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Mercedes-Benz 220 Saloon

Mercedes-Benz 220 Saloon

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Mercedes-Benz 220 SaloonMercedes-Benz 220 SaloonMercedes-Benz 220 SaloonMercedes-Benz 220 SaloonMercedes-Benz 220 Saloon
Mercedes-Benz 220 SaloonMercedes-Benz 220 SaloonMercedes-Benz 220 SaloonMercedes-Benz 220 SaloonMercedes-Benz 220 Saloon
Mercedes-Benz 220 SaloonMercedes-Benz 220 SaloonMercedes-Benz 220 SaloonMercedes-Benz 220 SaloonMercedes-Benz 220 Saloon
Mercedes-Benz 220 SaloonMercedes-Benz 220 Saloon
Lot number 143
Hammer value £19,000
Description Mercedes-Benz 220 Saloon
Registration 141 HYX
Year 1954
Colour Blue
Engine size 2,195 cc
Chassis No. 187.011.3503621
Engine No. 180.920.3503726

A high quality car in the finest Mercedes tradition, the W187 Series 220 Saloon was introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in April 1951.

Effectively a six-cylinder version of the pre-war 170, the 220 retained the oval-tube backbone-type chassis and swing-axle independent rear suspension of the 170S, but had thoroughly modern double wishbone/coil spring suspension at the front and servo-assisted hydraulic brakes. The Motor found that the new Mercedes-Benz, 'offered an almost unique sensation in coupling genuine soft suspension and comfortable ride over rough roads with light precise steering, freedom from roll and an ability to traverse an accurate predetermined course which would do credit to a racing car.'

The OHC 2.2-litre straight-six produced 80bhp which, driving through an all-synchro four-speed manual column-change box, gave the 220 a top speed of 89mph and a 0-60 time of 19.5 seconds. Only in production for three years, just 16,154 W187 saloons (plus 2,360 coupes and cabriolets) were sold, the vast majority in LHD, before it was replaced by the rather less attractive unibody W180 Ponton in 1954.

As the original buff log book confirms, this rare right-hand drive 220 was supplied new by Murkett Brothers of Cambridge to first owner Albert Harris Ltd of Medusa Mills, Stourbridge, in March 1954. They kept it until September 1965 when ownership transferred to a Peter Kidner of Oundle, Northants, after which the trail goes cold until 2003 when it had a new owner in Castleford, West Yorks. He sold it to local classic car dealer DT Mathewson of Thornton Le Dale, from whom the previous owner acquired it in 2008.

At this point the car had reputedly been treated to a full body restoration in 2001-2002, as reported in a three-page article in the March 2011 issue of the Mercedes-Benz Club magazine (copy on file) which also stated that the car was in ‘exceptional condition’ and had won various awards at local car shows. Other bills on file suggest that the engine was rebuilt in 1974 with six new pistons while much other engine work was also carried out in 2005 using parts bought from Niemoller in Germany.

The previous owner also carried out much work in 2009-2012 including skimming the cylinder head; replacing the valves and head gasket; fitting new 'auto lube' pipes and unions; replacing the windscreen and rubber seal; refurbishing the fuel and temperature gauges; repairing the starter motor; replacing the timing chain; fitting a new Weber DGAV carburettor in place of the original Solex; replacing all five tyres; fitting flashing indicators and a new battery. The interior was also retrimmed with new seat covers and carpets.

The current engineer owner acquired the car in November 2012 to join a fleet of fine classics that he owns and has thoroughly gone through it to ensure that it is in the condition he demands, including stripping and reassembling the engine to cure a rough running problem which turned out to be nothing more than incorrect tappet clearance.

Now said to be running and driving as well as it looks, it comes with a good history file including sundry invoices for recent maintenance, much technical literature relating to the model and 10 old MOTs back to 2002 which see the mileage rise from 25,035 then to 31,770 today.

Only reluctantly being sold to free up space for the imminent arrival of an even more exotic Fifties Mercedes Roadster, this rare, handsome and thoroughly sorted saloon would make a fine addition to any collection.

Please note the true colour of this car is closer to the first photo than the others which were taken on a different camera which seems to have been on gaudy setting!

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