1959 Mercedes-Benz 220S 'Ponton' Cabriolet

Description

During the latter half of the 1950s, Mercedes-Benz offered a myriad of Ponton derivatives, ranging from trusty diesel-powered cars used by taxi drivers through to upmarket six-cylinder models driven by wealthy executives. The most luxurious version of all was announced at the 1955 Frankfurt Show, with the unitary construction 220S saloon adapted into a two-door cabriolet by Sindelfingen, Mercedes-Benz's coach building arm. The 220S coupe and cabriolet models were incredibly expensive, costing almost 75% more than the equivalent four-door saloon, with the exclusive hand-crafted nature of their construction accounting for much of the price hike. Each panel was individually hand-fitted to the car and the general styling, although similar to the saloon, was actually quite different in almost every panel, along with details like the wraparound windscreen. The folding top of the cabriolet was a typically thorough Germanic piece of design, beautifully constructed and finished, while there was a choice of either a folding rear seat (for extra luggage space) or proper rear seats on the open model. The 220S employed the well-proven M180 six-cylinder engine, displacing 2195cc and developing 106 bhp at 5200 rpm thanks to twin Solex 32 PAJTA carburettors. Most were equipped with a four-speed all-synchromesh gearbox although a Hydrak automatic clutch was optional and the four-wheel drum brakes came with servo-assist. Always made in limited numbers, the 220S coupe and cabriolet remained in production from 1956 until 1959 and just 3,429 were made, of which only a handful were originally specified with right-hand drive.