Mercedes-Benz
220 S Coupé (W 180)

Why it matters

The 220 S Coupé is the closed twin of the 220 S Cabriolet, a hand-finished two-door Ponton that appeared three months after the convertible. The factory archive counts 1,251 built from October 1956 to October 1959. Together with the convertible and the later 220 SE versions, the factory describes these coupés and convertibles as rarer than other post-war Mercedes-Benz models.

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 Coupé (W 180) (Wikimedia Commons search)
  Photo: nakhon100 · CC BY 2.0
• Mercedes-Benz 220 S Coupé (W 180) (Wikimedia Commons search)
  Photo: nakhon100 · CC BY 2.0
• Mercedes-Benz 220 S Coupé (W 180) (Wikimedia Commons search)
  Photo: nakhon100 · CC BY 2.0

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 coupé shared the convertible's chassis, which was shorter than that of the saloons, and was introduced in autumn 1956 at DM 21,500. In August 1957 it was revised with 106 hp and the optional Hydrak clutch; the fuel-injected 220 SE coupé then followed in September 1958, and the last carburettor 220 S was built in October 1959.

RM Sotheby's describes the car as hand-finished at Sindelfingen to coachbuilt standards at a price close to 75 percent above the saloon. Bonhams reports that steel sunroofs were rare, fitted to about 150 of the 1,251 coupés.

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 180.037 (design name W 180 II) with the M 180 III / 180.924 engine and two Solex carburettors. MBZPonton.org lists the chassis code W180.037, and a Bonhams chassis reads 180 037 7516490 with engine number 180 927 6503296. MBZPonton.org adds that a coupé with a steel sunroof does not have a unique chassis prefix, so the roof cannot be identified from the number. Recorded dimensions: 2,700 mm wheelbase, 4,700 mm length, 1,790 mm width, 1,530 mm height and 1,350 kg kerb weight (1,365 kg with Hydrak).

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

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

   • Units produced : 1251
   • 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 : 1350 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 Coupé Level A

   • 1251 coupés

   Accessed 2026-11-12