Mercedes-Benz
220 Cabriolet A (W 187)

Why it matters

The 220 Cabriolet A was the two-seat open version of the first post-war Mercedes-Benz with a six-cylinder overhead-camshaft engine, shown at Frankfurt in April 1951. The factory describes the 220 convertibles as exclusive and sporty GT cars that replaced the 170 S convertibles. With 1,278 built it outlasted the Cabriolet B and, with the later coupé, formed the top of the W 187 range until 1955.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

• Mercedes-Benz 220 Cabriolet A (W 187) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 220 Cabriolet by Hiro Yamagata)
  Photo: Calreyn88 · CC BY-SA 4.0
• Mercedes-Benz 220 Cabriolet A (W 187) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 220 Cabriolet by Hiro Yamagata)
  Photo: MrWalkr · CC BY-SA 4.0

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

The archive lists the Cabriolet A (type 187.012) from a pre-production series in April 1951, with standard production from August 1951 until August 1955. The 220 was mechanically close to the 170 S, with the same chassis and almost the same body but headlights faired into the front wings and duplex front brakes to suit the 80 hp engine. The launch price in March 1951 was DM 18,300 without tyres and DM 18,850 with tyres from February 1952.

In November 1953 the straight windscreen of the Cabriolet A was replaced by a slightly curved one, and from April 1954 a higher-compression 85 hp engine was fitted, as in the new coupé, which was technically and stylistically based on the Cabriolet A. Bonhams states that the Cabriolet A cost around 70 percent more than the saloon.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

The archive type is 187.012 (Cabriolet B is 187.013, the coupé 187.023, the open tourer 187.018), with the M 180 I / 180.920 engine. Auction chassis numbers follow the pattern 187 012 xx xxx (for example 187 012 03 412), with engine numbers beginning 180 920. Recorded dimensions are a 2,845 mm wheelbase, 4,540 mm length and 1,560 mm height. Bonhams distinguishes the A from the B by its two-passenger layout with a rear jump seat and a single side window, a leather-covered dash top in veneered wood and bound Wilton carpet; RM Sotheby's notes that the early straight windscreen changed to a curved one in November 1953 (archive text).

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   220 Cabriolet A / W 187, 1951 - 1955 (model page) Level A Mercedes-Benz AG, Mercedes-Benz Public Archive (Classic M@RS)

   • Units produced : 1278
   • Engine type : M 180 I / 180.920 (Engine)
   • Configuration : front, longitudinal; vertical (Engine)
   • Number of cylinders / arrangement : 6 / in-line (Engine)
   • Total displacement : 2195 cc (Engine)
   • Bore x Stroke : 80 x 72.8 mm (Engine)
   • Compression ratio : 6.5; from 04.1954: 7.6 (Engine)
   • Number of valves / arrangement : 1 intake, 1 exhaust / overhead (Engine)
   • Fuel system : 1 Solex 30 PAAJ dual downdraught carburettor (Engine)
   • Rated output : 80 hp at 4600 rpm; from 04.1954: 85 hp at 4800 rpm (Engine)
   • Rated torque : 14.5 mkg at 2500 rpm; from 04.1954: 16 mkg at 2400 rpm (Engine)
   • Transmission type : change-speed gear (Transmission and Performance)
   • Gearing : 4-speed manual transmission (Transmission and Performance)
   • Gear ratios : I. 3.68; II. 2.25; III. 1.42; IV. 1.0; R. 3.08 (Transmission and Performance)
   • Final drive ratio : 4.44 (Transmission and Performance)
   • Driven wheels : Rear wheels (Chassis and Drivetrain)
   • Frame design : Cruciform oval-tube frame / steel unit body (Chassis and Drivetrain)
   • Front-wheel suspension : double wishbone (Chassis and Drivetrain)
   • Rear-wheel suspension : swing axle (Chassis and Drivetrain)
   • Brake system (foot brake) : hydraulic, acting on front- and rear wheels; four-wheel drum brakes (Chassis and Drivetrain)
   • Steering : ZF-Ross worm-and-lever steering, later recirculating-ball steering (Chassis and Drivetrain)
   • Wheelbase : 2845 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
   • Length : 4540 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
   • Width : 1685 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
   • Height : 1560 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
   • Front / rear track : 1315 / 1435 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
   • Kerb weight : 1420 kg (Dimensions and Weights)
   • Maximum speed : 145 km/h (Transmission and Performance)
   • Acceleration 0-100 km/h : 21 s (Transmission and Performance)
   • Fuel tank: position / capacity : in the rear / 48 l; from 02.1952: 65 l (Engine)
   • Fuel consumption : 10.9 l (Transmission and Performance)

   Accessed 2026-11-12
2. 2
   Mercedes-Benz Classic M@RS archive – 220 Cabriolet A Level A

   • 1278 cabriolets A

   Accessed 2026-11-12