Vehicle Description
1952 Mercedes-Benz 220A Cabriolet #4942
As one of the first post-war Mercedes-Benz models, the 220 was
introduced at the Frankfurt Auto Show in April 1951. The 220
featured the return of the inline 6-cylinder engine, which
displaced 2.2 liters, (hence the 220 nomenclature), and provided an
ample 80 horsepower. Styling was similar to the pre-war 170 though
the headlamps were now fully enclosed by the front fenders. The
modern front end was longer and interior furnishings were more
lavish. The overhead camshaft inline-6 was mated to a column
shifted synchronized 4-speed manual transmission which did provide,
(and still does today), a lively driving experience. Top speed was
nearly 90 miles an hour and it could reach 60 miles per hour in 20
seconds from a full stop. The 220 was offered in two different
cabriolet options, the sporty Cabriolet A and the stylish Cabriolet
B both of which offered comfortable seating for four but the B came
with rear windows. With undeniable style and ample performance, the
220 marked Mercedes-Benz's return to form after World War II by
offering luxury for the whole family while providing the level of
performance that resonates in the spirit of Mercedes-Benz today -
the best or nothing.
For consignment, a real stunner in the form of a 1952 Mercedes Benz
220A which was restored in the early 1980's, sports the 2.2 liter
inline 6 cylinder and has an excellent convertible top to put up
and down. It comes with a slew of receipts, restoration documents,
the owner's manual, and has its fitted Karl Baisch 3 piece custom
crafted luggage in the trunk. This example is in near showroom
concours condition, and runs like a Swiss watch with German Panzer
construction, and Italian styling. Very international, very nice
and only one of 1,278 cars in this A form.
Exterior
Possible appearing a bit snobbish with its "looking down its nose"
bezeled headlights with signals on top and a central large vertical
grille which has more Mercedes and Deutsch commemorative badges
than a highly motivated Eagle Scout. The grille, headlights, turn
signals, driving lights and lower bumper are all pristinely
preserved chromed works of art individually. Handmade fenders flank
a V shaped hood with plenty of side ventilation, and gracefully
make the ascent to cover the wheels and tires, then take a curved
dive downward to form a running board that dies into the rear
fenders. These are also rounded over and beautifully designed with
perfect proportion in mind. Suicide front hinged doors have fancy
actuators and when closed do so with a wonderful tight quality thud
that can be heard in new Mercedes vehicles today, along with well
minded gaps. A black top in perfect canvas is covering the
passengers and a folding working Landau bar is adding some old
world class to the B pillar sides of the top. In back a small glass
trimmed window is allowing the driver to look behind through the
rear view mirror. A very graceful crescent shape takes over for the
rear deck and trunk lid. Here it meets up with the rear quarters,
which emulate the curve and take the dive downward together. Just
next to the tops of the rear quarters are the half bullet shaped
signal lights mounted on either side. At the bottom of the curve
are the tail lighting on either corner of the rear fenders. Just
below is another shiny bumper framing the bottom of the trunk. It
has vertical rabbit ears on it for a safe push if needed. When the
top is in the down position there is no tonneau covering and it has
a unique look to it, retaining the tasteful genre, and not needing
a tonneau. Steel wheels are painted in silver and have encircling
chrome accenting on their edges around the Mercedes star center
caps as well as polished to the hilt trim rings. These are wrapped
in thin red striped 185-15 radial tires all around. No rust, just
silver paint in very good condition with just a slight patina and a
few flaws, but still looking good 40 years after it's redux.
Interior
A swing of the rear hinged doors shows off the beautiful deep
oxblood red leather door coverings. These have top vertical tuck
and roll panels bordered by a delineating chromed trimmed swoop
which separates the tuck and roll from the smooth leather lowers. A
chromed pull, actuator and window crank are all here along with a
small armrest which dies into the backs of the doors. A wonderful
walnut burl wood sill is framing the tops of these doors. Inside
Oxblood leather perfectly stitched into two large bucket seats take
up the interior but give the passengers plenty of room to stretch
out. These seats have wonderfully chromed hinges and push forward
to reveal a nice storage area all carpeted in oxblood red. The
seats offer up room for 4 on this Cabriolet as the rear seats fold
down from the storage compartment. In front, the dash is nothing
short of stunning. Here we have walnut wood rounded burl mixing
with oxblood leather padded vertical panels. These oxblood panels
house the black faced gauges with white lettering, and come in many
shapes, but mostly circular with chromed bezels surrounding them.
In the center in a wood finished square rodded over metal panel, a
round vintage Becker multi-band radio dial is flanked by 4 knobs
for station tuning and volume. The rounded dash top also in walnut
has an ashtray and lighter. On the dash bottom is a lineup of
slider knobs, pulls and the ignition all wrapped in the oxblood
with chrome trim on their edges. For the passenger, a nice chrome
trimmed oxblood leather covered glovebox is installed. The large
factory steering wheel has nice polished trimming and is presented
in black bakelite which is highly polished. Beautiful perfect
red/oxblood carpeting floods the floors and is ultra clean. A shout
to the trunk where we can note the spare tire and jack all correct
for the era is residing. Also a custom set of hand made Karl Baisch
branded luggage to match this car is strapped on shelving on top.
This is a highly sought after option and is very hard to find, let
alone have it installed and all correct. Talk about adding
value!
Drivetrain
Under the slightly V shaped hood is the correct and rebuilt during
the restoration 2.2 Liter SOHC inline 6 cylinder engine. It has a
Solex 30 PAAJ 2-barrel carburetor on top and presents well with
just light patina on some of the black painted components. Bolted
to the back is the requisite 4-speed manual transmission which in
turn sends power rearwar to the 4.44 rear axle. The engine and bay
are near immaculately restored and all looking wonderful.
Undercarriage
Some patina, some road dirt but all structurally sound mechanical
German engineering under here. Tube framing is way overdone, and is
seen throughout the undercarriage. Drum braking is also on all
corners as is independent coil spring suspension. Single exhaust is
in charge of the exhale and remains strong with just a few light
areas of surface rust on the piping.
Drive-Ability
A wonderful piece of Mercedes History and working like a clock. It
starts right up, and runs smoothly and the performance is well
above par for cars of the era. All functions save for the clock
were operating as they should and I was even able to dial in a bit
of short wave radio chatter, a rarity in the valley we call home.
Comfort is key and the seats are wide and wonderful all in that
Oxblood leather.
Plenty of vintage receipts dating back to 1962 for the repairs that
were performed. There is also engine and restoration receipts from
1982-83. The paint still holds its luster, as does the trimmings
and near concours interior. A fine car with b...for more
information please contact the seller.
