Mercedes-Benz W128
Encyclopedia
The Mercedes-Benz W128 was a 6-cylinder automobile
that was available in sedan, coupé
, or cabriolet body styles
and produced from October, 1958 to August, 1959 (Cabriolet A/C and Coupé to November, 1960). 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 a 2.2 L (2195 cc) straight 6 gasoline engine (M127) 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). 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.
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
that was available in sedan, coupé
Coupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
, or cabriolet body styles
Car body style
Automobiles' body styles are highly variable. Some body styles remain in production, while others become less common or obsolete. They may or may not correlate to a car's price, size or intended market classification. The same car model might be available in multiple body styles comprising a...
and produced from October, 1958 to August, 1959 (Cabriolet A/C and Coupé to November, 1960). Its main model, the 220SE, was the last of the "Ponton
Mercedes-Benz Ponton
The Ponton was Daimler-Benz's first totally new Mercedes-Benz series of passenger vehicles produced after World War II. In July 1953, the cars replaced the pre-war-designed Type 170 series and were the bulk of the automaker's production through 1959, though some models lasted through 1962.The...
" series which had design roots and styling cues beginning in 1953 with the Mercedes-Benz 180 sedan (W120
Mercedes-Benz W120
The Mercedes-Benz W120 and W121 "Ponton" cars were produced from 1953 through 1962. They were sold under the "'180" and "190" model names....
chassis).
The 220SE featured a unitized body/frame construction and fully independent suspension. All models were fitted with a 2.2 L (2195 cc) straight 6 gasoline engine (M127) with aluminum head, overhead camshaft, and Bosch mechanical fuel injection. An automatic clutch was available with the column-mounted 4-speed manual transmission
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
.
At the time, the cabriolet was priced similar to Cadillac's Eldorado Biarritz
Cadillac Eldorado
The 1953 Eldorado was a special-bodied, low-production convertible . It was the production version of the 1952 El Dorado "Golden Anniversary" concept car, and borrowed bumper bullets from the 1951 GM Le Sabre show car...
(DM 23,400/$ 8,091). 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
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
were not available. In the S-Class lineage, the W128 was succeeded by the "Fintail" series starting with the W111
Mercedes-Benz W111
The Mercedes-Benz W111 was a chassis code given to its top-range vehicles, including 4-door sedans, produced from 1959 to 1968, and 2-door coupes and cabriolets from 1961 to 1971. The W111, was initially attributed only to 6-cylinder cars with 2.2 litre engines. The luxury version with big-block 3...
line.
Production
| Body | Units |
|---|---|
| Sedan | 1,974 |
| Coupé | 830 |
| Cabriolet | 1,112 |