1952 Mercedes-Benz 220A Cabriolet #4942

As one of the first post-war Mercedes-Benz models, the 220 was introduced at the Frankfurt Auto Show in April 1951. The 220 featured the return of the inline 6-cylinder engine, which displaced 2.2 liters, (hence the 220 nomenclature), and provided an ample 80 horsepower. Styling was similar to the pre-war 170 though the headlamps were now fully enclosed by the front fenders. The modern front end was longer and interior furnishings were more lavish. The overhead camshaft inline-6 was mated to a column shifted synchronized 4-speed manual transmission which did provide, (and still does today), a lively driving experience. Top speed was nearly 90 miles an hour and it could reach 60 miles per hour in 20 seconds from a full stop. The 220 was offered in two different cabriolet options, the sporty Cabriolet A and the stylish Cabriolet B both of which offered comfortable seating for four but the B came with rear windows. With undeniable style and ample performance, the 220 marked Mercedes-Benz's return to form after World War II by offering luxury for the whole family while providing the level of performance that resonates in the spirit of Mercedes-Benz today – the best or nothing.


For consignment, a real stunner in the form of a 1952 Mercedes Benz 220A which was restored in the early 1980's, sports the 2.2 liter inline 6 cylinder and has an excellent convertible top to put up and down. It comes with a slew of receipts, restoration documents, the owner's manual, and has its fitted Karl Baisch 3 piece custom crafted luggage in the trunk. This example is in near showroom concours condition, and runs like a Swiss watch with German Panzer construction, and Italian styling. Very international, very nice and only one of 1,278 cars in this A form.

Exterior
Possible appearing a bit snobbish with its "looking down its nose" bezeled headlights with signals on top and a central large vertical grille which has more Mercedes and Deutsch commemorative badges than a highly motivated Eagle Scout. The grille, headlights, turn signals, driving lights and lower bumper are all pristinely preserved chromed works of art individually. Handmade fenders flank a V shaped hood with plenty of side ventilation, and gracefully make the ascent to cover the wheels and tires, then take a curved dive downward to form a running board that dies into the rear fenders. These are also rounded over and beautifully designed with perfect proportion in mind. Suicide front hinged doors have fancy actuators and when closed do so with a wonderful tight quality thud that can be heard in new Mercedes vehicles today, along with well minded gaps. A black top in perfect canvas is covering the passengers and a folding working Landau bar is adding some old world class to the B pillar sides of the top. In back a small glass trimmed window is allowing the driver to look behind through the rear view mirror. A very graceful crescent shape takes over for the rear deck and trunk lid. Here it meets up with the rear quarters, which emulate the curve and take the dive downward together. Just next to the tops of the rear quarters are the half bullet shaped signal lights mounted on either side. At the bottom of the curve are the tail lighting on either corner of the rear fenders. Just below is another shiny bumper framing the bottom of the trunk. It has vertical rabbit ears on it for a safe push if needed. When the top is in the down position there is no tonneau covering and it has a unique look to it, retaining the tasteful genre, and not needing a tonneau. Steel wheels are painted in silver and have encircling chrome accenting on their edges around the Mercedes star center caps as well as polished to the hilt trim rings. These are wrapped in thin red striped 185-15 radial tires all around. No rust, just silver paint in very good condition with just a slight patina and a few flaws, but still looking good 40 years after it's redux.

Interior
A swing of the rear hinged doors shows off the beautiful deep oxblood red leather door coverings. These have top vertical tuck and roll panels bordered by a delineating chromed trimmed swoop which separates the tuck and roll from the smooth leather lowers. A chromed pull, actuator and window crank are all here along with a small armrest which dies into the backs of the doors. A wonderful walnut burl wood sill is framing the tops of these doors. Inside Oxblood leather perfectly stitched into two large bucket seats take up the interior but give the passengers plenty of room to stretch out. These seats have wonderfully chromed hinges and push forward to reveal a nice storage area all carpeted in oxblood red. The seats offer up room for 4 on this Cabriolet as the rear seats fold down from the storage compartment. In front, the dash is nothing short of stunning. Here we have walnut wood rounded burl mixing with oxblood leather padded vertical panels. These oxblood panels house the black faced gauges with white lettering, and come in many shapes, but mostly circular with chromed bezels surrounding them. In the center in a wood finished square rodded over metal panel, a round vintage Becker multi-band radio dial is flanked by 4 knobs for station tuning and volume. The rounded dash top also in walnut has an ashtray and lighter. On the dash bottom is a lineup of slider knobs, pulls and the ignition all wrapped in the oxblood with chrome trim on their edges. For the passenger, a nice chrome trimmed oxblood leather covered glovebox is installed. The large factory steering wheel has nice polished trimming and is presented in black bakelite which is highly polished. Beautiful perfect red/oxblood carpeting floods the floors and is ultra clean. A shout to the trunk where we can note the spare tire and jack all correct for the era is residing. Also a custom set of hand made Karl Baisch branded luggage to match this car is strapped on shelving on top. This is a highly sought after option and is very hard to find, let alone have it installed and all correct. Talk about adding value!

Drivetrain
Under the slightly V shaped hood is the correct and rebuilt during the restoration 2.2 Liter SOHC inline 6 cylinder engine. It has a Solex 30 PAAJ 2-barrel carburetor on top and presents well with just light patina on some of the black painted components. Bolted to the back is the requisite 4-speed manual transmission which in turn sends power rearwar to the 4.44 rear axle. The engine and bay are near immaculately restored and all looking wonderful.

Undercarriage
Some patina, some road dirt but all structurally sound mechanical German engineering under here. Tube framing is way overdone, and is seen throughout the undercarriage. Drum braking is also on all corners as is independent coil spring suspension. Single exhaust is in charge of the exhale and remains strong with just a few light areas of surface rust on the piping.

Drive-Ability
A wonderful piece of Mercedes History and working like a clock. It starts right up, and runs smoothly and the performance is well above par for cars of the era. All functions save for the clock were operating as they should and I was even able to dial in a bit of short wave radio chatter, a rarity in the valley we call home. Comfort is key and the seats are wide and wonderful all in that Oxblood leather.

Plenty of vintage receipts dating back to 1962 for the repairs that were performed. There is also engine and restoration receipts from 1982-83. The paint still holds its luster, as does the trimmings and near concours interior. A fine car with beautiful post war design, custom luggage, and like new Landau working bar top. Im Luxushimmel!!!

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.