These very collectible cabriolets and coupes are referred to as 'Ponton' cars, a nod to the front suspension sub-frame design. When it first came out, a German journalist likened it to a pontoon or bridge spanning the engine bay.

With its reputation for solid and reliable automobiles well established, the Mercedes-Benz 220 models, internally designated W128, were a definite cut above the entry-level 180-Series cars, which entered production in the early 1950s. Starting in 1954, a number of six-cylinder variants capitalized on the growing demand among buyers for increased power. The 220 (1954 to 1956), the 219 (1956 to 1959), 220S (1956 to 1959) and 220SE (1959 to 1960) provided abundant horsepower and torque, packaged in the smaller body style. Only the 220S (Super) and 220SE (Super, Fuel Injected) engines were available in the top-of-the-line cabriolet design.

The 220SE coupe and cabriolet were luxuriously appointed and trimmed, offering many of the amenities associated with Mercedes-Benz’s limited-production 300-series cars. The dash, door finish and other parts of the hand-built interior were covered in wood veneers of fabulous burled grain accents. Seats and interior trim were superior Roser surface-dyed leather hides, complemented by the highest-quality Wilton wool carpets. The ultimate W128 model was the 220SE Cabriolet, introduced in 1959 and produced during a short time frame through October 1960.

Presented in red with a black interior and black canvas soft-top; this is reported as a frame-off restored car. This 220SE is driven by the 2,195-cc, 130-hp inline six-cylinder engine that is backed by a three-speed manual transmission. The restoration is stated to be wonderfully executed and displays a clean engine bay, nice black leather interior, attractive wooden dash and interior trim elements with a good overall expression of style. The 220SE has color-keyed factory wheel covers, whitewall tires ad Becker Grand Prix AM/FM radio.

Only 1,112 of the highly respected 220SE cabriolets were built, with another 830 coupes from mid-1958 through November 1960. Priced from $8,091 when new, the 220SE Cabriolet was similar in cost to Cadillac’s contemporary Eldorado Biarritz Convertible. For the period, this was an astronomical price; a new Rolls-Royce or Ferrari was only marginally more expensive at approximately $12,000 in cost. These have been special cars from the day they were first built.