1952 Mercedes-Benz 220b Cabriolet

1952 Mercedes-Benz 220B

The Mercedes-Benz model 220, or W187, was produced by Mercedes-Benz from 1951 to 1955 and was first introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in April 1951 as a six-cylinder luxury car, it was sold in sedan, coupe, and cabriolet body styles. Despite their tradition as a manufacturer of luxury cars, after the end of the war Mercedes-Benz produced only four cylinder engined passenger cars until 1951. The Mercedes-Benz 220 and the more powerful Mercedes-Benz 300, introduced at the same time, were the first post-war Mercedes-Benz models to feature six cylinder engines. Over six decades several very different models have been branded as a "Mercedes-Benz 220" which is why the 1951 model is identified using its internal works number as the Mercedes-Benz W187.

The styling of the W187 model 220 was similar to that of the Mercedes-Benz 170S except that the 170's freestanding headlights were for the 220 integrated into the fenders for a slightly more modern look. Two different cabriolet model W187s were built, conceived as exclusive sporting cars of exclusive character, but these only sold 1,278 two seater A bodies and 997 four passenger B bodies as compared to over 16,000 of the hard top sedans.

All 220s used newly developed Type M 180 six cylinder 2195cc engine producing 80hp DIN (86 SAE) (59kW). In contrast with the rather old fashioned look of the car's body, the new engines attracted much attention in the motoring press, being the first new engine presented by Mercedes-Benz in more than ten years. The valves were operated by short rocker arms from an overhead camshaft. The engine was unusual in Europe at this time in having oversquare cylinder dimensions with a bore of 80.0mm and a stroke of only 72.8mm, which facilitated the design of an efficient cylinder head. The manufacturer was able to claim a top speed of 140 km/h (87 mph) for the saloons and 145 km/h (90 mph) for the cabriolets which was usefully faster than the 52 PS (38 kW) powered 170S Cabriolet which the cabriolet version of the W187 replaced and from which its bodywork was derived. The new six cylinder engine would form the basis, repeatedly enlarged and upgraded as the years went on, for a long line of six cylinder engines powering mainstream Mercedes-Benz models including the six cylinder version of the early S-Class models in the 1970s.

Because of the extra power in what was, by modern standards, a heavy car, the W187 was equipped with Duplex drum brakes.

With the sedan/saloon bodied cars about to be delisted by the manufacturer in May 1954, in April 1954 the "Cabriolet A" and its Coupé derivative were fitted with a new higher compression 85 PS (63kW) engine that had been developed for the soon to be announced Ponton bodied Mercedes-Benz W180. These faster sporting versions of the W187 continued in production for a further year. The 220 sedan was replaced by the W105/W180 line in 1953. The coupé and cabriolet continued until August 1955.

This particular 220B had a comprehensive complete nut, bolt and full mechanical restoration completed in 1992 by a well know Phoenix restoration specialist. It is in perfect, number 1, condition inside and out. Needs nothing to show at the worlds most prestigious events or local car club shows.