Introduced after a showing at the Frankfurt Auto Show
of 1951, production began in July of 1951.
Closely resembling
the Mercedes 170S, the headlights were instead moved to
the front fenders and the model featured much more elegant
interior appointments.
The 2.2 liter motor used a specially balanced crankshaft
making it extremely quiet, while the gearbox featured
full syncromesh and was mounted on the steering column.
Such were the improvements to the motor and body (having
over a 22 kilo weight reduction over the previous model),
that the 220 could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in around
21 seconds - quite fast for the day!
16,154 sedans were manufactured between 1951 and 1954,
after which the slightly improved 220a model was introduced
- and a further 25,937 of this model were made. 1954 was to be an important date in Mercedes history for
more than just the upgrade of the 220.
It also marked
Mercedes return to grand prix motor racing, with the legendary
Juan Manuel Fangio taking two consecutive world titles
in both 1954 and 1955 - ending the Italian dominance of
the Ferraris and Maseratis.
As with any classic, the convertible is the most collectable
and cherished, with only 2,360 being manufactured between
1951 and 1955.