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1960 Mercedes-Benz 220 Series

Mercedes-Benz concentrated its efforts in the immediate pre-WWII era in re-establishing its reputation for building solid and reliable automobiles with exacting build quality. Accomplishing this goal, they turned their attention on building prestige cars, beginning with a series of six-cylinder models that answered the buyer's request for more power than the previous four-cylinder line offered. Internally designated W128, the new Mercedes-Benz 220 models were a substantial development above the entry-level 180-Series cars. Production of the W128 range consisted of the 220 models, built from 1954 to 1956, the 219 models of 1956 to 1959, the 220 S of 1956 to 1959, and the 220 SE of 1959 to 1960.

A number of Mercedes-Benz models were described as 'Ponton', a term that is commonly thought to be post-war, however, it's a colloquial description of some early Bugatti models, particularly the Type 32. Its popularity was taken to new heights when it came into daily usage describing a number of Mercedes-Benz models produced from the mid-fifties to the early 1960s. The Mercedes-Benz 220 Series used unitary construction body shells with large, box-section side-members with the front suspension subframe constructed in a similar fashion to a pontoon or bridge which spanned the engine bay, leading to the term 'Ponton.' The one-piece chassis and body were designed for safety in collisions through collapsible components. This setup replaced the previous body-on-chassis structure of 1953. The new body styles were crisp and clean with a single styling line that began at the headlamps and traversed the front fender across the door panel and terminating at the taillight at the end of the rear fender.

Three body styles were built on the W128 220 Series chassis including a coupe, sedan, and cabriolet. Unlike earlier Mercedes-Benz cabriolets, when the top was lowered it was nearly completely hidden below a soft top boot cover resulting in an almost roadster-like smoothness of line.

In September of 1955, Mercedes-Benz introduced the 220S Cabriolet with the production versions rolling off the assembly in July the following year. In 1958, the 220 range expanded with a fuel-injected version of the 2.2-liter overhead-camshaft six, becoming the 220SE. Horsepower rose from 106 bhp to 115 bhp and although the top speed of approximately 100 mph remained unchanged, the zero-to-sixty mph improved by two seconds. In 1959, Mercedes introduced the 220SE Cabriolet with a 2,195cc engine with Bosch mechanical fuel injection helping to deliver 134 horsepower. These M127 gasoline-injected units were known as Einspritzmotor in German, and the 'E' in 'SE.' The setup used an early form of a mechanical pump-driven system by Bosch that brought fuel into the six cylinders.

By the time production ceased in November of 1960, 1,942 fuel-injected examples of the 220 SE Coupe and convertible models had been manufactured (1,112 were 220SE Cabriolets). Only the 220S (meaning Super) and 220SE (Super, Fuel Injected) were available in the top-of-the-line cabriolet models.

The 220SE Cabriolet had a base price of $8,100 when new, which was similar in cost to Cadillac's Eldorado Biarritz Convertible.

The 220 Series were luxuriously appointed and equipped with many of the amenities associated with Mercedes-Benz's limited production 300 series. The list included optional fitted luggage, wood veneer trim, and interior brightwork, two-tone paint, and reclining seats. The seats and trim were leather, and the carpeting was wool.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible
Chassis number: 128.030.10.003512
Engine number: 127.983.10.000909

The Mercedes-Benz 220SE was introduced in 1958 and available as a coupe, sedan and cabriolet bodystyles. Production would continue until 1960 with 1974 examples created. 1,112 of those were cabriolets. The 'SE' was powered by a 2.2-liter engine and fitted with a Bosch fuel-injection system offering 134 horsepower. The 220SE Cabriolets sold for a staggering $9,000, making it one of the most expensive cars of their era. These cars were well equipped with polished wooden dashboards and door cappings, leather upholstery, and chrome trim.

Convertible
Chassis number: 12803010003645

The Mercedes-Benz 220 models, internally designated W128, entered production in 1954. There were a number of six-cylinder variants available through the years, including the 220 (1954 to 1956), the 219 (1956 to 1959), 220S (1956 to 1959) and the 220SE (1959 to 1960). Only the 220S and the 220SE engines were available in the top-line cabriolets.

The 220SE, (representing Super, Fuel Injected) were luxuriously appointed and well-trimmed. They were fitted with many amenities associated with Mercedes-Benz's limited-production 300 series. Many parts of the car, including the dash and door finish, were hand-built and covered in wood veneers of burled grain. The seats and trim were clothed in Roser surfaced-dyed leather, complemented by Wilton wool carpets.

The 220SE Cabriolet was introduced in 1959 and produced through October of 1960. The engine displaced 2,195cc and offered 135 horsepower. Mercedes-Benz produced just 1,112 examples of the 220SE Cabriolet. They had a four-speed synchronized transmission, independent suspension and long wheelbase.

This 220SE Cabriolet has been used sparingly and remains in show-quality condition. There is a stainless-steel exhaust system, a Becker Mexico radio, a convertible top, and period-style wide whitewall tires.

In 2010, the car was offered for sale at the Sports & Classics of Monterey presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $150,000 - $200,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $143,000 inclusive of buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: 128030 10 9502076
Engine number: 12961

In 1956, Mercedes-Benz introduced the 220S saloon. It was one of a trio of new model that featured unitary construction bodyshells with large, box-section side-members (thus the term 'Pontoon') with the other models being the 190 and 219. At all four corners were coil-sprung independent suspension setup and newly developed single-pivot rear swing axle. Short-wheelbase coupe and cabriolet versions of the 220S soon followed.

The 220 range was updated in 1958 with a fuel-injected version of the 2.2-liter overhead-camshaft six, evolving into the 220SE. Power increased from 106 to 115 bhp. When production ceased in November of 1960, fewer than 2,000 220SE Coupe and Cabriolet model had been produced.

This 220 SE Convertible is an original California black plate car and was delivered new to Los Angeles Mercedes dealers R.G. Lewis & Co. Inc. of Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. The original purchase price was $8,668 which included it fuel-injection motor, a Becker Mexico radio, white wall tires, and two reclining seats with one having a head rest. The buyer was a doctor who kept the car for most of its life. In recent years, the car has been treated to a cosmetic refurbishment which included a bare metal re-spray to its original color of Silver Gray Metallic, refurbishment of the trim pieces, re-plating of the brightwork, all rubbers replaced, and the wood trim cappings re-finished. The mechanical components were exampled and overhauled when necessary.

In 2011, this vehicle was offered for sale at the Quail Lodge auction presented by Bonhams. It was estimated to sell for $190,000 - $220,000 but its reserve was not met and the car would leave the auction unsold.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible
Chassis number: 128.030.10.003817
Engine number: 127.983.10.001158

The 220 SE Coupe and Cabriolet were introduced in 1958 and 1959 respectively. Produced through October of 1960, they had clean styling, restrained bright trim, and hand-built interiors. In total, 1,942 examples were built including 1,112 cabriolets. When new, they carried a price of $8,091 for the 220 SE Cabriolet. They had a mechanical fuel injection system, a four-speed gearbox, and fully independent suspension.

This particular 220 SE Cabriolet is a one-owner example with a known history from new. It was purchased new in Copenhagen, Denmark, by a law-school graduate from Oregon, who drove it on a 14-month pan-European adventure and imported the car to the US in the early 1960s. During the later 1960s, the car was repainted in British Racing Green, replacing the original light blue color.

The car was placed into storage in 1971 and has not been run since. It remained in the garage of the family home in Bend, Oregon, and after that home was sold and the owner moved out of state in the mid-1990s, the car was transferred to a storage unit.

The car has just over 54,000 miles. The car lacks its two front fender-mounted turn-signal lenses, the Mercedes-Benz emblem atop the radiator shell, and the driver's side mirror. The windshield is cracked and the engine may be seized. The interior is complete with leather upholstery that is still intact with only limited wear. The burl wood interior trim is intact; the trunk retains a jack, spare wheel, and factory tool kit, plus all four of the car's hubcaps.

Power is from an overhead valve six-cylinder engine displacing 2195cc and offering 134 horsepower. There is a Bosch Mechanical fuel injection, 4-speed manual gearbox, and four-wheel Servo-Assisted hydraulic drum brakes.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible
Chassis number: 128.030.11.003204
Engine number: 127.983.000143

The Mercedes-Benz 200 Series is commonly known as the 'Ponton' model for the shape of its front suspension subframe. Production of the 220 S Sedan began in March of 1956, which was followed by a limited number of coupe and cabriolet derivatives. Resting on a 106.3-inch wheelbase, the cabriolet had a heavily reinforced floor pan to compensate for the loss of the fixed steel roof of the sedan and coupe. The unitized body was constructed from steel, with certain parts made from aluminum to help reduce overall weight.

Inside, the cars were finished to the same high standard as the top-of-the-line 300 Series, with leather, premium, carpeting, polished burl wood trim, and chrome fixtures.

A Bosch mechanical fuel injection system replaced the twin carburetors in 1959, creating the SE.

This Mercedes-Benz 220 SE Cabriolet is one of only 1,112 constructed between July 1958 and November of 1960. In 2007, a previous owner had it refinished in a shade of cream along with a fresh red leather interior and a matching leather boot for its canvas folding top.

This Mercedes-Benz 220 SE features a Becker Mexico radio, a clock, a full set of color-coded wheel covers, fog lights, and new bias-ply whitewall tires. It has a four-speed manual transmission with column shift, and a 2.2-liter six-cylinder engine. The odometer currently shows just over 50,000 miles.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible
Chassis number: 128.030.10.002429
Engine number: 127.980.9500588

Production of the Mercedes-Benz 220 Series was done in limited numbers through October 1960. Just 1,942 examples of the Mercedes-Benz 220 SE Ponton-style coupes and cabriolets were built (1,112 were cabriolets). With a price tag of $8,091 - which was nearly double the cost of some 1960 Cadillacs - exclusivity was ensured.

This particular 1960 Mercedes-Benz 220 SE Cabriolet was acquired in 2011 by the current owner from Bruce Weber. It has been thoroughly restored in Europe to original Mercedes-Benz specifications. The work included a rebuild of the 134 horsepower, inline six-cylinder engine, and its Bosch fuel injection using Mercedes-Benz parts exclusivity. The car rides on new tires, with 480 km having been acquired on the odometer during the sorting process.

The car is in as-new condition. It is finished with Standox paint to give it a lustrous period-correct dark blue shade. There is a black convertible top, red leather upholstery, a period Becker radio, and Wilton wool carpeting.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible
Chassis number: 128.030.11.003366
Engine number: 127.963.11.000171

This Mercedes-Benz 220 SE Cabriolet is one of less than one thousand two hundred examples built for the 1959 and 1960 model years. In 1962, it was sold new to a Toronto businessman who enjoyed the car until about 2007. The car is in original condition, having its original red leather interior, a black soft-top Haartz cloth, a jack stand, spare tire, and correct Blaupunkt radio.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: A12803711002906

At the 1959 Frankfurt Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz introduced its new 220 Series. Mercedes-Benz had a wide array of gasoline- and diesel-powered drivetrains, but many had criticized them for having somewhat outdated styling. With the introduction of the 220 Series, these critics were silenced by the modern and elegant 220 Series. Drawing inspiration from the company's history, it had a traditional upright Mercedes-Benz grille with vertically arranged headlights located on either side. It had V-shaped quarters, vestigial rear fins, and vertical tail lights. All 220 Models had unibody coachwork and an all-independent suspension setup.

This particular example is a 220SE Coupe that was once part of the Kemp Collection of Chesterfield, Missouri. It is one of 830 examples produced. It has tan leather upholstery, deep-pile carpeting and burled wood trim. There are reclining front seats, Becker Europa Stereo, an Ivory steering wheel and sunroof.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe

1960 was the last year of the iconic 'ponton' body style that went back to 1953. The ponton had done a fine job bridging the gap between World War II and the start of the Swinging Sixties and then the radical switch to 'fin' body. The 220SE W128 was a luxury 6-cylinder available as a 4-door sedan and two 2-doors, a coupe and cabriolet. The coupe was manufactured between July 1958 and November 1960 with only 830 examples leaving the production line. The engine was the tough and smooth M127 2195cc OHC unit with an aluminum head and Bosch mechanical fuel injection; the transmission choice was an automatic clutch with four-on-the-tree, only.

This 220SE Coupe is rarer than the cabriolet.

Convertible
Chassis number: 128.030.10.003228
Engine number: 127.983.10.000673

Mercedes-Benz updated the 220 S model in September of 1958 with a fuel-injected engine, resulting in the 220 SE. Bodystyles included a cabriolet, coupe, and sedan. This particular 220 SE is a restored cabriolet and one of 1,112 examples built. It was originally equipped with a fold-down rear seat and instruments in miles. It left the factory finished in black paint over an interior of cream white leather. During the 1990s, the car was in the care of Bill Clippinger of Los Angeles, who may have been responsible for the transmission's unusual modification to a floor-shifter.

In September of 2011 it was acquired by Frank Darabont who used it sparingly and serviced it as needed. The car currently features a period-correct color scheme of burgundy paint over a tan leather interior with a matching soft top, and is accompanied by a Becker Mexico radio. The engine is a 2,195cc SOHC inline 6-cylinder engine fitted with Bosch Mechanical fuel injection. The engine offers 134 horsepower which is mated to a 4-speed manual gearbox and sends power to the rear wheels. At all four corners are Vacuum-Assisted drum brakes.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible
Chassis number: 128030 10 003042
Engine number: 127.983.000444

The 220SE was produced for only a short period of time with only 1,112 cabriolets built. The 2.2-liter engine was fitted with Bosch fuel-injection and produced 134 BHP. Even more impressive was their price tag, which was a staggering $9,000 making it one of the most expensive cars of their era.

This 220 SE cabriolet is finished in the factory original color of DB229 green with chocolate-brown leather and burled maple wood. A restoration was completed near the close of the 1990s and is one of the finest Ponton 220Ses in existence.

In 2008, this 220SE was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held in Pebble Beach, California. It was estimated to sell for $200,000 - $300,000. The lot was sold for $198,000 including buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible
Chassis number: 128.030.10.03194

The fuel-injected 220 SE Mercedes-Benz was introduced in September of 1958 and, starting in October 1959, was offered as a coupe and cabriolet, priced from $8,091. These were hand-built automobiles at Sindelfingen to impeccable standards with leather upholstery and hand-rubbed wood grain accents. A total of 1,112 cabriolets and 830 coupes were built.

This particular 220 SE Cabriolet was in long-term collector ownership. It received a complete restoration that earned it First Place awards at several California concours venues, including Le Cercle, Santa Barbara, and San Diego, plus Best of Show at the Arizona Governor's Cup Rally – all during 1991.

This 220 SE Cabrio is finished in maroon paint and has a beige canvas top, and matching leather upholstery with maroon piping. The 2,195cc SOHC inline 6-cylinder engine has Bosch mechanical fuel injection system helping to develop 130 horsepower at 4,800 RPM. There is a four-speed synchromesh manual gearbox and hydraulic drum brakes. Inside are a dash-mounted clock and radio.

Since the restoration, this vehicle has been driven a mere 110 miles.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible

The Mercedes-Benz 220 was only produced for three years from 1958 through 1960 and 1,113 were produced. This particular car has had only three owners in 61 years and as of November 2020, is in the care of its current owner. This car was restored and last housed in a private museum for 20 years on the East Coast. Owner number 1 cared for it for six years, owner number two for 34 years, and 20 years in the 3rd owner's care. Being a low mileage original car, Owner number 3 partially restored the car in 2005. It was then placed on display in a private Indianapolis Indiana Museum for fifteen years.

Upon purchase by its current caretaker, the car was sent to San Jose Ca Mercedes-Benz restoration specialist Jurgen Klockemann. The Mercedes then underwent finishing the restoration of the exterior, interior, engine bay, under-car components including all mechanicals being re-restored and brought up to perfect working condition with period-correct handmade leather custom-fitted luggage installed in the trunk.

This Mercedes-Benz restoration is now completed for dependable roadworthy use and Concours d'Elegance presentation.

The Mercedes-Benz 220SE was introduced in 1958 and remained in production until 1959 with a total of 1974 examples being produced. 1112 of those were cabriolets. The 'SE' was considered an upgraded version of the 220 and offered in coupe, sedan and cabriolet body styles.

The 220SE were built with high attention to detail, almost mimicking the 330SC. They came equipped with polished wooden dashboards and door cappings, leather upholstery, and chrome trim. Under the hood was a 2.2-liter engine that produced nearly 135 horsepower and could carry the 220SE to speeds of 100 mph. The use of Bosch fuel-injection meant the increase in power while a reduction in fuel consumption.

A cabriolet, also known as a 'Ponton Series', cost just under $9,000 when new. These were among the first of the postwar, modern, Mercedes-Benz designs. Their styling retained the traditional Mercedes-Benz touches while adapting a modern style that appealed to a wider generation.

by Dan Vaughan