Mercedes-Benz

Introduced in March 1954, the 220a was a more luxurious and up-scale version of the W120 model 180 with a wheelbase stretched by 170 mm. The increase in length was necessary to accommodate the longer six-cylinder 2,196 cc engine taken from the W187 model 220. From the side, these six-cylinder cars can readily be distinguished from their shorter four-cylinder siblings by the extra "quarter light" windows incorporated in the rear doors.

The 220a was succeeded in March 1956 by the 220 S, which was externally almost identical, but had an upgraded version of the engine due to the use of twin-carburetors. The 220 S featured a new one piece front bumper, instead of the 3-piece bumper used on the 220a. The 220 S was available with a 4-speed column shift manual transmission, with an optional Hydrak automatic clutch. Also introduced with the 220 S was the 219, which from the a-pillar forward was essentially a 220a, but rearward from the a-pillar it used the shorter body of the W120/W121 180/190 models. In July 1956 a convertible joined the line-up, and in October 1956 a coupé version.

1956

1958