1959 Mercedes Benz 220S Sedan


Details

Following the outbreak of the first Word War in 1914, Europe’s car industry was decimated. In Germany both Daimler and Benz went back to producing cars post-war, however, times were tough. A merger between Daimler and Benz would ensure that both companies survived and following a technical co-operation agreement in 1924, the companies formally merged on the 1st July 1926. Mercedes Benz was born!

Subsequently, Mercedes Benz went on to build some of the greatest cars of all time. The cars from Stuttgart bearing the three-pointed star all had one thing in common . . . they were renowned for their technical innovation, build quality, luxury and performance.

In 1951 Mercedes Benz introduced the Type W187 220 Series cars, which was the first model to be powered by a six cylinder engine post World War II. This model was a great success and built in relatively big numbers. It was succeeded by the Type W180 series car in 1954, which like its predecessor was available as a sedan, coupe and convertible.

In the 1950’s Mercedes Benz produced one of the greatest cars of all time – the iconic 300SL Gullwing and 300SL Roadster. Whilst fabulous sporting cars, they were very expensive and generally sold to the rich and famous. The Type W186 and Type W189 300 series four door luxury tourers were built alongside the Type W198 300SL Gullwing and Roadster and they were indeed fabulous cars in their own right, though still very expensive. Mercedes Benz wanted to build full sized luxury cars that were ‘more affordable’ than the Type W186 and Type W189 300 series cars, so the Type W187 and later the Type W180 220 Series cars filled that void nicely.

Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale a 1959 Mercedes Benz 220S (Type W180) Sedan. This six cylinder ‘ponton’ is an Australian delivered, factory right-hand drive example that is in wonderful original condition. The car has a manual, column shift transmission.

According to the Service Book, the car was delivered on the 12th February 1959 to its first owner, noted as the National Valve and Engineering Co Pty Ltd of Manton Rd Huntingdale in Victoria, Australia. The car was sold by Brighton Beach Motors Pty Ltd, 26-38 Esplanade, Brighton Beach and it was first registered as HCW 585.

The car’s service book has a number of early entries, all at 1,000 mile intervals, through until October 1961 when the 13,000 mile service was carried out at 13,040 miles. Unfortunately, its subsequent early history is not known until it was acquired by businessman in Tasmania who owned the car for thirty plus years before selling it in late 2012. The car is understood to have been repainted in its original colour sometime early in his ownership. The car remained in Tasmania and its new owner lived near Hobart. The current owner acquired the car form him in January 2016 as a very original, well presented and driving car. He embarked on a mission to improve the car and had a new clutch fitted, new engine mounts fitted, work done to the brakes, suspension and steering as well as other miscellaneous mechanical and electrical work. At this time the bumpers were rechromed and new hubcaps fitted. In total $15,000 was spent on this car.

As a result, this is a reliable car that performs really well on the road. The car has been stored in Toowoomba and it was recently driven 150km down to Brisbane and it performed faultlessly.

This car has had an older repaint, however, today the paint still presents well. There are minor blemishes evident and there is some crazing on the roof. All of the exterior trim, chrome, lenses and glass are in good condition though some of the glass rubbers are hard and starting to show their age. Inside the car looks to be totally original and incredibly well preserved for an almost sixty year old car . . . it really is fabulous!  All of the upholstery is in very good condition with no rips or tears. The steering wheel, instruments and controls also present really well. Importantly, the instruments and gauges all look to be in working order and the timber is in good condition, which just sets off the interior nicely. The engine bay is totally original, but very clean. The boot looks to have been repainted at some stage and is also very clean. There is a spare wheel and jack in the correct place. Everything looks to be structurally excellent on the car.

This car starts very easily and the engine is incredibly smooth, even when cold. This lovely old Benz has a four speed column shift transmission, so up and to you for first, which engages easily and you’re away. The car just goes about its business in a very workman like manner. The ride is quite unbelievable for an almost sixty year old car . . . it just floats along the road without any fuss. You turn the steering wheel and the car just follows in the direction you want it to go, apply the brakes and the car pulls up in a very considered manner.

This late model 220S with the six cylinder engine and twin carburettors is one of the most desirable of the Mercedes Benz ‘pontons’. This car is in fabulous original condition and is a real find. It presents as a great entry level classic car or one for the astute Mercedes Benz collector. It’s just a ‘cool thing’ to have!

The car has its original book set (including the service book), an original sales brochure, service receipts for recent refurbishment work and other miscellaneous documentation.

Today the odometer reads 78,012 miles, which is understood to be genuine.

 

 


Specification

  • -
  • Mercedes Benz 220S Sedan
  • 1959
  • Sedan
  • Manual
  • 78012 miles
  • 2195 cc

SOLD

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