1958 | Mercedes-Benz 220 S Cabriolet

This beautiful, very impressive and rare RHD manual floor change Mercedes Benz 220S Cabriolet was manufactured on the 1st April 1958, built in Germany and ordered in RHD specification for its first owner who at the time was based in South Africa. With only a reported 20 cars manufactured new in RHD, and only 7 in 1958 this is an incredibly rare, sought after motor car. The car was ordered with UK spec instruments, export fittings for South Africa to include export lights and engine for countries over 2000m altitude. The Mercedes Benz was ordered and purchased new by Donald Frank Saunders in Johannesburg, at the time he was Managing Director of Canada Dry International and the car remained a one owner car for 24 years. The Mercedes Benz was used as the first owners everyday car and when Mr Saunders returned to the UK in 1976, he brought the Mercedes Benz back with him to Sussex.

The car was maintained during its early life by Mercedes Services in Johannesburg and by 1965 the car had covered 53244 miles. In 1968 Richter Motors Ltd serviced the car and a year later it was with Mercedes Benz main dealership Cargo Motor Corp Ltd at 82,078 miles. In 1976 the first owner shipped the car to Southampton and on arrival it was steam cleaned, waxoyled, polished and subject of some gearbox work. In 1978, in Brighton still with its first owner, the car was fully re-painted by Leeds Motor Company in Eastbourne and a new hood supplied and fitted by The Car Hood Company. The 220S was then serviced in Shoreham-by-Sea at 92394 miles. In 1992 the 220S was sold to a Mr Taylor of Huddersfield Garages Ltd, a Company we knew very well. They were Huddersfield's Mercedes Benz main dealership and after six years of ownership, they sold the vehicle to a lady on the outskirts of the West Yorkshire town where it stayed until the late 1990's. Between 1997 and 1999 the Mercedes Benz was in the Manchester area and from here, the next chapter began for this very interesting and rare car.




In 1999 it was purchased by a long term owner in Jersey who by 2018 transported the Mercedes Benz to a classic car restorer in the UK requiring a program of re-furbishment work. The bodywork and paintwork were found to be in very good order, so the focus of work was to be mechanical and interior. The engine was stripped down and rebuilt having been unused for many years and the car overhauled mechanically with work carried out on the braking, cooling and fuel system. The heating system was also overhauled as required. The interior was very carefully treated to a re-furbishment program that included a high quality, tailored carpet set, careful renovation of the Grey leather trim work, and at huge expense a brand new hood and hood bag made for the car. Further to this the wood dashboard and door capping's were restored to a very high standard. A huge level of work was put into sourcing original parts from specialists in Germany , for example rear seat back catches and also specialist restoration of certain parts in Germany such as the engine bay heat ducting. On completion of the work the Mercedes was gently run in and has covered just 500 miles since.




WSJ 478 presents beautifully with an impressive high quality older paint finish. The chrome work is of a very good standard and the interior beautifully finished and presented. The hood is equally as impressive being almost new. The rebuilt engine offers lots of confidence, its strong, fit and healthy offering excellent performance. The 220S drives incredibly well, it holds the road nicely, manual gear changes are smooth and its relaxed, luxurious and very comfortable for four people. The 220S is a striking, wonderful looking car, it's a true timeless classic and with such low production of RHD cars, it makes this a very collectible car, but due to its first class design and build quality, it's a reliable, strong robust car that can be driven and enjoyed on a regular basis without hesitation. Whether a museum collectors piece, or a large four seater classic for local, or long distance driving, this 220S Cabriolet is ideal.