Vehicle Description
Motorcar Studio is pleased to offer this 1959 Mercedes-Benz 220S
Cabriolet. This is a nicely restored, very correct and
well-documented example with known ownership history to new and
service records dating back to 1970. Finished in code DB166 "Blue
Gray" over red leather interior, which is, in our opinion, one of
the best color combinations on a W180 Cabriolet.
This 220S was sold new to a Judge in California, where it remained
under the care of two subsequent owners until a move to Florida in
1986, then Georgia in 1998. The present owner acquired this car in
1998 and undertook a full restoration in 1999 (which is documented
with photos and records). It has been garaged at his home on Sea
Island, Georgia, for the last 25 years and approximately 10,000
miles (despite the low annual mileage, it has been driven regularly
but only on Sea Island or adjacent St. Simons).
The restoration included a bare-metal repaint in the original
color, new carpets, leather seat upholstery and door panels,
refinished wood, chrome re-plating, and a complete engine overhaul.
The restoration has held up quite well. The underside and engine
compartment remain in unrestored, original condition; the floors,
rockers, jack points, trunk bottom and body are solid with no known
rust issues owing to a garage-kept life in mild climates.
BF Goodrich wide whitewall radial tires provide a correct
appearance but much better ride and handling characteristics than
bias ply tires. The wood, interior chrome and convertible top
lining are particularly nice in this car, and all gauges, lights,
switches and even the Becker Europa radio are working properly.
Under the hood is a 2.2 liter inline six-cylinder engine mated to a
four-speed column-shift manual transmission. Per the included data
card, both the engine and transmission are the original,
numbers-matching units. The engine, fed by twin carburetors, starts
easily and runs exceptionally smoothly. The shift linkage is in
good condition without excessive play and the clutch and gearbox
feel good with no slippage, chatter or crunchy synchros. This is a
lovely car to drive, and it's completely free of any shakes or
rattles - we were comfortable cruising at highway speeds of 70
mph.
Included with the sale are the spare, jack, partial tools, factory
data card, original owner's books, ownership history to new and
service records to 1970 (including photos and records documenting
the restoration in 1999). Fewer than 4,000 W180 Cabriolets were
produced (by comparison, Mercedes-Benz built around 6,000 W111
Cabriolets, and nearly 50,000 W113 Pagodas); it's increasingly rare
to see one of these in the wild (much less offered for sale with
such a well-documented history).
For more information about this 1959 Mercedes-Benz 220S Cabriolet
for sale at Motorcar Studio in Savannah, please call
912-235-0435.
