Mercedes-Benz - 220S Ponton Cabriolet - 1957

Mercedes-Benz 220 S "Ponton" Cabriolet – 1957

- Matching Numbers
– ASI Certified
- Exceptionally well-documented History

The Mercedes-Benz 220 S Cabriolet belongs to the most elegant and prestigious open Mercedes-Benz models from the 1950s. The W180 series, today widely known as the "Ponton", represented an important transition for Mercedes-Benz to the modern self-supporting body construction and a design in which the previously separate fenders were fully integrated into the body.

The 220 S was introduced in 1956 as the luxurious six-cylinder version of the Ponton series. In July 1956 followed the particularly elegant Cabriolet. The open version used a shorter wheelbase than the sedan and, due to the absence of a fixed roof, required significant additional reinforcements in the self-supporting body. The result was an advanced technically and exceptionally high-quality open Grand Tourer.

Together with the Coupé, the Cabriolet was among the most exclusive variants of the W180. In total, only 3,429 examples of the 220 S Coupé and Cabriolet were produced.

The car offered here is a Mercedes-Benz 220 S Ponton Cabriolet from 1957, equipped with its 2,195 cc six-cylinder inline engine with double Solex carburetors and a fully synchronized four-speed manual gearbox.

Both the chassis and the engine correspond to the historical documentation, making it a matching-numbers example.

Chassis number: 180030N7511178

Engine number: 180940-059515

This Mercedes is distinguished in particular by its exceptionally extensive provenance. The car has an Italian history dating back to 1957 and is supplied with, among other items, the original Italian registration book, historical ownership documents, original inspection stamps, an official ASI Historic Identity Certificate, and multiple official documents from Mercedes-Benz Italia.

According to the historical documentation, the original color combination is Graphite Grey with a brown leather interior. This combination is also recorded in the official ASI documentation.

The car also has official historic certification from Automotoclub Storico Italiano (ASI), recording the chassis number, engine number and year of production. The historical ASI classification dates back to 1999.

COACHWORK/PAINTWORK:

The bodywork of this Mercedes-Benz 220 S Cabriolet presents itself exceptionally well and is a beautiful example of the elegant Ponton design from the fifties.

The car is finished in Graphite Grey, matching the historically documented original color. The subdued grey forms a particularly stylish combination with the brown leather interior and the large amount of chrome.

Characteristic for the Ponton Cabriolet is the elegant two-door body with long flanks, rounded body lines and a relatively low fabric soft top. With the top up, it forms a particularly elegant open classic, while the closed fabric top preserves the original lines of the car well.

The bodywork is accented by an extensive amount of period-correct chrome. These include, among others:

- Chrome front and rear bumpers with overriders
- Large chrome Mercedes-Benz grille with the Mercedes star
- Chrome surrounding of the headlights
- Chrome side mirrors
- Chrome window surrounds and trim strips
- Chrome door handles
- Complete chrome hubcaps

The visible chrome is well presented and forms a fine combination with the Graphite Grey body.

The car sits on steel wheels appropriate for the model with full Mercedes-Benz hubcaps. Whitewall tires were among the optional equipment and at the time represented a price premium of 250 DM.

The Cabriolet top is made of canvas, in accordance with the historical specification. The car also features the characteristic front windscreen wipers, a laminated safety windshield and dual windshields.

The bodywork, detailing and color scheme give the car a particularly authentic appearance that excellent aligns with the original luxurious character of the 220 S Cabriolet.

TECHNICAL:

Under the hood lies the 2,195 cc six-cylinder inline engine. The engine is fed by two Solex carburetors and is paired with a fully synchronized four-speed manual transmission.

A particularly important point for this example is that the historical documentation identifies both the chassis and the engine:

Chassis number: 180030N7511178

Engine number: 180940-059515

These numbers are also listed on the official ASI Historic Identity Certificate. This makes the car a matching chassis and engine, an important aspect for the historical value and collectability of a Mercedes-Benz of this age.

Technical configuration includes, among others:

- 2,195 cc six-cylinder inline engine
- Dual Solex carburetors
- Manual four-speed transmission
- Fully synchronized transmission
- Rear-wheel drive
- Independent front suspension
- Swing-axle rear
- Hydraulic drum brakes front and rear
- hydraulically operated clutch
- Recirculating-ball steering
- 12-volt electrical system
- Dynamo
- Mechanical fuel pump

The official ASI specification also confirms the six-cylinder engine with 2,195 cc displacement, the manual four-speed transmission and hydraulic drum brakes front and rear.

FULLY DOCUMENTED HISTORY:

Vehicle identification

The historical documentation identifies the car as follows:

Brand: Mercedes-Benz
Model: 220 S W180 Ponton
Year of production: 1957
First registration: January 1, 1957
Chassis number: 180030N7511178
Engine number: 180940-059515
Engine: 2,195 cc six-cylinder inline, petrol
Power according to Italian registration: 106 hp
Fiscal power Italy: 25 CV
Transmission: manual four-speed
Seats: 5
Fuel: petrol

ORIGINAL REGISTRATION:

The original Italian registration book, the Carta di Circolazione, is still with the car.

This documents:

First registration in 1957
Province of registration: Venice
Historic Italian license plate: VE 365294
Chassis number: 180030N7511178
Displacement: 2,195 cc
Six cylinders
Bore: 80 mm
Stroke: 72.8 mm
Manual four-speed
Five seats

The original blue registration book is included, together with later registration documents.

In addition, official historic certification from ASI is present.

ASI Certificate of Identity:

Number: 11727

This confirms:

Mercedes-Benz 220 S
Chassis number: 180030N7511178
Engine number: 180940-059515
Production year: 1957

ASI SPECIFICATION SHEET:

The official ASI specification sheet states:

Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz
Engine: 6 cylinders, 2,195 cc
Transmission: Manual four-speed
Brakes front: Hydraulic drum brakes
Brakes rear: Hydraulic drum brakes
Tires front: 6.40-13
Tires rear: 6.40-13
Original factory colors:
Exterior: Graphite Grey
Interior: Brown leather
Body material: Steel
Convertible top material: Canvas
HISTORICAL CLASSIFICATION:

ASI historic classification issued on: 18 October 1999
Classification: Type A, Group 3
The associated inspection took place in Mogliano Veneto on 10 October 1999.

In 2017 a duplicate ASI certificate was issued because the original certificate had been lost. This document is also part of the history.

Official Mercedes-Benz Italia documentation:

Three official documents/letters from Mercedes-Benz Italia.
CERTIFICATE OF SEAT CONFIGURATION
Issued on: 28 July 2009
Mercedes-Benz officially confirms that this car was originally produced with:
Seats: 3 (front) / 2 (rear)
Total seats: 5
This certificate supported the official registration of the car at the time.

APPROVAL LETTER FOR TIRE SIZES
Issued on: 23 February 2009
Mercedes-Benz Italia issued an official approval for additional tire sizes that were not originally listed on the registration document.
Approved tire sizes: 6.70 S13, 185 R14
Corresponding approved wheel sizes: 5K x 13B, 5½J x 14 H2 ET30
This approval was intended for registration with the Italian Ministry of Transport.

TECHNICAL APPROVAL LETTER
Mercedes-Benz additionally confirms that:
Factory-approved tire sizes are approved
Replacement tire sizes require approval from the Italian ministry
A production sheet is part of the technical approval documentation

OFFICIAL ITALIAN INSPECTION HISTORY:
The original registration book contains several official Italian inspections, the so-called Revisioni.
Visible inspection dates are:
February 17, 1988
February 13, 1991
March 30, 1996
Each registered inspection bears the corresponding official government stamp.

ORIGINAL REGISTRATION BOOK AND HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS:
The car includes, among others:
Original blue Italian registration book
Original red registration folder
Several historical ownership notes
Original tax/payment documents
Original historic payment proof by mail
These documents form important provenance evidence and are particularly valuable for reconstructing the history of a 1957 car.

ITALIAN PRA CERTIFICATE:
The PRA certificate from the Italian public vehicle registry states:
Registration: VE064366
Vehicle: Mercedes Daimler-Benz 220 S
Chassis number: 180030N7511178
First registration: January 1, 1957
Fuel: Petrol
Fiscal power: 25 CV
The PRA document also records:
Earlier owners: 3
Current owner: 1
The certificate notes no registered mortgages or other encumbrances on the vehicle.
Ownership transferred by deed: April 28, 2014
Certificate issued: September 9, 2014.

INTERIOR:
The interior is finished in brown leather, in accordance with the historically documented original color scheme.
The warm brown leather forms a particularly stylish combination with the Graphite Grey body and perfectly suits the luxurious character of an open Mercedes-Benz from the fifties.
The 220 S Cabriolet interior is characterized by a mix of leather, wood, chrome and ivory-colored details.
Including:
- Brown leather upholstery
- Matching leather door panels
- Wooden dashboard finish
- Ivory steering wheel
- Chrome horn ring
- Lockable dashboard compartment
- Dashboard clock
- Interior lighting
- Sun visors
- Ashtrays front and rear
- Coat hooks
- Luggage board behind the rear seat
- Floor coverings
- Folding front seats for access to the rear
- Heating
- Windscreen defogger
The classic dashboard features the extensive instrumentation typical of this model, including:
- Speedometer
- Fuel gauge
- Coolant temperature gauge
- Oil pressure gauge
- Ammeter
- Clock
- Various indicator lights

An interesting historical detail is the seating configuration. On 28 July 2009, Mercedes-Benz Italia officially confirmed, for exactly this car, that it was originally produced with three seats in front and two in the rear, resulting in an official configuration of five seats.

Additional equipment at the time also included a Becker radio and a dashboard clock. These options represented a former price premium of 450 DM and 100 DM respectively.

The overall impression is of a high-quality Mercedes-Benz from the fifties, a period when many interior components were still finished largely by hand. It is particularly noteworthy that the interior remains in original condition, whereas many others have repeatedly been reupholstered. For purists, this is a major advantage.

DOCUMENTS:

The documentation is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable aspects of this Mercedes-Benz.

Where for many cars of this age only limited history remains, this example has an exceptionally extensive dossier that documents almost seven decades of the car’s life.

The original Italian registration book, the Carta di Circolazione, is still with the car.

It confirms, among other things:
- First registration in 1957
- Original registration in the Province of Venice
- Historic Italian license plate VE 365294
- Chassis number 180030N7511178
- Displacement 2,195 cc
- Six-cylinder engine
- Bore 80 mm
- Stroke 72.8 mm
- Manual four-speed
- Five seats

The original blue registration book is included, along with later registration documentation.

In addition, official historic certification from ASI is present.
ASI Certificate of Identity:
Number: 11727
This confirms:
- Mercedes-Benz 220 S
- Chassis number 180030N7511178
- Engine number 180940-059515
- Production year 1957

The historical classification was issued on 18 October 1999 as Type A, Group 3, following an inspection in Mogliano Veneto on 10 October 1999.
In 2017 a duplicate ASI certificate was issued because the original certificate had been lost. This document is also part of the history.
The dossier also includes three official letters from Mercedes-Benz Italia:
- Certificate regarding the original five-seat configuration
- Official approval for alternative tire sizes
- Additional technical approval documentation

Also present is the Italian PRA documentation. This confirms, among other things, the vehicle, chassis number, first registration year and ownership history. It also states that there are no registered mortgages or other liens on the vehicle.

The car is supplied with, among others:
- Original Italian registration book (Carta di Circolazione)
- Original red registration booklet
- Historical registration notes
- Historical ownership registrations
- Italian PRA ownership certificate
- ASI Historic Identity Certificate
- Duplicate ASI certificate from 2017
- Mercedes-Benz Italia certificate regarding seating
- Mercedes-Benz Italia approval letter for tire sizes
- Mercedes-Benz Italia technical approval letter
- Original Mercedes-Benz 220 S instruction/maintenance book
- Official inspection stamps
- Historical payment proofs
- Historical ownership documents

The documented ownership history also spans many decades. Several historic owners can be traced through the original registration documents, payment proofs, ASI documentation and official correspondence. The long Italian provenance thus forms an important part of the character of this car.

In summary, this is a very well-documented Mercedes-Benz 220 S Ponton Cabriolet from 1957, finished in the historically established combination Graphite Grey with brown leather. The matching-numbers chassis and engine, the official ASI certification, the original Italian registration documents and the extensive Mercedes-Benz Italia documentation make this a particularly interesting example for enthusiasts and collectors.

The seller can assist with worldwide transportation and shipping.

FACTORY OPTIONS:

Besides the already very complete standard equipment, this Mercedes-Benz was equipped with additional options:
- Whitewall tires – 250 DM
- Becker radio – 450 DM
- Dashboard clock – 100 DM

Total original value of these additional options: 800 DM.

TECHNICAL DATA:

Brand: Mercedes-Benz
Type: 220 S Ponton Cabriolet
Year of production: 1957
Color: 190G Graphite Grey
Engine: 2.2-liter (2,195 cc) six-cylinder inline engine (matching numbers)
Fuel: Gasoline
Transmission: Manual four-speed
Current indicated mileage: 16,712 km
Registration: Italian plate
Chassis number: 180030N7511178
Engine number: 180940-059515

EXTRA INFORMATION:
- No COC document required for registration within Europe (due to age)
- This car is offered with an Italian plate, meaning the car is ready for use on Italian/European roads.
- Photos are part of the description.
- On request a walk-around video can be provided with running engine.
- Seller can assist with worldwide transport.

The car can be viewed and picked up in Schiedam, Netherlands. All technical inspections, test drives, and viewings are possible before placing a bid. For any questions you can contact the auctioneer.