Rare Car Archive

Makes › Mercedes-Benz Germany › 220 › 220 SE Cabriolet (W 128) · Rare specification · 1958–1960 Rare

Mercedes-Benz
220 SE Cabriolet (W 128)

Fuel-injected “Ponton” cabriolet.

Mercedes-Benz 220 SE Cabriolet (W 128) (Wikimedia Commons search)
Mercedes-Benz 220 SE Cabriolet (W 128) (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Lothar Spurzem · CC BY-SA 2.0
1,112BuiltFactory reported
0Chassis documentedin this archive
?SurvivingNot yet verified
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
1,112 Built
Years
1958–1960
Engine
Front, longitudinal; vertical; 6-cylinder in-line · 2,195 cc / 2.2 LFactory: 2,195 cc
Power
85.8 kW / 117 PSFactory: 115 hp · converted
Top speed
160 km/hFactory: 160 km/h
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Karl Wilfert (styling lead) with head designer Friedrich Geiger
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
Not yet verified

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The 220 SE Cabriolet is the fuel-injected version of the Ponton convertible. The archive counts 1,112 built from 1958 to November 1960, out of 1,942 injected coupés and convertibles in total, and RM Sotheby's calls it the ultimate W 128 model. It used a very early form of Bosch mechanical injection, which gave the "E" in the name.

How rare is it?

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

Model rarityNot yet assessed
Specification rarityRare 1,112 · Built1,2
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

What is countedFigureBasisStatus
Factory package productioncabriolets 1,1121,2 Factory production Factory reported

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

History

From September 1958 the coupé and convertible were offered as the 220 SE with Bosch mechanical manifold injection; apart from the engine they matched the carburettor 220 S. The injection engine raised power to 115 hp and cost DM 1,900 extra, with the Hydrak clutch another DM 450. From August 1959 the modified M 127 III engine delivered 120 hp, and after the carburettor 220 S ended in October 1959 only the 220 SE continued. Production stopped in November 1960, and a new 111 series convertible followed in 1961.

The archive lists launch prices of DM 23,400 in September 1958 and DM 23,200 in August 1959. RM Sotheby's notes a US price of about $8,091 when new, similar to a Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz convertible.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard 220 SE Cabriolet (W 128).

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyNot yet verified
Engine codeM 127 I / 127.980; from 08.1959: M 127 III / 127.9831
LayoutFront, longitudinal; vertical; 6-cylinder in-line1
Cylinders61
Displacement 2,195 cc / 2.2 LFactory: 2,195 cc1Archive adds: tax classification 2171 cc.
Bore 80 mmFactory: 80 mm1
Stroke 72.8 mmFactory: 72.8 mm1
Compression ratio8.7:11
Valvetrain1 intake, 1 exhaust valve per cylinder, overhead; 1 overhead camshaft driven by double roller chain1
Fuel systemManifold injection, mechanically controlled; Bosch 2-plunger injection pump1
Power 85.8 kW / 117 PSFactory: 115 hp · converted1Rating: manufacturerFrom August 1959 (engine M 127 III) the archive gives 120 hp at 4800 rpm.
Power at 4,800 rpm1Also 4800 rpm from 08.1959.
Torque 186 Nm / 19 kgmFactory: 19 kgm1Archive prints the unit as mkg (metre-kilograms, kgm). From August 1959: 19.3 kgm at 3900 rpm.
Torque at 3,800 rpm1From August 1959: 3900 rpm.

Transmission & drivetrain

GearboxManual change-speed gear; dry single-disc clutch (optional "Hydrak" hydraulic-automatic clutch from 08.1957); steering-column shift lever1
Gears41
Gear ratiosI. 3.52; II. 2.32; III. 1.52; IV. 1.0; R. 3.291
Final drive4.101
Driven wheelsRear wheels1

Chassis, body & dimensions

ChassisFloor assembly / steel unit body1
Front suspensionDouble wishbone; coil springs, torsion bar stabiliser; telescopic shock absorbers1
Rear suspensionSingle-joint swing axle; coil springs; telescopic shock absorbers1
BrakesHydraulic with vacuum booster, acting on front and rear wheels; four-wheel drum brakes; mechanical parking brake on rear wheels1
SteeringRecirculating-ball steering1
Body constructionNot yet verified
Wheelbase 2,700 mmFactory: 2,700 mm1
Length 4,700 mmFactory: 4,700 mm1
Width 1,790 mmFactory: 1,790 mm1
Height 1,530 mmFactory: 1,530 mm1
Front track 1,430 mmFactory: 1,430 mm1
Rear track 1,470 mmFactory: 1,470 mm1
Kerb weight 1,410 kgFactory: 1,410 kg1Per DIN 70020: ready to drive, including fuel, spare wheel and tool kit. With Hydrak the archive gives 1430 kg.
Dry weightNot yet verified

Performance

Maximum speed 160 km/hFactory: 160 km/h1From August 1959 the archive gives 165 km/h.
0–100 km/h 15 s1
Fuel tank 62 LFactory: 62 L1Tank is in the rear.
Fuel consumption 10.7 L/100kmFactory: 10.7 L/100km1Mercedes-Benz archive figure in litres per 100 km: 10.7 l (10.9 l with Hydrak; per 100 km, DIN 70030 basis)

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

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

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

The archive type is 128.030 (design name W 128) with the M 127 I / 127.980 injection engine, replaced from August 1959 by the M 127 III / 127.983. MBZPonton.org lists the chassis code W128.030 for the cabriolet. Auction chassis numbers follow 128.030-10-00xxxx (for example 128.030-10-003899, with engine 127.983-10-001227). Recorded dimensions: 2,700 mm wheelbase, 4,700 mm length, 1,790 mm width, 1,530 mm height, 1,410 kg kerb weight (1,430 kg with Hydrak). One RM Sotheby's lot quotes 130 hp and a three-speed gearbox, which does not agree with the archive (115 or 120 hp, four-speed).

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    220 SE Cabriolet / W 128, 1958 - 1960 (model page) Level A Mercedes-Benz AG, Mercedes-Benz Public Archive (Classic M@RS)
    • Units produced : 1.112
    • Engine type : M 127 I / 127.980; from 08.1959: M 127 III / 127.983 (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 : 8.7 (Engine)
    • Number of valves / arrangement : 1 intake, 1 exhaust / overhead (Engine)
    • Fuel system : Manifold injection, mechanically controlled; Bosch 2-plunger injection pump (Engine)
    • Rated output : 115 hp at 4800 rpm; from 08.1959: 120 hp at 4800 rpm (Engine)
    • Rated torque : 19 mkg at 3800 rpm; from 08.1959: 19.3 mkg at 3900 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 : 1410 kg (Dimensions and Weights)
    • Maximum speed : 160 km/h (Transmission and Performance)
    • Acceleration 0-100 km/h : 15 s (Transmission and Performance)
    • Fuel tank: position / capacity : in the rear / 62 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 SE Cabriolet Level A
    • 1112 cabriolets
    Accessed 2026-11-12

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