Vehicle Description
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 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), 220S (1956 to 1959) and 220SE (1959 to 1960) and provided
abundant horsepower and torque, packaged in a moderately sized
body. Of those models, only the 220S (Super) and 220SE (Super,
Einspritzung) were available as the elegant, range-topping
cabriolet. The 220SE 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 gorgeous, hand crafted
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 220SE Cabriolet,
introduced in 1959 and produced for just a short time frame through
October 1960. We proudly feature this ultimate W128 - a 1960 220SE
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 220SE 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, fine chrome 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 matching number 2,195cc inline
six puts out 130 horsepower thanks to Bosch mechanical fuel
injection and 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 220SE
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 WWII.
One look at this fine matching numbers example and it is easy to
see how they achieved such success.