In July 1947, production of the saloon variant also recommenced.

The German economic miracle would have been inconceivable without vehicles from Mercedes. The political fathers of the social market economy, the Deutschmark and the economic miracle had themselves chauffeured through the flourishing country in representative Mercedes‑Benz sedans and convertibles.

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And anyone who benefited sufficiently from the economic miracle liked to demonstrate this with a Mercedes‑Benz. Cars like the Adenauer Mercedes, the Gullwing or the Ponton – the basic model at the time – featured high up on the German citizens’ ‘want’ list.

The cars with the three-pointed star attracted buyers with such typical attributes of the brand as quality, comfort, longevity, dynamism and representative elegance. Also, the developers in the Mercedes‑Benz design studios had recognized the signs of change and ushered in a new era in form and design in Germany.

The car increasingly developed from a practically designed means of transport into an individually styled basic commodity.

And nowhere was this more noticeable than in the cabriolets produced by this distinguished German line.

The Mercedes-Benz 220 series began in 1951 with the W187, a car that marked both the German automotive industry’s recovery and a technological leap forward in post-war Europe. Debuting at the Paris Motor Show, the W187 was presented as an executive saloon, coupé, and convertible, each radiating class and solid engineering.

Its introduction of a six-cylinder engine with an overhead camshaft brought notable performance improvements over the pre-war 170 S.

The 220 line mirrored the social and economic landscape of the era: the Ponton models (W180/W128) reflected Germany’s mid-century optimism, sporting self-supporting bodies and pioneering suspension designs. By the late 1950s, upper-class aspirations and growing exports influenced design cues and technical progress. The W111 ‘Große Flosse’ (Big Fin) models continued this path, introducing crumple zones and safety cells, a testament to Mercedes’ commitment to advanced engineering and safety.

The Mercedes-Benz 220 lineage is complex, with several distinct model generations. The earliest, the W187 (1951-1955), drew heavily on the 170 S, yet distinguished itself with a new 2.2L inline-six M 180 engine and integrated fender headlights. The W180 (1954-1959) – the ‘Ponton’ – brought innovations like a swing axle and was offered as 220a, 220S, and 220SE. Variants included sedans, coupés, and cabriolets, each with escalating trim and performance.

The W128 (1958-1960) amplified luxury, offering Bosch fuel injection on the 220SE. From 1959, the W111 series introduced the iconic tail fins and framed the new face of the Mercedes upper class.

What sets the Mercedes-Benz 220 apart is its commitment at every stage to luxury, safety, and engineering. The W187 introduced the overhead camshaft six-cylinder engine; the W180/W128 featured a self-supporting ‘Ponton’ body and pioneering rear suspension derived from Formula One. With those crumple zones, robust passenger safety cells, and available power steering and automatic transmissions, the W111 further raised the bar.

Interiors across the range showcased high-grade leather, rich wood veneers, and comprehensive instrumentation, underlining the craftsmanship involved – especially in hand-built coupés and cabriolets.

Accordingly, at Beverly Hills Car Club we present a stunning 1960 Mercedes-Benz 220SE Cabriolet, a beautifully presented example of one of the manufacturer’s’s most elegant and collectible open-top grand tourers. Finished in its factory-correct Fire Engine Red (534) over a Cognac leather interior with rich wood trim accents, this Cabriolet captures the refined craftsmanship and understated sophistication of the W128 Ponton era.

Powered by 2.2-liter inline-six with mechanical fuel injection, this 220SE delivers a composed and engaging driving experience paired with a 4-speed manual gearbox.  Additional equipment includes single exhaust outlet, Hella-branded fog lights, 13-inch steel wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich Silvertown whitewall tires and Mercedes-Benz hubcaps.

The cabin reflects classic Mercedes craftsmanship, featuring low-back bucket seats, wood trim accents, and period-correct instrumentation.

Convenience features include an analog clock, manual crank windows, driver-side rearview mirror, 2-spoke steering wheel, map pockets, glove box, Becker Mexico radio, and a fender-mounted antenna.

The 220SE Cabriolet represents one of the final Mercedes-Benz models to feature extensive hand-finishing, resulting in subtle variations and craftsmanship that are increasingly rare today. This example is particularly desirable as one of only 1,112 produced worldwide. Our model’s chrome work is superb, and the whole car is beautiful, correct, and retains an original, mellowed leather interior. The underside is as impressive as the rest of the car.

A refined open-top grand tourer from Mercedes-Benz’s W128 Ponton era, this Cabriolet combines timeless design with mechanical sophistication and handcrafted detail. With elegant proportions and classic German engineering, it remains one of the most collectible Mercedes convertibles of its time.

This is a rare opportunity to own a beautiful example of Mercedes-Benz’s early postwar luxury convertibles and is mechanically sound.

-Alex Manos, Owner