1957 Mercedes-Benz 220S

Convertible Coupe
Chassis number: 180007502075

This 1957 Mercedes-Benz 220S Cabriolet was offered for sale at the 2007 RM Auctions held in Amelia Island, Florida where it was estimated to sell between $100,000 - $125,000. The car is equipped with a 2195cc engine that has a 8.7:1 ratio, capable of producing 110 horsepower. There is a four-wheel manual gearbox and four-wheel drum brakes.

The Mercedes-Benz 220S, the 'S' representing Super, Sedan made its debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show. The Sedan was first introduced; it was later followed by a convertible. A hard top was introduced in 1957.

This example is finished in black with a red leather interior. Since new, the car has been repainted and fitted with a new leather interior. It has been treated to a mechanical inspection and service and is in excellent running condition.

At auction the car did find a new owner, though the selling price was under the estimated value. The car sold for $85,000.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible Coupe
Chassis number: 180.030Z.7512620

The Ponton series was introduced in 1953 and is often considered the first truly modern Mercedes-Benz built in the post-war era. The 220 had similar quality workmanship to the 300 Series, yet was much more accessible to the motoring public.

This 220 S Cabriolet came equipped with an ivory steering wheel, front bucket seats, whitewall tires and United States specification. On November 4th of 1957, the car was shipped to Studebaker Packard in South Bend, Indiana - the official United States Mercedes-Benz distribution agent at the time.

In the mid-1990s, the car was given a full restoration. By September of 1996, less than a year after the project got underway, the 220S was finished. Over $125,000 had been spent on the car.

The inside is finished in dark red leather. The exterior is a two-tone scheme of factory colors of Light Ivory and Tartan Red.

In 2011, the car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held in Amelia Island, Florida where it was estimated to sell for $130,000-$160,000. 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

Convertible Coupe
Chassis number: 180030Z.7511749
Engine number: 180.921.N8500380

This Mercedes-Benz 200S Cabriolet was originally finished in a two-tone color scheme of yellow over Brazilian Brown with a brown leather interior. It was equipped with a fluid-coupling Hydrak automatic clutch, a four-speed manual gearbox, 4-wheel Servo-assisted drum brakes, and a 106 horsepower engine.

Retailed through the authorized American sales agent for Mercedes-Benz at the time, Studebaker-Packard Corporation of New York, it was delivered with US-specifications. By the mid-1970s, it had come into the care of Thomas Shields of Los Angeles, California. In 2004, Mr. Shields sold the 220 S to Arthur 'Sandy' Collins of Valencia, California. It was acquired by the current owner in February of 2007. The new owner treated the car to a sympathetic restoration that included overhauling the brakes, cleaning and adjusting the carburetors, refurbishing the instruments and undercoating the wheel wells and frame rails. It was given a new canvas top and stretch-wool headliner, as well as detailing of the engine compartment.

The car is currently finished in a coat of brown paint. It is one of 2,178 open top examples produced over the model's four-year production run.

In 2012, the car was offered for sale at the Amelia Island sale presented by Gooding & Company. It was estimated to sell for $90,000 - $120,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $77,000 inclusive of buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Mercedes-Benz has a long and proud tradition and reputation that was built by years of domination on the raceway, superior build quality, and undeniable beauty. The cars they constructed are legendary and well renowned. Their tradition continued with the 220S and 300 model range. The 220S was offered in saloon, coupe, and convertible configuration. They featured leather seating and exotic materials used throughout. The wood trim was commonly mahogany. Under the bonnet was a 2195 cc alloy straight six-cylinder engine with single overhead camshaft, twin Solex downdraft carburetors and a 7.6:1 compression ratio. The 125 SAE horsepower was sent to the rear wheels through a three-speed column shift automatic gearbox. Braking power was provided by a servo-assisted drums.

The 220S was produced in limited numbers beginning in the mid-1950's and continuing until October of 1959. A total of 3,429 examples were produced with 2178 being convertibles.

by Dan Vaughan