Mercedes-Benz 220, 187 series (1951 to 1954)

At the first Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA) in April 1951, Daimler-Benz presented the 220 and 300 passenger cars. Aside from its 2.2-liter engine with 80 hp (59 kW), the 220 was largely based on the 170 S. Running gear and body were almost identical, although the headlamps were now integrated into the specially modified front fen-ders. Production of the 200 sedan came to an end in May 1954.

Mercedes-Benz 220 a, 219 and 220 S and 220 SE, 180/128 series (1954 to 1959)

In March 1954 Mercedes-Benz introduced the new 220. This decidedly modern overall design bore similarities to the 180 model that had gone into production six months earlier. The 200 now also boasted a self-supporting ponton-type body structure welded firmly to the frame/floor unit. It was also the first Mercedes-Benz production car to benefit from the single-joint swing axle with low pivot point, which had been developed for the W 196 Formula One racing car. The brake sys-tem was also much improved: The 220 a was given ribbed brake drums with “turbo cooling” on all four wheels. In March 1956, two years after the presentation of the 220 a, the 219 and 220 S were in-troduced as successors to the first six-cylinder model a with ponton-type body. In September 1958 Mercedes-Benz presented the new six-cylinder 220 SE model. Delivery started in November.

Mercedes-Benz 220 b, 220 Sb, 220 SEb, 300 SE, 111/112 series (1959 to 1965)

In August 1959, the existing six-cylinder models were succeeded by three completely redesigned models under the slogan: “The new six-cylinders – in a class of their own.” These were the 220 b, 220 Sb and 220 SEb. The new model series set new standards in terms of passive safety, incorporating for the first time in a production car the Barényi-patented rigid passenger cell with front and rear crumple zones. In Au-gust 1961, the new premium-class 300 SE model was introduced. In addition to having four-speed automatic transmission and the newly developed power steering, the basic equipment package also included air suspension – featured for the first time in a Mercedes-Benz pas-senger car and offering a combination of sporty ride characteristics together with outstanding suspension comfort.

Mercedes-Benz 250 S – 300 SE, 300 SEL – 300 SEL 6.3, 108/109 series (1965 to 1971)

In August 1965 came the generation that included the 250 S, 250 SE and 300 SE models designed by Paul Bracq. And in March 1966, the model range was expanded to include the 300 SEL, the wheelbase of which was 100 millimeters longer than the basic model. It also had air suspension as standard. Production of the 250 SE and 300 SE ended at the start of 1968. That January saw the introduction of the succes-sor models 280 S and 280 SE, which differed from their predecessors only in respect of engine and equipment details. In March 1968 came the top-of-the-range 300 SEL 6.3, which boasted the V8 engine and automatic transmission of the 600, thus enabling it to match the po-tential output of a top-quality sports car. Production of the highly suc-cessful W 108/W 109 model series came to an end in September 1972.