Vehicle Description
To be OFFERED AT AUCTION at Auctions America's Auburn Fall event,
August 31-3, 2017.
Chassis No.
12803010003229
Estimate:
$150,000 - $170,000 US
In the post-war period of recovery, Mercedes-Benz concentrated on
re-establishing itself as a leader in the automotive industry.
Their measured and focused approach earned them a reputation for
building solid, reliable automobiles with exacting build quality.
By the late 1950s and with their reputation comfortably intact,
Mercedes-Benz could now focus their efforts on building prestige
cars. Starting in 1954, a series of six-cylinder models supplanted
the four-cylinder range and satisfied buyers' requests for more
power. The new Mercedes-Benz 220 models, internally designated
W128, were a substantial step above the entry-level 180-Series
cars. The new W128 range consisted of the 220 (1954 to 1956), the
219 (1956 to 1959), 220 S (1956 to 1959) and 220 SE (1959 to 1960)
and provided abundant horsepower and torque, packaged in a
moderately sized body. Of those models, only the 220 S (Super) and
220 SE (Super, Einspritzung) were available as the elegant,
range-topping cabriolet.
The 220 SE coupe and cabriolet were luxuriously appointed and
trimmed, offering buyers many of the same amenities associated with
Mercedes-Benz's big, limited-production 300-series cars but in a
smaller, more driver-friendly package. The dash, door caps and
other parts of the interior were covered in gorgeous, handcrafted
woodwork. Seats and interior trim were crafted in superior Roser
surface-dyed leather hides, complemented by the highest-quality
Wilton wool carpets and plenty of gorgeous chrome details. The
pinnacle of the W128 range was the fuel-injected 220 SE Cabriolet,
introduced in 1959 and produced for just a short time frame through
October 1960.
It is a pleasure to feature this ultimate W128 - a 1960 220 SE
Cabriolet. This highly desirable six-cylinder, fuel-injected model
has been treated to an older frame-off restoration and presents in
gorgeous condition. It has seen only light use since completion and
is a highly attractive and fully usable 220 SE Ponton.
Finished in its original color scheme of DB 516 Mittelrot (medium
red) with 953 black leather interior and black German canvas
convertible top; the quality of the paint is excellent, as is the
extensive chrome plating. Fit and finish is excellent, and the
panel fit is precise and consistent, a laborious task that is
difficult to get right on the Ponton Mercedes; evidence this car
was properly restored from the onset.
The cabin of this example features great swathes of black leather
on the seats, door cards, and trim panels. Fully restored woodwork
graces the dash, door caps, and door panels. It has been gorgeously
finished and is certainly a highlight of the elegant interior,
particularly the fantastic curved wood instrument binnacle. Lovely
details abound, such as black leather door-pull straps, finely
chromed details, quality switchgear, and a Becker Grand Prix AM/FM
radio in the dash. A copy of the original data card is included
with the sale.
The original drivetrain features a 130 horsepower, 2,195 cubic
centimeter inline six-cylinder engine that runs strong thanks to
Bosch mechanical fuel injection; the engine bay is very nicely
detailed with correct paint finishes and plating. It shows some
light use on some of the finishes, but otherwise looks very clean
and beautifully presented. Power is fed through a four-speed manual
transmission with a slick and easy to use column-shift.
Just 1,112 of these beautiful 220 SE cabriolets were built, making
them highly collectible for their rarity as well as their superior
quality. This is a car that, in period, was priced at $8,091;
similar to a contemporary Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible,
so it was sure to be a very exclusive automobile. For the period,
this was an astronomical price as a new Rolls-Royce or Ferrari was
only marginally more expensive. With the arrival of the W128,
Mercedes-Benz had succeeded in regaining the prestige it had
enjoyed prior to World War II. One look at this fine matching
numbers example and it is easy to see how they achieved such
success.