Dressed in its original colors and finished to an exacting restored standard worthy of any internationally recognized concours event, this 220 Cabriolet A would make a well qualified addition to the most demanding of collections. Very few examples of this Mercedes-Benz classic anywhere in the world can match this car in the overall attention to detail throughout
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Matching Numbers. Chassis no. 187 012 03483/53. Engine no. 180 920 03615/53. Restored in Original Colors of DB 157 Grey-Beige Paint with 653 Green Leather Interior. Correct Grey Fabric Soft Top. Original Rare Factory Spare Part Wood Box. Original Karl Baisch Luggage. Top Boot w/ Bag. Books, Tools, Jack, Lug Wrench, Tire Mounting Fork and Spare Tire. Original Tire Pressure Gauge. Correct White Wall Tires. Becker Monaco Radio. Burled Walnut Wood Trim. Extensive Documentation Includes Ownership Records, Copy of Factory Build Sheet, Copy of Factory Data Card, Restoration Documentation and Receipts Totaling Over $400,000. 51,592 km
This 1953 Mercedes-Benz 220 Cabriolet A is a body-on-frame 2+2 seat convertible coupe with traditional pre-war composite body construction with structural wood framing. It features a padded top with landau irons, and rear-hinged doors. The engine is an advanced overhead-cam, short stroke six cylinder design which allows for comfortable cruising at highway speeds. Notably, as a late 1953 model this Mercedes has a curved windshield, probably one of the earliest to carry this design change.
The car was first shipped to the Mercedes Benz dealer in Zurich, Switzerland on November 2nd, 1953 as noted on the Mercedes factory build sheet accompanying the car. The 220 was purchased new by Rene Hummel, Montagne 8, 2300 La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland on May 5, 1954 and was registered and plated as NE 2292. It remained in Hummel’s ownership until it was sold to Herr R. Dahler of Burgdorf, Switzerland on August 16th, 1973, and then 3 years later, it was sold to Robert Leveque of Charlottesville, Virginia in September of 1976. Upon his passing, the car would be sold from the Leveque family to the current owner in August 2005.
After 10 years of ownership, and with a comprehensive plan for the car in place, in 2015 the current owner brought this 220 Cabriolet A to pre-war and vintage Mercedes specialists Magno Restorations of Ward Hill, Massachusetts to be restored. The extensive restoration work performed included disassembly and refitting/refinishing of the body, doors and fenders, installation of new structural wood in the body, replacement of sheet metal where necessary, refinishing all sheet-metal bodywork, a new wiring harness, brake system rebuilding, restoration of the leather upholstery, making leather-bound wool carpeting, making and installing new soft-top and headliner, re-chroming, and refinishing the original chassis and suspension parts. The paint, leather and top have been restored to the original colors. The car was painted in the original DB 157 Grey Beige (with Glasurit Basecoat/Clearcoat) which appears a subtle pale green when bathed in full sunlight. A complete new headliner, top pad, and top were installed, also in original colors. All interior leather has been done in the original 653 Green.
The original engine has been re-tuned and serviced as needed during the restoration, leaving it in an exceptional running condition today with proper compression readings for its 6.5/1 compression spec ratio. Other mechanical systems such as the transmission, rear axle, central-lubrication system, and dashboard instruments were all fully serviced or restored to further compliment the high standards required by the owners for the finished product.
A further, more detailed description of the work completed on the car is available upon request along with receipts for all work completed during the restoration. Restoration receipts for the work done by Henry Magno in concert with the owners desire for a fine finished product exceeded $400,000 according to extensive records which are provided with the documentation accompanying the car.
All evidence suggests this Mercedes has had good care by its stewards prior to the acquisition of the car by the current owner. The chassis, engine and body numbers of the car all match the factory build sheet and the original tags have been retained on the car as further testament to the cars authenticity. Period correct accessories include burled walnut trim, reconditioned Becker Monaco radio and speaker, Karl Baisch luggage, tools and tool roll, an original and very rare wooden spare parts box made specifically for 220’s, and the correct under-hood plug-in drop light.
Today, this exceptional Mercedes classic is in a wonderful and fresh restored condition throughout. Cosmetically, the detailed finish of the paint, chrome and fits compliment a beautifully correct and authentically crafted leather and burl walnut interior. The engine bay and undercarriage are completely cosmetically restored and refinished to concours event standards while mechanically the car performs flawlessly. There can surely be few 220 Cabriolet A Mercedes in the world that match the attention to detail and restored qualities of this magnificent 50’s Mercedes-Benz classic. Ready for show or drive, this example would make a truly worthy addition to the very best of Mercedes collections in the world.
The one and only time this 220 has been shown publicly was at The Inaugural Greenbrier Concours d’Elegance, White Sulphur Springs, WVA which was held on May 6, 2018. It was awarded Best in Class of post-WWII production cars. Alex Dearborn, a noted expert on classic Mercedes and co-founder of Gullwing Service Company (Now Paul Russell Company), has examined this car and believes that it sets a benchmark for originality, authenticity and workmanship over other 220 Cabriolet A’s he has examined.
This exceptional Mercedes is ready for show or driving enjoyment, we invite inspection by appointment, restoration and history documentation is available by request.
