Bugatti plant at Molsheim. Following Germany's defeat in 1945, he was interred as a prisoner of war by the French authorities until 1949.