1958 Mercedes-Benz 220S

With the Stuttgart factories destroyed during World War II, Mercedes-Benz began its postwar reconstruction with the 170 series sedan constructed in limited quantities. They wore pre-war styling and equipped with a side-valve 1.7-liter four-cylinder engine. The profits were reinvested back into building new facilities, designing new products, and developing new technologies. The result of these efforts was the introduction of a completely new range of luxury six-cylinder sedans and coupes for 1951, known as the 220 and 300, and both were shown at the Frankfurt Show in the spring of that year. Both featured single overhead camshaft engines, with the valves set across the head, rather than in line, and actuated by rockers. The engine powering the 220 was a 1,195cc unit and in standard form produced 80 bhp at 4,600 RPM.

A separate chassis was retained for these models, which were replaced in 1956 by a new range featuring unitary construction bodyshells employing large, box-section side-members - hence the term 'Ponton'. Built using unit-body principles, they were lightweight yet strong and utilized a front subframe for mounting the engine. The sub-frame mounting was particularly important in the production of the so-called 'pontoon' models equipped with a range of engines, from four-cylinder diesels to the fuel-injected gasoline six-cylinder. The all-round coil-sprung independent suspension had long been a traditional setup for the Mercedes-Benz range, and that of the newcomers benefited from the newly developed single-pivot rear swing axle.

Built in 1956, the Mercedes-Benz 220S (or Super) Sedan debuted at the Frankfurt Auto Show and was first offered as a four-door sedan, followed by a convertible shortly thereafter, and a hardtop by 1957. The latter two models became the most sought after and, accordingly, held higher price tags. A shorter wheelbase was adopted for the Cabriolet model that appeared in May 1956 and also for the Coupé introduced the following year.

The six-cylinder engine was in essence the same powering the 219, but with added horsepower. It had an aluminum head, overhead camshaft, and Bosch mechanical fuel injection. The 2,195 cc engine would undergo continuous refinement, increasing compression by 1957 to an 8.7:1 ratio, and around that same time, the Hydrak semi-automatic transmission also became available as an option to buyers who wanted less to do with manually shifting gears. Stopping power was provided by servo-assisted four-wheel drums which had become standard in September of 1955.

The 220S coupe and cabriolet were luxuriously appointed and offered many of the amenities associated with Mercedes-Benz's limited production 300 series. The list included optional fitted luggage, two-tone paint, and reclining seats in addition to interior brightwork and wood veneer trim. Seats and trim were leather, complemented by wool carpets. The rear seats folded down to accommodate additional luggage. The top, unlike earlier Mercedes-Benz cabriolets, was nearly hidden below a soft top boot cover, giving these cabriolets an almost roadster-like smoothness of line when the top was down.

1,280 coupés and cabriolets were produced during the 1958 model year, and the cabriolet, which cost 75% more than the saloon. 3,429 220S coupés and cabriolets had been made when the original was superseded by the restyled 'fin tail' version in 1959. Of those, 2,178 examples were cabriolets built on the unit-body W180 chassis from December of 1957 through September of 1958. The successors on the W128 chassis, built from October 1958 through October 1960, were identical in all respects except for the engine change from carburetors to fuel injection.

The 220 S, perched atop the 220 model range, was a quick car by the standards of the day, as it offered genuine 100-mph capability. It was the last of the 'Ponton' series Mercedes-Benzes and delivered the kind of motoring experience that Mercedes-Benz's demanding clients had come to expect of one of the most storied brands in automotive history.

by Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2021