1953' Mercedes-Benz 220 Cabriolet A

Bonhams are delighted to offer at our forthcoming Collectors' Motor Car Auction on Sunday 10th September at The Chantilly Sale, Château de Chantilly, France, 34 collectors motor cars.

1953 Mercedes-Benz 220 Cabriolet A
Chassis no. 1870121034652

•Delivered new to Austria in Dark Green
•One of a mere 1278 units produced
•EU registered and current German TüV

'The Type 220 Mercedes-Benz is a car of rare quality and an excellent example of the solid, fast family car which the Stuttgart firm know so well how to make: it gives every sign that it can be depended upon to render good service and it is an abiding pleasure to handle.' – The Autocar, 5th February 1954 Introduced at the Frankfurt Auto Show in April 1951, the 220 was in effect a six-cylinder cousin to the 170S on the same 2,845mm wheelbase chassis. The first of this line – the four-cylinder, 1.7-litre
170V – had been introduced back in 1936 and formed the mainstay of Mercedes-Benz production in the immediate post-war years. Running gear was state-of-the-art at the time, comprising an oval-tube backbone-type chassis, swing-axle independent rear suspension, transverse-leaf ifs and hydraulic brakes. Introduced in May 1949, the outwardly similar 170S came with a 1,767cc engine equipped with an aluminium-alloy cylinder head. The suspension too had undergone considerable development, a thoroughly modern double wishbone/coil spring design being adopted at the front, while at the rear the track was widened and telescopic shock absorbers fitted.

The Motor found that the new Mercedes-Benz, 'offered an almost unique sensation in coupling genuine soft suspension and comfortable ride over rough roads with light precise steering, freedom from roll and an ability to traverse an accurate
Although closely based on the 170S, the 220 featured more modern styling with headlamps integrated into the wings. With 80bhp on tap courtesy of its 2.2-litre overhead-camshaft engine, the 220 saloon was good for a top speed of around 140km/h (87mph) - as was the Cabriolet B - with 145km/h (90mph) attainable by the drophead coupé styled Cabriolet A. In the best Mercedes-Benz tradition, both of these convertible models were exceptionally well equipped. The combined total of Cabriolet A and B production amounted to only 2,360 in five years and today these models are both rare and highly sought after.

First registered on 9th September 1953, this Mercedes-Benz 220 Cabriolet A, one of only 1,278 examples built, was delivered new in Austria with dark green paintwork (DB code 221), green-grey interior and green-grey softtop. The car is presented today still in highly riginal condition, attractively finished in green with beige leather interior. This most stylish Mercedes-Benz is offered with German registration papers, sundry invoices, DEKRA document, and TüV.

Please note that this motor car will be subject to the TVA at the prevailing local rate on Hammer Price and Buyer's Premium.