Mercedes-Benz
220 S Cabriolet (W 180)

Why it matters

The 220 S Cabriolet is the open version of the six-cylinder Ponton and was built in 2,178 cars from 1956 to 1959. The factory notes that the Ponton coupés and convertibles, with only 5,731 built across all versions, are among the rarer post-war Mercedes-Benz models. Unlike the larger 300 S convertibles it has a fully retractable top.

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 S Cabriolet (W 180) (Wikimedia Commons search)
  Photo: Ermell · CC BY-SA 4.0
• Mercedes-Benz 220 S Cabriolet (W 180) (Wikimedia Commons search)
  Photo: Ermell · 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

A 220 Convertible A/C was shown at the Frankfurt motor show two months after the last 220 Cabriolet A was built in August 1955. It was planned as an open 220 a with the chassis shortened by 120 mm, but the open version of the 220 a never reached production. Instead the convertible built from July 1956 was based on the 220 S, which carried a 100 hp engine and weighed 60 kg more because of the stiffening needed. The coupé followed three months later.

In August 1957 the 220 S was revised, with 106 hp and the optional "Hydrak" hydraulic-automatic clutch. The 220 SE with fuel injection followed in September 1958, and the carburettor 220 S convertible ended in October 1959. The list price in May 1956 was DM 21,500, and RM Sotheby's says the cabriolets cost nearly 75 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 180.030 (design name W 180 II) with the M 180 III / 180.924 engine and two Solex 32 PAJTA carburettors; the coupé is 180.037, and the fuel-injected successor is W 128. A Bonhams chassis number reads 180030N8510470 with engine number 180924N8507740, showing the type prefix. MBZPonton.org lists the chassis code W180.030 for the cabriolet. Recorded dimensions are a 2,700 mm wheelbase, 4,700 mm length, 1,790 mm width and 1,530 mm height, on 5 K x 13 rims with 6.70-13 tyres. From August 1957 power is 106 hp (100 hp before), and Hydrak cars are 15 kg heavier.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   220 S Cabriolet / W 180 II, 1956 - 1959 (model page) Level A Mercedes-Benz AG, Mercedes-Benz Public Archive (Classic M@RS)

   • Units produced : 2178
   • Engine type : M 180 III / 180.924 (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 : 7.6; from 08.1957: 8.7 (Engine)
   • Number of valves / arrangement : 1 intake, 1 exhaust / overhead (Engine)
   • Fuel system : 2 Solex 32 PAJTA compound downdraught carburettors (Engine)
   • Rated output : 100 hp at 4800 rpm; from 08.1957: 106 hp at 5200 rpm (Engine)
   • Rated torque : 16.5 mkg at 3500 rpm; from 08.1957: 17.5 mkg at 3500 rpm (Engine)
   • Transmission type : change-speed gear (Transmission and Performance)
   • Gearing : 4-speed manual transmission (Transmission and Performance)
   • Gear ratios : I. 3.52; II. 2.32; III. 1.52; IV. 1.0; R. 3.29 (Transmission and Performance)
   • Final drive ratio : 4.10 (Transmission and Performance)
   • Driven wheels : Rear wheels (Chassis and Drivetrain)
   • Frame design : Floor assembly / steel unit body (Chassis and Drivetrain)
   • Front-wheel suspension : double wishbone (Chassis and Drivetrain)
   • Rear-wheel suspension : single-joint swing axle (Chassis and Drivetrain)
   • Brake system (foot brake) : hydraulic, with vacuum booster ... four-wheel drum brakes (Chassis and Drivetrain)
   • Steering : Recirculating-ball steering (Chassis and Drivetrain)
   • Wheelbase : 2700 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
   • Length : 4700 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
   • Width : 1790 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
   • Height : 1530 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
   • Front / rear track : 1430 / 1470 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
   • Kerb weight : 1385 kg (Dimensions and Weights)
   • Maximum speed : 160 km/h (Transmission and Performance)
   • Acceleration 0-100 km/h : 17 s (Transmission and Performance)
   • Fuel tank: position / capacity : in the rear / 64 l (Engine)
   • Fuel consumption : 10.7 l (Hydrak 10.9 l) (Transmission and Performance)

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

   • 2178 cabriolets

   Accessed 2026-11-12