Mercedes-Benz W128
| Mercedes-Benz W128 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz |
| Production | 1958–1960 3,916 built[1] |
| Assembly | Germany Port Melbourne, Australia [2] |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Luxury car / Executive car |
| Body style | 4-door sedan 2-door coupe 2-door cabriolet |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2.2 L M127 straight-6 |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 111 in (2,819 mm) in (sedan) 106.3 in (2,700 mm) (coupé or cabriolet) |
The Mercedes-Benz W128 was a 6-cylinder luxury car produced by Mercedes-Benz from 1958 to 1960. It was available in sedan, coupé, or cabriolet body styles. Its main model, the 220SE, was the last of the "Ponton" series which had design roots and styling cues beginning in 1953 with the Mercedes-Benz 180 sedan (W120 chassis).
The 220SE featured a unitized body/frame construction and fully independent suspension. All models were fitted with Mercedes' M127 2.2 L (2195 cc) straight 6 gasoline engine with aluminum head, overhead camshaft, and Bosch mechanical fuel injection. An automatic clutch was available with the column-mounted 4-speed manual transmission.
At the time, the cabriolet was priced similar to Cadillac's Eldorado Biarritz (DM 23,400/$8,091[3]). Nearly every interior surface of the coupé and cabriolet was covered in leather, and matching leather luggage was available. However, power steering, windows, air conditioning, and an automatic transmission were not available. In the S-Class lineage, the W128 was succeeded by the "Fintail" series starting with the W111 line.
Models
The 220SE sedan was produced from October, 1958 to August, 1959; and a 220S A Coupé and 220SE C Cabriolet to November, 1960)
Production
| Body | Units |
|---|---|
| Sedan | 1,974 |
| Coupé | 830 |
| Cabriolet | 1,112 |
Later models
The 220SE model designation lived on for a few more years with the 1959 220SEb (chassis W111) "fin-body" sedans and the 1961 220SEb coupé and cabriolet.
References
- ^ Werner Oswald: Deutsche Autos 1945-1990, vol. 4. Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart 2001, ISBN 3-613-02131-5, p. 31-38.
- ^ An Australian Mercedes-Benz? - www.mbspares.com.au Retrieved on 1 November 2012
- ^ Mike Covello: Standard Catalog of Imported Cars 1946-2002. Krause Publication, Iola 2002, p. 531; price for 220SEb.