Vehicle Description
Renowned as one of the finest prewar automotive marques,
Mercedes-Benz built upon Germany's postwar reconstruction with a
succession of new models and a return to racing dominance during
the 1950s. With almost unrivalled engineering prowess, purposeful
luxury, and timeless styling, the soon-to-be iconic 300-series
models were introduced alongside the W187 220 Series at the 1951
IAA Show in Frankfurt. Featuring beautifully proportioned body
styling, the 220 was produced in limited numbers to exceptional
quality standards and remains yet another key component of
Mercedes' enduring legacy today. So much so, that the 220 has lent
itself extremely well to the "Art Car" touch made famous by the
psychedelic VW Buses of "hippie" fame and Janis Joplin's Porsche
356 Cabriolet, with its body hand painted into an unforgettable
happening on four wheels that captivated residents of her adopted
San Francisco hometown in the late 1960s. One of the best-known
modern reinterpretations of the Art Car tradition was executed on a
grand scale by Los Angeles-based silkscreen artist Hiro Yamagata,
who has applied his artistry to more than 20 examples of the
Mercedes-Benz 220A Cabriolet A since the early 1990s. Featuring
impeccable styling cues and Mercedes' excellence, the 220A was a
natural choice as canvas for Yamagata's artistry, given its rarity
with just 1,287 produced in all, plus Joplin's lyrical reference to
her lust for a God-given Mercedes-Benz, from the song by the same
name on her posthumously released final album, "Pearl." Sourced
worldwide, each of Yamagata's Mercedes-Benz 220A Cabriolet A Art
Cars started as fully and expertly restored examples featuring
properly finished bodywork, correct upholstery, and accurate
interior appointments including rich wooden accents and even radio
hardware. While restored to be worthy of the concours lawn,
Yamagata's cars served wonderfully as blank canvases for his
artistic vision for this monumental art project, with bodies
finished in White matte acrylic paint, with surfaces roughened,
providing a primer coat for Yamagata's hand-painted artwork. Each
car of the series features a unique motif. According to art critic
Sam Hunter, Yamagata's artwork "...reversed the symbol of the car
as an industrial, automated machine and brought it into harmony
with nature." Collectively known as the Earthly Paradise series,
Yamagata's reimagined Mercedes-Benz 220A Cabriolet A designs
featured images of bright, beautifully plumed birds, colorful
flowers, and other nature-inspired scenes to create an exotic
tableau on each car, evoking vivid images of lush jungles teeming
with life and warm, exotic tropical nights. Predictably, Yamagata's
Earthly Paradise cars have enjoyed high-profile display at
international venues, including the Los Angeles Municipal Art
Gallery, the 46th Venice Biennale in 1995. Of further note, many of
Yamagata's exhibitions were held in conjunction with America's
famous Beat Generation poet Allen Ginsberg, who wrote books with
Yamagata complementing the presentations of the Earthly Paradise
series. Named "Butterflies and Roses," this captivating 1952
Mercedes-Benz 220A Cabriolet delivers a wonderfully kaleidoscopic
and lively visual experience, featuring a completely hand-painted
acrylic finish with colorful, large-scale butterflies seemingly
ready to take flight at any moment. Following completion by
Yamagata, this specific Earthly Paradise car was exhibited at
Vienna, Austria's Museum of Applied Arts. The prior owner of
"Butterflies and Roses" acquired the vehicle in 2016 and it was
enjoyed by them solely as a unique artwork on static display.
Recent work has been completed to ensure it can be returned to
running and driving condition; however, a mechanical
recommissioning is required for any contemplated road use.
Nonetheless, "Butterflies and Roses" stands foremost an important
and integral part of Yamagata's singular vision to fuse the
mechanical and natural worlds. Items included with this stunning
vehicle are a correct roadside jack and wheel tools, plus a
complete set of highly desirable fitted luggage. A truly amazing
artwork, based on one of the finest postwar Mercedes-Benz models,
this 1952 Mercedes-Benz 220A Cabriolet A is a compelling and unique
collector find on all counts. Offers welcome and trades considered
For additional details please view this listing directly on our
website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7369-1952-mercedes-benz-220-a-cabriolet/